I finally bought a shotgun... sorta...

[matt85]

The area I hunt deer in has tons of grouse and turkey and every year ive thought to myself that it would be nice to try hunting these while I'm out hunting deer. My personal dilemma was that most of the times I see these birds is when I'm actually looking for deer so I would need to carry both a rifle and a shotgun or perhaps a double barreled gun with a slug in one barrel and shot in the other. however, the idea of using slugs isn't the most appealing as sometimes my ranges stretch out a little ways. its this line of thinking that lead me to start looking at combination guns at various shows.

fast forward to last weekend when I learned about a specialty gun store here in WA called Vintage Doubles (http://www.vintagedoubles.com/). I called them up and asked if I could come visit (not a retail store) and arranged an appointment to look at their guns. The selection of amazing antique firearms in their vault was impressive to say the least! while I was looking at their guns I laid my eyes on this gun, it was a thing of beauty! the gun is extremely well made, very light, and in excellent condition.

forgive the bad pictures, I've never been good with a camera. take note of the trigger guard, this rifles trigger guard is made from buffalo horn (according to the seller).

here it is:

Maker: J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl
Gauge/caliber: 16g x 16g x 8mm
manufacture date: 1937
weight: 6lb 7oz
LOP: 13 7/8"
Barrels: 23.5"

View attachment 171715

 

[stug]

Lovely! Which 8mm cartridge is it?

 

[matt85]

Lovely! Which 8mm cartridge is it?

8x57 JR (.318") and 16G 2 1/2"

-matt

 

[siml]

You got yourself a beaut, Matt.

 

[stug]

Are .318" projectiles easy enough to get? I know Woodleigh make some, not sure who else does though.

 

[thriller]

Congrats on the new toy

 

[sierraone]

Congratulations on the "new to you" drilling. My understanding is that the old Sauer and Sohn was well respected for their drillings. I am surprised though that it weights less than 7 pounds. There are several guys on our forum that own or have owned many drillings, so you should be able to find answers if you have any questions about your new find. Enjoy!

A late thought! According to our forum drilling experts, if you ever have to have it worked on, not just any smith understands them and can screw them up worse instead of repairing them. Just a word of caution.

 

[matt85]

both .318" bullets and 16g 2 1/2" shells have been a little tricky to track down. thankfully RST makes the 16g 2 1/2" shells in a nice variety so im set for shotgun shells (just about no one else makes them). Woodleigh, Hawk, and Buffalo Arms produce .318" bullets so assuming i can make one of those three bullets work then ill be in good business. i currently have a bag of 100 Buffalo Arms 200gr .318" SP bullets and some Hornady 8x57 JRS brass (JRS brass can be necked down to JR brass) so im good to go.

the seller included two boxes of RST 16g ammunition and a box of S&B factory 8x57 JR ammunition so id be able to shoot it immediately. i found the S&B factory loads to work and reasonably regulate to the sights but the fit isnt quite right so i wont be buying any more. the Hornady JRS brass fits like a glove so im set for hand loading.

-matt

 

[matt85]

I am surprised though that it weights less than 7 pounds.

this is one of the main reasons i bought the gun! at under six and half pounds the gun handles like a dream.

-matt

 

[ScottG]

Good for you. I hope you have many great adventures with it.

 

[cpr0312]

Very nice, congrats!

 

[Pheroze]

Stunning find! Congratulations.

 

[spike.t]

nice matt. saw quite a few of these type of guns on one of the 2nd dealers booths here at sci. so they there if any looking for them

 

[markferrigno]

Beautiful, I have the same in 7x65R. Did you the scope with mount?

 

[ActionBob]

Very nice Matt! I almost bought a drilling at the Tulsa gun show but someone had run slugs through the shotgun barrels and stretched out the chokes...

I was told you can cut down 2 3/4" shotgun shells to make 2 1/2". Not sure how well that works but passing on the thought. Good luck with it

 

[enysse]

Beautiful gun, I hope it shoots well!

 

[Nyati]

Congrats, it´s a beauty !

 

[CLICKBANGBANG]

What an interesting rifle... er'... shotgun... firearm! Yes, that is it. Very unique. I'd like to see how the barrels pattern and group.

I hope you are successful with this firearm on your fur and feather hunts. Just be sure you are firing the proper barrel at the presented game.

 

[matt85]

Beautiful, I have the same in 7x65R. Did you the scope with mount?

the rings can be made but will likely be expensive so i will probably just use the iron sights. considering the short ranges usually presented during deer season in eastern WA ill probably be fine. also, if i put a scope on the gun then it may reduce its effectiveness as a shotgun.

I almost bought a drilling at the Tulsa gun show but someone had run slugs through the shotgun barrels and stretched out the chokes...

that sucks! the shotgun barrels on this gun are both full choke with the left barrel being slightly tighter then the right. i will stick with lead bird shot (probably #6 and/or #7 1/2) in my barrels in order to protect them.

I'd like to see how the barrels pattern and group.

ive done a little testing so far and the rifle shoots around 3 MOA with factory S&B ammunition but a little low and left. i made some hand loads last night and will be trying them today with hopes of getting them to shoot to the sights. the shotgun barrels seem to pattern a touch high but the density was good at 25 yards (havent checked at other ranges). the 16g shells i was given were lighter loads then what is normally used in this gun and the gun seemed to pattern better with the heaver of the two loads so i suspect it will perform better with proper 16g 2 1/2" loads (1 ounce of shot at around 1200fps). the 16g shells i was given with the gun were 7/8 ounce of #5 loaded to 1125fps and 3/4 ounce of #7 1/2 loaded to 1100fps (the #5 load patterns better then the #7 1/2).

-matt

 

[CAustin]

Nice new toy Matt