Anyone own a drilling?

[CJNJ]

Am lately buying too many shotguns and rifles but, nonetheless thinking of getting a drilling for the hell of it. I like the looks of some of them, and the 16 gauge over 7x57R seems like a potentially useful combination in PA deer, bear, coyote, pheasant lands. Does anyone here own one who can give me advice?
Thanks.
Craig

 

[Fixfire]

Here’s is a tread on my Krieghoff in 7 x 57 and 12ga

Thread 'Krieghoff Drillings'

Dec 17, 2023

Walked in to the local high-end shotgun shop this weekend. They received a Krieghoff Drillings as part of a trade chambered in 7 x 57 and 12ga (2.5”). They don’t sell anything vintage and practically paid me to take this gun! Gun is phenomenal with pristine bores, other than handling marks it practically looks unfired.

Looking for any information our members can provide and/or any reference sources - electronic or otherwise (Double Gun Journal?) I could use to research this gun. My Google search provided sparse info.

Looking forward to sourcing some ammo to shoot and/or take to my...

• Fixfire
• Replies: 19
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

• 

 

[CJNJ]

Am also looking at a Krieghoff

 

[Fixfire]

I too am from PA but haven’t had it out in the field - only range.

 

[Challer]

I have 2 Blaser BBFs with 12/30-06, 30-06/30-06, 20/Hornet barrels. Work great if you are in an environment where you might take different types of game - old walk around hunting OR are limited in how many you can own - EU. They are loads of fun but not very practical in the US.

 

[MTJumbo]

My drillings are both 16x16x9.3x72R. They are old German made pieces. IMO, check the shotgun chambers for the size of 16 ga. shell that will fit into the chamber. Mine are for 2 1/2" length. Hardly anyone stocks 16 gauge shells anymore, let alone 2 1/2". They must be ordered. Another caveat. The rifle chamber may need to be cast to be sure that it is as marketed. Some older German rifle bores are not true to being as advertised. Also, slug the bore. 9.3 mm is .366 But copper plated bullets in 296 grain need to be swaged to .363 but they bounce back to .364" which is the correct size for my rifles. Shooting the drillings is a lot of fun.

 

[375er]

I do. Dm me and we can chat.

 

[MontanaGrant]

I’ve owned a bunch. I love them. But they have their quirks. Lots of moving parts, pretty delicate. So in no particular order:

#1. Pay a bit more to get one from a reputable seller who has measured chamber length on the shotgun and has confirmed rifle caliber. They’ll also stand behind it if the gun shows up with a function issue.

#2. Stay with a “name brand”. Sauer, Heym etc may have been guild guns but they are still better quality than some of the ones with no stamped name upon them.

#3. In my opinion the best handling combination is the 7x57R under twin 2.75” 16 gauges. Easy to find ammunition. Any larger and balance starts going off. I’d avoid a 12 gauge drilling myself. I didn’t own but handled a 20 gauge and it was nice but they bring a premium over 16 gauges which still handle nicely.

#4. Likewise my OWN opinion there’s no need to pay a premium for one with an optic. Often ones with cloudy or broke. Optics bring a lot less money. It’s worth getting those and shelving the optic. They’re meant to handle like a shotgun and I don’t foresee using the rifle barrel over 150 yards. It’s often difficult to anyway as the optics are usually mounted so high as to be unnatural to handle

 

[analog_peninsula]

The 16ga tri-barrel drillings tend to be much less blocky than their 12ga counterparts. I second the previous recommendations to focus on the 16ga if you want two shotgun barrels.

 

[luger6]

I would say that a Drilling is a must for the type of hunting we do in Europe. My Karl Hauptmann 16x7-65R is the gun that is most often taken out into the fresh air. I have just bought a Juch in 20x7-65R which I find a bit more agile. If you have the Drilling with you, you are prepared for all eventualities, from hare to moose.

 

[Muskox]

I do not own one.

I see the absolute utility, but do not understand the need or want here in Germany (which is odd as they are common, and commonly produced).

Here is my expert opinion. .

1. They are never in the correct combination of cartridges or shot shells that you would actually want. For the hunt you want to do.

A 7x65R and 12 or 20 gauge would be ok for roe deer. And maybe you could do a close range fox with the shotgun. We don't normally get to hunt birds in Germany during rifle hunts.

2. They are heavy, some are crazy heavy.

3. They are expensive, a new drilling is a 10,000 Euro prospect on the bottom end. Used drillings have issues, the sub 2000 Euro used drillings start having serious issues.

Here are some ideas though. With my 2 cents.

A mountain gun: Bockdrilling in 30 Blaser or 8x57R or 7x65R, 2nd barrel 5,6x50R or 222, and 20 Gauge. If you hunted Austria for grouse and could get a spring roe buck or gams (chamois) open in May or April during your capercaillie hunt. This would be a good option and wouldn't be so crazy heavy. This would also work really well in Southern Sweden, Finland or Norway doing the same hunts but in the winter, plus moose, reindeer and stags.

I would never want one for a driven hunt in mainland Europe, unless you were shooting foxes in the face at your feet. Then I would want a 9,3x74R double rifle drilling with a 20 gauge barrel below it. This would be great for driven hunts. Plus give you a shot gauge with 2's or 4's for foxes. But since I mostly hunt federal lands, foxes are protected. So this isn't happening. I prefer a straight pull or a pure double rifle. Or a Browning BLR would be awesome.

Everyone that I know that has one has specialist rifles that are better at the task at hand.

1. a lighter rifle for the mountains.
2. a faster rifle with more versatility for for driven hunts
3. a more powerful rifle for red stag rut.

My buddy who is an agent in Austria and hunts all over the world only uses his combination gun on predator hunts, and only because he fitted night vision to it.

 

[CJNJ]

Here’s is a tread on my Krieghoff in 7 x 57 and 12ga

Thread 'Krieghoff Drillings'

Dec 17, 2023

Walked in to the local high-end shotgun shop this weekend. They received a Krieghoff Drillings as part of a trade chambered in 7 x 57 and 12ga (2.5”). They don’t sell anything vintage and practically paid me to take this gun! Gun is phenomenal with pristine bores, other than handling marks it practically looks unfired.

Looking for any information our members can provide and/or any reference sources - electronic or otherwise (Double Gun Journal?) I could use to research this gun. My Google search provided sparse info.

Looking forward to sourcing some ammo to shoot and/or take to my...

• Fixfire
• Replies: 19
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

• 

Yours is beautiful!

 

[CJNJ]

I would say that a Drilling is a must for the type of hunting we do in Europe. My Karl Hauptmann 16x7-65R is the gun that is most often taken out into the fresh air. I have just bought a Juch in 20x7-65R which I find a bit more agile. If you have the Drilling with you, you are prepared for all eventualities, from hare to moose.
View attachment 783265View attachment 783266View attachment 783267View attachment 783268

Nice rifle

 

[luger6]

I'm not a young man anymore but I can still carry the crazy weight of 3.2-3.8kg. 7-65R is a cartridge that works on all game in our country including moose and wild boar. I use US No. 3 in the shotgun barrels and it works on deer and fox out to 35m. Today I use the drilling mostly on driven hunts for deer, fox and hare. If there are pigs and moose on the program I take the double rifle drilling.

 

[thriller]

Am lately buying too many shotguns and rifles but, nonetheless thinking of getting a drilling for the hell of it. I like the looks of some of them, and the 16 gauge over 7x57R seems like a potentially useful combination in PA deer, bear, coyote, pheasant lands. Does anyone here own one who can give me advice?
Thanks.
Craig

I have 3 total I have 2 in 12x30-06 and one in 12x 7x65r the 12 ga are heavier and more expensive but I have found them more useful than 16ga I have used

 

[thriller]

Also one of the things that has to be considered is the scope and mount situation. It can be pretty expensive to change up the configuration. If you’re lucky you might find one with 1 inch or 30mm rings on a claw mount. I would be more wary of more custom looking ones.

 

[CJNJ]

Based on your advice and @MontanaGrant, I am leaning to one without a scope.

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

I’ve shot a lot of coons/possums with a 22over410

 

[roland hester]

I have several and they are fun. I agree with Montana grant except on the optics. Most have detachable mounts and it is very hard to change scopes. This obviously only applies to used. Check out the save the fine guns website. George and tobi are great and can find what you want. The are reputable and will take the gun back and give you your money back if you are not satisfied

 

[CJNJ]

Will do. thx for tip