Lets talk Drillings

[Boone66]

I have probably spent $15,000 on firearms since I have been here. Not a drilling in the safe. Every time I consider one, I don't know what I would use it for.

Their utility to me is their undoing. I like specialist rifles.

1. I don't live someplace where I am limited by what rifles I can own or their number.

2. Rarely is there a situation where I am hunting both fur and fowl in the same trip.

3. If I were to stay here, I'd own a combination gun or a drilling in 222 or 5,6x50R for black grouse and capercaillie with a 20 gauge full choke barrel. That is a hunt I could do every other year for capercaillie and annually for black grouse. I guess a guy could use it on turkeys where legal (Wyoming and Texas) for the 22 centerfire. But most places rifles are not legal for turkeys.

4. As a big game gun I am not convinced that I want 2 slugs and a 8x57R. A double rifle drilling would be aces, but then they are damn heavy.

5. The scope mount problem with them is a real problem. If your scope dies on you, you have a very expensive situation of getting claw mounts refit. If own one with EAW mounts it isn't such a big problem, but the gun has to be set up that way to begin with.

In some places, I could see where you have a point. In Montana, it is spring bear and turkey season at the same time and in the fall, Turkey, grouse, wildfowl, Bear, deer and Elk, ass well as wolf and coyote all at the same time. I live in NW Montana, where it is pretty heavy forest. my drilling at the moment is set up for iron sights and has claw mount bases, I have yet to make the scope mounts or to buy and install the EAW mounts. I have many other guns, that are specialty guns also, but this one allows me the best opportunity's where I live and going into the brush trailing a wounded bear with two slugs and a 9.3x74R is a very comfortable feeling. With a 222 insert, I would have all the bases covered with one gun, while in the bush. the days of taking a shotgun or small game rifle with you and leaving it in the ruck for grouse and rabbits, is long gone, as someone will steal it, while you are in the brush. plus, its kinda a nostalgia hunt, to hunt with one. of course, my shot distance is limited, but im pretty much limited by the foliage and buck brush where i live already and I use a magnum rifle, when hunting in the eastern part of the state.

 

[Boone66]

Drillings are not a stretch for people who: A. use a single shot rifle at all, B. Use an O/U or SXS shotgun--two shots are two shots! Most drillings do not have ejectors, though. And any fixed choke can be opened., or C. Love gadgets and quality for quality sake. (like me)

I agree, I use double barrel shotguns and single shot rifles, mostly. I find the drilling where I live to be the best for hunting in the mountains in NW Montana, where most shots are close and heavy brush, as well as multiple species of game are allowed to be hunted at the same time. plus, It's just super cool to have and use.

 

[steve white]

In some places, I could see where you have a point. In Montana, it is spring bear and turkey season at the same time and in the fall, Turkey, grouse, wildfowl, Bear, deer and Elk, ass well as wolf and coyote all at the same time. I live in NW Montana, where it is pretty heavy forest. my drilling at the moment is set up for iron sights and has claw mount bases, I have yet to make the scope mounts or to buy and install the EAW mounts. I have many other guns, that are specialty guns also, but this one allows me the best opportunity's where I live and going into the brush trailing a wounded bear with two slugs and a 9.3x74R is a very comfortable feeling. With a 222 insert, I would have all the bases covered with one gun, while in the bush. the days of taking a shotgun or small game rifle with you and leaving it in the ruck for grouse and rabbits, is long gone, as someone will steal it, while you are in the brush. plus, its kinda a nostalgia hunt, to hunt with one. of course, my shot distance is limited, but im pretty much limited by the foliage and buck brush where i live already and I use a magnum rifle, when hunting in the eastern part of the state.

I once heard through the grapevine that JJ Perodoux had a vertical mill that he used to made claw mount tops with, for--at the time--$250. Even if the price is twice, that's a good deal, and you get to use a scope.

 

[Boone66]

I once heard through the grapevine that JJ Perodoux had a vertical mill that he used to made claw mount tops with, for--at the time--$250. Even if the price is twice, that's a good deal, and you get to use a scope.

They still need to be properly fitted to your gun.

 

[Boone66]

I once heard through the grapevine that JJ Perodoux had a vertical mill that he used to made claw mount tops with, for--at the time--$250. Even if the price is twice, that's a good deal, and you get to use a scope.

I have some fitted Mauser claws and bases, need to make one for my unique mounts, the bases sit over the top of the right barrel.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Drillings are not a stretch for people who: A. use a single shot rifle at all, B. Use an O/U or SXS shotgun--two shots are two shots! Most drillings do not have ejectors, though. And any fixed choke can be opened., or C. Love gadgets and quality for quality sake. (like me)

It all depends on what you're used to using. I shot SxS shotguns with double triggers, and for many years my bolt rifle received much less use than my single-shots. With that as background, the drilling was an easy transition. Same as with shooting a SxS double rifle; some people bemoan that the dual trigger setup is difficult to get used to, but it's not a factor if you've been doing it all of your life and the muscle-memory is ingrained.

Not to mention the drilling's "cool factor." The major drawbacks are as you mentioned, extractors vs. ejectors and the sometimes awkward-to-acquire safety. Use whatever you are most comfortable with, go out and hunt with it!

 

[steve white]

They still need to be properly fitted to your gun.

JJ was making them and fitting them!
I have often wondered, if I had a box full of claw tops randomly collected, if I might get lucky and find an original fit....be like finding a needle in a haystack. But I wouldn't be surprised if I found some that could be tweaked enough. But there is no such box.

 

[steve white]

PS: I am proud to say that I have made a set of claw mt. tops from scratch with only fine files, sand paper and a smoke lamp! Still have the set on a drilling--tight, tight. But it took over 40 hrs. work, not counting lots of head scratching, and I'm not sure if I want to do it again, because, if you mess up once you get to start over....

 

[Boone66]

JJ was making them and fitting them!
I have often wondered, if I had a box full of claw tops randomly collected, if I might get lucky and find an original fit....be like finding a needle in a haystack. But I wouldn't be surprised if I found some that could be tweaked enough. But there is no such box.

Most are for Mauser, that I have found those look to be mostly the Sule type, unfortunately, my drilling mounts seem to be made by the gun builder and a different style then most others, having a push button and over the right barrel. I've have friends send me extra sets of theirs, but my bases are much wider. While delving deeper into mine, I found that the bases over the right barrel had two different types of rings, one set on top of the barrel, for use with just a insert (which I don't have and their is no evidence of one being installed), or the second was the scope went in the center, providing a window under it so the irons could still be used. Interesting to say the least.

 

[steve white]

It may have been Colt Sauers, I never handled them, just saw listings. Thanks for the heads up though; I always figured a drilling should have a lively swing. If its a "log" why carry it...

To the OP you are on the right track, and have received good advice so far. Handle any drilling to see if you like how it fits, and also know that you may have a hard time buying only one. Rookhawk recommends buying ones with longer barrels for shotgunning performance. I am just fine with the upland handling of my 65 cm/25 1/2 inch barrels--your choice. Turkey hunters often love drillings, but according to the late Bob Jones of Ft. Worth, Tx, a known perveyor of drillings, all his turkey hunting clients wanted them short and light. So before you even get into engraving/wood levels, they are addictive enough that just like Lays potato chips, nobody can eat just one!
They are fun. You will love them if you get a good one.

 

[steve white]

Most are for Mauser, that I have found those look to be mostly the Sule type, unfortunately, my drilling mounts seem to be made by the gun builder and a different style then most others, having a push button and over the right barrel. I've have friends send me extra sets of theirs, but my bases are much wider. While delving deeper into mine, I found that the bases over the right barrel had two different types of rings, one set on top of the barrel, for use with just a insert (which I don't have and their is no evidence of one being installed), or the second was the scope went in the center, providing a window under it so the irons could still be used. Interesting to say the least.

Man, you are right there! I have seen claw variations that made me wonder if the maker was trying to set some kind of Guiness record for complexity and ingenuity. I found out that ANYTHING can be fabricated, if the skill is there to do it. Old "Jim" (RIP) at Ray's Hardware and sporting goods could get it done. One fellow I have lost track of in west Fort Worth at the old Cross Gunshop (now also sadly defunct) fabricated a match to the weirdest arrangement I have ever seen and it worked great. It needed to work great as it was on a 9.3x74R. The only thing I did not like about it was that when the scope was removed, the bases had two upward projections that I felt cluttered the view around the rib when wing shooting. But I take my hat off to the gunsmith's ability to make one at all, and all for a paltry $300 back in the nineties.
Thank God for the smiths on this side of the pond who can properly work on fine guns! Folks like Abe Chaber, NECG, JJ Perodoux, and the like. If we lived in Europe, finding that kind of work would be as easy as falling off a log.
But over here, as RedLeg warned, shade tree mechanics can bugger all.

 

[Boone66]

Man, you are right there! I have seen claw variations that made me wonder if the maker was trying to set some kind of Guiness record for complexity and ingenuity. I found out that ANYTHING can be fabricated, if the skill is there to do it. Old "Jim" (RIP) at Ray's Hardware and sporting goods could get it done. One fellow I have lost track of in west Fort Worth at the old Cross Gunshop (now also sadly defunct) fabricated a match to the weirdest arrangement I have ever seen and it worked great. It needed to work great as it was on a 9.3x74R. The only thing I did not like about it was that when the scope was removed, the bases had two upward projections that I felt cluttered the view around the rib when wing shooting. But I take my hat off to the gunsmith's ability to make one at all, and all for a paltry $300 back in the nineties.
Thank God for the smiths on this side of the pond who can properly work on fine guns! Folks like Abe Chaber, NECG, JJ Perodoux, and the like. If we lived in Europe, finding that kind of work would be as easy as falling off a log.
But over here, as RedLeg warned, shade tree mechanics can bugger all.

Im a fairly good gun crank, so going to try my hand at it. the Mauser ones that I have on hand, give me a good idea of where I need to go with with. the scopes that I have on hand have dove tails built into the scope, cant remember off hand what that is called. I really should get to it, as I have lots of other stuff to do and hunting season will be here shortly. I like mine for turkey hunting also, as it is also spring bear season, 9.3x74R i found is no slouch, I really like it and with 16ga and short barrels, I find it makes a wonderful woods gun. Now, if i could just get a few days to concentrate on making the claw mounts...sigh, well, back to the grind.

 

[Longwalker]

I just acquired an unusual and (to me) interesting drilling. Merkel M95, 20x20 76mm choked 1/4&3/4, over 6.5x55. It is light & lively, fits and swings like a fine bird gun, and is chambered and choked appropriately for wandering the Canadian bush with no particular quarry in mind. I didn't think I'd ever buy a drilling chambered for a rimless rifle cartridge, but this one was too nice to pass up.

 

[steve white]

I just acquired an unusual and (to me) interesting drilling. Merkel M95, 20x20 76mm choked 1/4&3/4, over 6.5x55. It is light & lively, fits and swings like a fine bird gun, and is chambered and choked appropriately for wandering the Canadian bush with no particular quarry in mind. I didn't think I'd ever buy a drilling chambered for a rimless rifle cartridge, but this one was too nice to pass up.
View attachment 708123

Looks really pristine! Congratulations.

 

[Schroeder]

That’s a very nice drilling.
It’s a complete misconception that all drillings are heavy and don’t handle well.
Both my drillings weigh 3.2kg and are very slim.
You will enjoy that gun, and it is suitable for a huge range of game.
To me the big advantage of a drilling, is never coming back to camp empty handed.
So many times I have been hunting fallow or red, but come back with a duck or hare.
Enjoy…

 

[Schroeder]

By the way, I had the previous model to your drilling. It had a lever on the tang that raised the rear sight and set the front trigger at the same time.
I would be interested to know when your drilling was made if you don’t mind?
Just check the four digit code stamped on the action or barrels, when it is disassembled.
EG 0371 is March 1971.

 

[Longwalker]

from Merkel:
Thank you for your message.
We have found a model 95S gun card from 1990 under the serial number you provided.
Unfortunately, we do not have any proof data for it.
However, you can shoot shotgun slugs from it.

With the choke sizes, you can theoretically fire steel shot, but we recommend in any case that you fire steel shot.
As we do not know the condition of the gun, we accept no liability for any damage and you act at your own risk.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen/Best regards

Ihr Merkel-Team/Your Merkel-Team


- It's not clear to me what they meant to write about steel shot, seems the advice was "lost in translation"! I have some nice bismuth loads that I'll reserve for use in this gun if I need non-toxic shot.

 

[Boone66]

By the way, I had the previous model to your drilling. It had a lever on the tang that raised the rear sight and set the front trigger at the same time.
I would be interested to know when your drilling was made if you don’t mind?
Just check the four digit code stamped on the action or barrels, when it is disassembled.
EG 0371 is March 1971.

That pre setting the front trigger would be nice, I have to manually do mine as a separate step.

 

[Schroeder]

That pre setting the front trigger would be nice, I have to manually do mine as a separate step.

Yes it was pretty nice, especially useful for a 222 Remington . I had a gunsmith at one stage refinish the colour case hardening on the receiver. He was especially fascinated with the mechanism of the automatic rear sight, which was connected to a fine rod from the action to the rear sight. By memory it was a late 70’s gun. I guess labour was much cheaper in the old East Germany under soviet rule.

 

[Boone66]

Yes it was pretty nice, especially useful for a 222 Remington . I had a gunsmith at one stage refinish the colour case hardening on the receiver. He was especially fascinated with the mechanism of the automatic rear sight, which was connected to a fine rod from the action to the rear sight. By memory it was a late 70’s gun. I guess labour was much cheaper in the old East Germany under soviet rule.

I do have the automatic rear sight, how did your pre set the front trigger? Mine is a pre war