doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com Brenneke 2 1/2" (65mm) 16 Slugs - FYI

As noted on the GGCA's forum ...

For those of you haven't noticed, haven't been looking, normally wouldn't be looking or otherwise are not aware Brenneke USA has added their re-introduced 2 1/2" 16ga slugs to their website:

http://www.brennekeusa.com/hunting-ammunition/brenneke-16tm/

I personally hadn't looked for quite some time but in a recent discussion with my contact (rep for Brenneke USA) I was informed that the subject slug had been added to Brenneke USA's website roughly a year ago. To add, there are plenty in stock at their warehouse in IA, from where they are distributed to their dealers.

As a requested note, I also want to add that if you have a pre-WW2 16ga firearm that isn't stamped 70mm, it ain't one.

For those of you that have missed previous posts on the subject, once the Brenneke slugs (originally introduced in 1898) and a few others had become commonplace most of the better German gun makers "regulated" the left shot barrel (rear trigger) of a conventionally configured drilling to shoot a slug at the same POA as the rifle barrel below at 50 meters. Pretty much turning such a drilling into what some would consider to be a poor man's double rifle.

I for one have proven all this true and am always interested in hearing how such has worked out for others.

Best regards,

Mark

Mark, shortly after you posted that 2 1/2 in. Brenneke slugs were once more available I bought 15 rounds. That seemed enough to know where what barrel would shoot them. Of the 3 drillings I tried them in, a Meffert, Franz Jaeger and a Thieme & Schlegelmilch, none shot the left barrel anywhere close to POA....or the right barrel for that matter. I was a bit disappointed but at least I knew.

Ummmm, the Jaeger and Meffert are from between the wars and the T&S is pre-WWI for what that might be worth. I have another drilling but it is not nitro proofed so I didn't try the slugs in it.

Vic,

I'm sorry to hear that such hasn't worked out for you. Our friend Leatherman has said the same but I haven't heard back from him as yet as to whether his experience was with a conventionally configured drilling (SXS shot tubes with rifle below and using the left tube only). This is disturbing as I don't want to spread false information as I was given such by a person I consider very knowledgeable on the subject. As I replied to Leatherman I have to imagine there are exceptions especially in light of the efforts/cost associated with "regulating" the left shot tube and rifle barrel in like fashion to that done with double rifles. I am beginning to think though that this regulation was more of a customer request and not necessarily the norm for drillings made by "the better German gun makers". It also is sounding like I have fallen onto a bit of luck as out of my four "conventionally configured" drillings my Richard Knopf (1944) and Carl Bock (1937) are regulated as discussed. My Brenneke SXS 16ga/9.3X74R (1912) and August Wolf SXS 16ga/7X57R (1928) are undergoing stock work thus I haven't had them out to the range with the Brenneke slugs. One of my favorite sayings as an engineer is: "In God we trust, all others bring data". Me thinks we need more data (a larger sample) to get a better understanding of things. Unfortunately, and as "written facts" would help us a great deal with these early German guns, we have a mere dusting of record (order documentation - invoices etc.). In this case I would very much like to see record of a special request to regulate the left shot and rifle barrel of a drilling. Today I am only going by what I've been told ... though the word of someone that has a way better idea of what was done back in the day than most of us.

Though a lot of water may be thrown on the regulation issue I hope to hear from many. I welcome any correction that will help us, as a community, reach an accurate conclusion.

Regards,

Mark

Mark,
I saw the same advice, and I too consider him very knowledgeable. Maybe it varied, maker to maker. I haven't tried mine, since I prefer an EL.
Mike.

Mark, I have read what you mention, about the regulation in drillings, and I sure hoped that would hold true with mine. Evidently not so. Obviously I have no idea what was originally done with the drillings as far as regulation other than how they shot. The Meffert was closest with the left barrel and it was still 4-6 inches off the 4 inch bull I used for an aiming point and that at only 25 yards. The Jaeger was wild and the T&S about like the Meffert. I still have the picture of the target but photobucket won't let me post it. Ah well...there's a Goldmann double rifle in the safe to fill my "two shot" needs from a rifle.

Vic,

It just dawned on me that I didn't ask you about how the left barrels of your drillings are choked, tight or other?

Mark

My experience with my BUHAG drilling was similar to Sharps': all over the block, even at 25 yards. Didn't matter which barrel sent the slug downrange - it went where it wanted.
OTOH, the rifle barrel was quite consistent: 3 shot groups smaller than a half-dollar at 100 yards, probably a lot better if the operator did a better job.

My Merkel drilling's left barrel was regulated with these rounds and it shoots them to the sights. At 50 yards it groups about 4".

I have a quick question. The German Drillings I currently have in 16 Ga. are choked Full in the right barrel and Fuller in the left. This has been the case in most all the 16 Ga. Drillings I have owned in the past, with rare exception, due to the type of hunting they were used for. My question is are you folks shooting these slugs thru these ultra tight chokes and if so have you noticed any adverse effects on the gun????

Thanks & have a Great Day!!!
WBLDon

WBLDon,

in each workshop for the German hunting licence, some knowledge about Brenneke slugs
always is taught and a popular question in the examin is just yours! ;-)
And the answer is: yes, it's allowed to shoot slugs through full choked barrels.
On the German Brennecke site, they wrote "all Brennecke except for the "Opal" and "Super Sabot" are suitable for all kind of chokes. On their US site I cannot find this...!?
For your 16G Drilling they offer their "Classic" Brennecke and it will work.
I would be careful with other products, in Germany it has to be printed on the package.

Cheers,
Gunwolf