Drilling back up question

[Georg]

Hi,
My first post on this fantastic and newly found forum.
Have a question for you about drilling as a back up for follow up on leopards and possible smaller potential hazardeous like bushbok. What is the experise opinion on a drilling in the 12/12 - 9,3x74r configuration with a aimpoint micro? Other preference for follow ups on these types?

 

[Longwalker]

I've recently purchased a 12-12/9.3x74R drilling and I am interested in the responses that you will receive. Seems like a reasonable idea to me.

 

[Longwalker]

No replies?

 

[IvW]

I have used a "poormans double" 12/12 sxs Brno sidelock with barrels shortened to 24" and a ghost ring rear sight fitted very succesfully using only Brenneke original slugs.

I have also used a 12ga/9.3x74R for the same purpose, this one has 28" barrels and although it has a small flip up rear sight I just shoot over the barrels and use the front sight.

A drilling you will have 3 barrels but still only 2 shots. You will have to re cock and select the 3rd barrel before you can fire it.
Confusion under pressure could lead to issues.
Select the barrels you want to use before the time and use those two.

Also practice firing with only one hand....yes wounded leopard attacks are frighteningly fast and instinct will have you raising your non shooting arm to protect yourself....so in essense practice "feeding" it your non shooting arm and shooting it with one hand your shooting hand.

Drillings for traditional use will have 24 to 28 inch barrels, for general hunting use the longer barrels are better for this type of work the shirter barrels are obviously better

Drillings and combination guns are facinating weapons.....

 

[Had213]

The 12/12 9.3x74R drilling like Merkel, Sauer, or similar European combos is a classic and highly regarded setup for leopard follow ups in Africa tons of PHs and hunters run similar configs 12/12/9.3x74R exactly for wounded cat work or bushbuck medium game backup.

9.3x74R 286gr softnose or solid at 2400 fps has plenty of punch for leopard deep penetration, good expansion on vitals, handles bushbuck easily, and it's legal minimum in most areas for DG backup.

Twin 12 gauge barrels Brenneke slugs preferred give instant follow up shots without cycling huge edge on a charging leaping cat in thick stuff faster than bolt or double rifle reload.

Versatile slugs for close urgent, birdshot for plains game or birds if needed.

Balanced, quick handling gun short barrels keep it maneuverable in bush.

Aimpoint Micro H-1/H-2 on it? Super fast target acquisition paste the 2 MOA dot and go, parallax free, both eyes open for snap shots, bombproof military grade, low weight, long battery 50k hours. Many hunters mount am on drillings doubles for dangerous game big win in low light dense cover or when adrenaline hits. Some purists hate optics on classics aesthetic, weight on barrel rib, and mounting needs a solid base drill tap rib or use clamp on. Dot can bloom in bright sun if not adjusted, but modern Micros handle it well.

Pure double rifle .375 H&H or .416 Rigby for pure stopping power but slower second shot).

Bolt action .375/.416 with quick-detach scope more accurate at distance but slower cycle.

Pump slug gun Win M12 12ga as backup fast follow ups, cheap.

But for combo versatility speed, your 12/12-9.3x74R drilling with a red dot is hard to beat many call it the poor man's double for cats.

 

[grand veneur]

A controversial topic that has been discussed before on various Forums.

I have no experience hunting big cats, let alone tracking them when they are wounded, but I am familiar with the drillings, and therefore I would be somewhat cautious about using such a weapon for dangerous actions. Several adjustments have to be made to the rifle to ensure that the correct barrel is used. Whether all of this will under pressure proceed without problems in all cases, is uncertain. Mistakes happen even under optimal conditions by shooting from a Hochsitz.

For this reason, I would like to hear the opinions of the many PH who are experienced in tracking wounded leopards.

 

[Nhoro]

Personally, I think that your first thought should be towards the gun that you are most familiar with. When you see how often people are left yanking on the trigger because someone forgot the safety or the safety is in a different place eg shifting from a CZ side safety to a shotgun tang safety. Does your drilling meet that criteria.

Secondly, I would assume the drilling serves as a shotgun with buckshot and the 9,3 for a little distance. I would not use buckshot at all. The pellets simply do not have the penetration to reach the brain or reliably reach the heart.A shotgun slug would be good as IvW suggests, I know a few PHs that use a semi auto slug gun. Personally I would use my 458 Lott because I am familiar with it but second choice would be a semi auto slug gun if I had one and practise with it.

 

[grand veneur]

I my opinion, for people who prefer shotguns for such actions, a double shotgun or a pump gun 12 gauge, without chokes and loaded with slugs, is a better medecine then a drilling.

 

[grand veneur]

Combination guns offer advantages for some hunts, but not when it comes to hunting dangerous game species, and certainly not to follow them when wounded.

There were so-called Tropen-drillinge that had a big bore barrel, but I doubt that such weapons were built based on a great practical experience. More likely, they were in the past orders from inexperienced clients.