doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGuns For Sale @ doublegunshop.com WTB: Drilling for an Alaskan project gun

I live in Alaska. I have long thought that the ideal brush gun for hunting and bear protection would be a drilling. One can load slugs in the shotgun tubes for fast-handling bear defense (essentially a double-rifle) and still have a rifle for short-range game taking. (Every animal I have taken in Alaska, including moose, caribou, brown bear, and black bear have been within 100 yards.) It would also be useful for taking grouse, ptarmigan, and hares for camp meat.

I often hunt with a fine Muchler drilling in 16x16x8x57JR, and have taken caribou and bears with her. But she is too nice to carry in inclement weather or heavy brush. The 8x57JR round is also a bit light for moose and bear.

I am seeking a drilling chambered in 12 or 16 gauge with a rifle chambered in either .308, .30-06, 7X65R, 9.3x74R, 11.15mm or other rifle of SUITABLE FOOT POUNDS for ethically taking large game. I am not afraid of obsolete rounds as I have reloaded for obsolete rounds before, but a readily-available cartridge is preferred.

The gun I seek should be a FIELD gun - one that has been used and is not a safe queen. Neither should it be a collector piece. Maybe the finish is worn. Maybe the stock has dings and scuffs. It could be a guild gun without a marker’s name. And it does not require a scope. In fact, a lack of scope mounts is preferred as it will be a sub-100 yard gun where iron sights are used.

Although the finish is not important, the gun must be mechanically sound, with all there locks and the safety in working order. And it should be tight on face. I am reasonably competent with minor gun repairs, so small issues such as a barrel dent, missing sight, or small crack should not be an issue.

It CANNOT be an exposed hammer gun. I want hammerless only.

It CANNOT be an under-lever gun. I want a traditional top lever action only.

Obviously, the gun I seek should not be a super fine piece. I would like something in the price range of a quality, modern bolt action rifle with a quality scope. I’m open to negotiations, so please don’t think I’m being cheap. I know what drillings are worth. But I’m not wanting an expensive piece.

I realize that I’m being picky and this a long shot, but I have a vision of what I want and I’m enjoying the search for just the right gun. I recently located the perfect gun for me only to discover it is in Canada and they won’t ship to the USA! I’ve been watching Gun Broker for a long time, but the gun I seek hasn’t popped up yet. The drilling I already own I found on this forum, so I’m hopeful one of you has a gun for me.

PM me if you have a drilling that might suit my needs. Thanks for taking the time to read this long post.

Have the owner of the gun you like ship it to a Canadian dealer who will ship to a USA FFL dealer. I notice that you regard the 11.15 as acceptable. Do you have a source of ammo for the 11.15X65 caliber? I have a Sauer 11.15X65 barrel on a drilling but no source of ammunition.

I have used drillings and combos for years. I suggest only rimmed cases, as extraction is very difficult with rimless cases. My choice for rifle barrel in AK would be 9.3X74R; for shotgun: 12 gauge. If you don't like greener side safes (I hate them) a Merkel or later Krieghoff are probably you best choice. They have tang safeties. Sauers have side safes but are cheaper and more readily available. If you want a scope buy a gun with one already installed. Adding one will cost $1500 or more.

Crockett
I have hunted for around 60 years with various drillings and have pretty strong feelings about them based on that experience. I find 12 ga. drillings too heavy and wide to handle very lively. Also, you didn't mention a desired barrel length, but I find a 60 cm barrel length to the most useful. Meffert was known for making what you referred to as field grade (plain) drillings and were one of the first to use Dural receivers, resulting in pretty lightweight drillings. Unfortunately, there are not as many Meffert drillings around as others. I think your best chance to find would be a Sauer & Sohn (prewar or very early post war Suhl made), they also made some pretty plain ones along with more ornate ones. I believe you would be most satisfied with a Sauer or Meffert 16x16-9.3x74R with 60 cm barrels. While I believe a drilling is most useful when it is fit with a scope in either claw or swing mounts and a rimfire einstecklauf (insert barrel) I understand your reasons to avoid them and since it is your money, you get to buy whatever you want. You might want to check with T&G German-Gun- Imports, or Simpson Ltd. I have no relationship with either company.
Good luck with your search.
Mike

eight bore - Thanks for the suggestion on shipping to a Canadian FFL. I do not have a source for 11.5 reloading components. I did some research on reloading for the 11.5 rounds using a .45-90 case as a base and molding some bullets, but it was only preliminary research. I don’t have anything chambered in 11.5 at the moment. If I found something in that size, I would have to do some digging.

Vol423 - Thanks for the suggestion on sticking to rimmed cases. I have never used a rimless break action, but can see how they might cause issues. I agree the 9.3x74R would be a great round. I’m finding few drillings in that chambering and they are expensive.

Der Ami - I agree that a 12 ga double would be unwieldy. I much prefer 16 ga. But I have found that most drillings with larger rifles tend to accompany 12 ga bores. I think a 16x16x9.3x74 would be ideal, I’m just not finding many available, especially at a price I’m willing to pay. I appreciate the suggestions on vendors and I will check those out.

https://www.proxibid.com/Guns-Milit...NAL-BOX/lotInformation/88382016#topoflot

https://www.proxibid.com/Guns-Milit...X57-JRS/lotInformation/88382015#topoflot 8x57 JRS will have no problem with a moos out to at least 150 yards.

Thanks Mike. Those are both beautiful, but a bit too beautiful for the conditions I would be hunting in. I’m looking for something less refined or at least more used.

I’ve seen a few 8x57JRS guns, but the gun I have is an 8x57JR and I don’t want any .323 bullets in my house for fear I might load an oversized bullet in a .318 bore. I keep .318 bullets on hand for a couple 8x57JR guns. A 9.3x74R would be an excellent round for Alaska.

Crockett I live in Sterling. I bought a double hammergun in .450x3 1/4" a couple of months ago. The bores are in great condition but someone didn't take care of it and the outside of the receiver and locks have lots of pitting. Just right to take out after a moose in our less than perfect September conditions. Going with me next fall.

Where are you getting the .319 bullets?

Try here

https://www.buffaloarms.com/search/?q=318%20bullets