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

Mike, That sounds great! Best wishes on the hunt. Maybe we can get together sometime. I’m in Wasilla.

Buffalo Arms has .319 bullets sometimes. I have some in 150, 170 and 196 grain. You can also check with Old West Scrounger. I also found some from Woodleigh years ago. A local bullet maker made me a couple hundred lead gas checks that work well too. But my biggest haul was a guy in Seward who was liquidating his stock and sold me about twenty boxes of loaded Sellier & Belloit 8x57JR ammo. I will pull those bullets and reload them to at a higher velocity since the S&B stuff is pretty anemic.

I’m thinking you may have to broaden your search.

I know what you want, and why you want it. That piece would be far, far more common in Eastern Europe, than in the US. You might have to start looking on European websites, and think about hiring an importer, here in the states, to move this project along. Just a casual observation I’ve made over the years is that drillings seem to sell quickly and for a premium here, maybe just because they are not very common. There once were specific laws regarding what ammunition you could have on your person during what season (rifled slugs prior to or post deer season were verboten in Minnesota, there may be others) that would limit the versatility of a drilling in these parts. Don’t misunderstand me, in a place like Canada, Alaska, or the Kamchatka peninsula, I get it.

Years ago there was a Canadien gunsmith who did work for American clients, and brought guns back and forth through Port Huron, if I am not mistaken. Can’t remember his name, but, a guy like that might be useful to complete a sale with a gun that was located in Canada.

Good luck. I hope you can find what you are looking for.

Best,
Ted

There is no need to involve Canadians in any transaction. Your gun may be shipped directly to an FFL holder in Alaska (I was a dealer for years...)

That may be totally correct, but, fails to recognize that dealers, both Canadian and American, often have no desire to involve themselves with the intricacies of international law involving anything firearms related.

Seen it, first hand.

I was an importer for 20+ years.

Best,
Ted

The OP stated that his seller will not ship to the USA. Last time I looked, Alaska was in the USA.

Thanks for all the advice. I have started looking at a couple Canadian websites and have asked the US Customs what is needed to import a gun. I don’t know of any Eastern European dealers so if anyone has a website to share, please do.

I’m watching at a couple dealers here in the US. I think patience is the name of the game. Eventually, what I want will pop up.

It isn't difficult to import from Canada You need to employ a Type 8 FFL. He will know what to do. There is an outfit in Canada called Prophet River who has dealers set up in both countries. Try them first. Also contact THE ATTIC from North Dakota They sell on gunbroker and buy in Europe. They might be able to do a custom search for you.

While I agree that 16 gauge drillings are lighter and livelier, 12 gauge guns are easier to find ammo for. Get a gun with 2-3/4" chambers.


Also don't expect a drilling to shoot slugs well. Most aren't regulated with them. My favorite Merkel 16x16x 9.3X74R was regulated for Brenneke 2-1/2" slugs in the right barrel. Can't kit a thing with the left barrel. Brenneke still sells 2-1/2" 16 ga slugs. I have 50 boxes of them.

Crockett,
Don't worry too much about carrying a pretty gun to the woods, modern rust preventives are much better than the old ones, also "roll up/foldup" poplin gun sleeves (even homemade) take up very little room in a pocket and provide a surprising amount of protection. The major difference between 8x57IR and 8x57IRS is better bullets are available in/for 8x57IRS, as they are very similar, ballistically, with a small advantage going to the IRS. The "H-Mantel" and "TUG" type bullets are much preferred over the simple "soft point" when large or dangerous game is involved. Some 8x57IR guns can be used with .323" bullets, if the chamber neck is large enough that a .323" bullet will easily slip into a case fired in the rifle. The bullet being "jammed" in a case that can't expand to release it is the main cause of excess pressure. A .323" bullet fired in a .318" barrel will be .318" by the time it travels its own length in the barrel, as long as it can start moving before the pressure builds up (the actual groove diameter in many "IR" barrels is over .318", anyway). Also, "cup and core" bullets can be sized to .318" from .323", but not monolithic or partition bullets. Since you have a gun that will work, you can take the time necessary to find one that is ideal. Good luck in your search.
Mike

Thanks Vol423. I will checked into those Canada-related options you suggested. FYI, Prophet River will not import into the US. They recommended BORDERVIEW and they will import into our country. Good to know. I have a pretty substantial cache of 16 ga ammo because everyone seems to be “I used to have one” at guns shows and sells their unwanted 16 ga shells cheap. My drilling shoots the Brenneke slugs fairly well, but I wouldn’t trust them for hunting accuracy. I’m only interested in slugs for up close and personal effect on charging bears. And I hope I never need to do that!


Thanks Mike. That’s some good stuff to think about. I do see many more 8x57JRS guns available.

Borderview is a real good operator. They know what they are doing.