New guy from Texas

[jtex54]

Hellow and thanks for letting me join your forum. I am looking to aquire a piece that I have always wanted, a drilling. Where my German Shorthair and I hunt, I have seen where such a piece would be a great choice, not to mention a great comfort with the versatility and options. I am here to learn and get aquanted with the drillings and such.
Thanks again and great forum. James

[Büchsemann]

James,

Welcome to the GGCA.

With regard to your interest in acquiring a drilling I'll suggest that you go into our bookstore and order Journal No. 43 where drillings are the subject of a featured article. It is very informative thus a good place to start.

Regards,

Mark

[jtex54]

Thanks Mark, I'll do just that.

[mike ford]

James,
Welcome, Since you seem to be looking for a drilling to use, rather than collect, you might find a good choice at Simmons Ltd.
Mike

[jtex54]

Thanks Mike, I did look at Simmons and they have some pretty good ones and some have glass on them. I need to learn a bit more before making a selection I think. I'm a bit leary of 16 x16 with a metric caliber rifle cartridge such as they all seem to have. I know that's the norm but I am really wanting a 12 x 12 / 30.06. Its a sizeable investment for me and I have learned to get what you want so you don't regret later.

[mike ford]

James,
My opinion might be the "dissenting opinion" but the only worse choice than 12/12/06 would be 3" 12/12 mag and 300mag(I saw one once but it didn't cause nightmares). They make rimless extractors that work after a fashion, but a cartridge for a drilling( or any other "tip up") belongs to have a rim on it,to paraphrase my late brother-in-law.The larger diameter of 12ga shells requires the frame and barrels to be both noticeably wider and taller. This makes such a drilling, as we say in Alabama "gawkey"(and heavier also).If you get one that is scoped, to start with, it will save you a lot of money and aggravation over the long haul. This applies regardless of the calibers. Don't worry about metric calibers, especially the more modern ones based on 57mm or 65mm rimmed cases. Ammo/cases/bullets are avaliable and most all of them are now made with boxer primers. If you buy it with your money, you are the one that gets to choose what you want. I advise that you find someone that has a 12 ga drilling and a 16 ga with 60cm to65cm barrels, and compare them before buying one. Of course, if you are built like Wilt Chamberlin, my opinion may be worthless to you.
Mike

[jtex54]

Thanks Mike for the advice. I am still studing Journal No. 43 and understand what you are saying about the difference between the 12 and 16 gauges concerning weight and bulk. I would like to have the abiltiy to handle one of each but I'm not sure of where "yet". I would have no interst in a 3 inch 12 gauge X 300 mag, wow. I have never seen one advertised but I suppose there out there. Also I understand what your saying about buying one scoped. I can only imagine the cost and difficulty of having claws installed. To be honest, what I looking for in this 1st drilling is nice handling upland bird gun with a potent rifle option. My dog Gus (German Shorthair) and I have found a place in N Texas that is pretty wide open, has a few birds with some periods of overlapping seasons. I like the idea of not being limited to 40 yards or less if I needed or wanted to reach out a bit farther.Thanks again...

[mike ford]

James,
I saw a 3"12ga-300Mag Drilling at Waffen Frankonia many years ago.It was on the rack for highdollar guns and stayed there several years before it sold. Simpson has a drilling now that seems to be close to what you are looking for.It is the Heym mod 33 in 16ga and 8mm,with Variable Hensoldt scope in claw mounts. It was listed as 8x57IR, but as a 1955 drilling, it is likely 8x57IRS instead.Some stock issues seem to be holding the price down(which is good).Also it has 60cm barrels,my favorite, and I doubt you would be lynched if you had the chokes adjusted on a 1955 drilling.The stock" issues" would be easy for a good stock man to take care of. I didn't think I wanted a 8mm drilling until I "lucked" into one at a deal I couldn't turn down. Now, If I had to kill a deer, this afternoon, or the world would fall down, that drilling would be the gun I would use. Again, all this is just my opinion, and I'm sure a lot of people don't share it.
Mike