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Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 88 Location: Nericia, Sweden

Yesterday I visited a friend, who is selling a 16ga+8x57IR drilling (triplet). I made a bid and it is rather likely that I will get it.

We took the gun apart and really scrutinized it. Most features were OK or lightly fixable, but not the chambers. They were short, very short: 2 3/8" (We used a chamber gauge.) However, we made a try with a brass hull, and that fitted perfectly. Should I suppose, that the drilling was built for brass hulls? It should have been built in Germany around 1910 - 1925, and all three barrels are nitro proofed.

Should I open the chambers to 2½" or just go with homeloaded brass hulls?

Regards,

Pete

Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 443

Or load even shorter shells. I load 2.75" shells, then cut the crimps off when they get old and load them as 2.5" When that gets old, I cut them again to 2" even. There is no reason you couldn't make your own custom length hulls.

sv

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

Agreed--Use Steve's solution or the brass hulls if you have enough Cool

Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 443

Sometimes I use different length hulls for different applications. I use the 2.5" hulls for 3/4 and 7/8 ounce loads. I just came upstairs from loading 1 ounce loads with 19.0 gr. of Unique and a TC16 wad. It fits perfectly in a 67mm (2 9/16") hull. The full length hulls I use most commonly for Scott's Pheasant Slayer Load with 1 1/8 ounce of hard #5s.

sv

I suspect that 2 1/2 inch shells are the appropriate load for the 16 bore barrels. I'd be comfortable shooting 2 1/2 inch low pressure shells if the drilling is in good condition.

I'd be more concerned about the BORE of the 8x57 rifle barrel if it is marked 8x57JR. The 8x57JR (the German's frequently used what looks like an "I" for a "J") has a .318 bore diameter. The 8x57JRS has a .323 bore diameter. All modern 8x57 (8mm Mauser) ammunition has .323 diameter bullets. Shooting .323 diameter bullets through .318 diameter bores can create grossly excessive pressures. Also be aware that the "R" means the rimmed version of the 8x57.

Hello All, I shoot a Krieghoff Drilling in 16 x 16 x 8x57IR. Sellier & Bellot ammo is easily obtainable from Natchez at the cost of $16.49 for a box of 20. It is boxer primed and reloadable, but is cheaper to buy the loaded ammo than to try to find economical jacketed .318 bullets. Enjoy the day, Mike

Member Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 317

Hello All, I believe Natchez at www.natchezss.com can handle this request, and you can call them at 1-800-251-7839 to verify. Ask them about item number FO3ZYSBA85707, this is S&B 8x57 JS ammo with 196 grain SPCE bullet. They can verify the bullet diameter. Let us know how your quest comes out. Enjoy the day, Mike

Guest

Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 88 Location: Nericia, Sweden

Hello, Yes, I cast, have about 400 moulds, but I also sometimes want to go over 2000 FPS. The jacketed bullets fit that bill and do shoot to where the sights are on the drilling. Casting is fun and easy. I have an air operated bullet feeding Star lube sizer, sure makes quick work of the lube chore. Enjoy the day, Mike

I just picked up a Belgium made nitro proofed SXS in 16, and after carefully measuring the chambers, barrel thickness, and comparing measurements against my other 16 SXS's, I reamed the chambers and extended the forcing cones. I was surprised at how little material (.008" total dia.)was removed to get themup to 2 3/4" chambers. I did leave them slightly short however. I was wondering why there seems to be a lot of resistance to punching out the chambers? .004" removed from the barrel thickness does not amount to much, considering the barrels were .006" different from each other in the bore!