Cape Gun for Drilling

[mbyoh]

Am I crazy?  I'm seriously thinking of trading my prewar drilling (16 x 16 X 9.3X72) for a Simson Cape Gun SXS in 16ga X 25-35.  I'm a turkey hunter and I like the idea of a good old American caliber, one that Winchester reintroduced recently. Also, the Simson has full-length chambers as opposed to the drilling's 2 1/2" chambers.  The cape gun also has finer sights than the drilling, though it doesn't have as much fine engraving.  Both guns are in similiar excellent condition.

Anybody have a Simson or a fondness for cape guns?  Anyone want to talk me into, or out of, the trade?

Thanks,
Mike

[pastorp]

mbyoh, don't know how the trade would be dollars wise, but sounds like the cape gun would do what you want. 16 ga chambers you can buy amo for at the hardware store and a good turkey rifle barrel. I believe you could even use the rifle for deer. If the value is close or could be evened out with cash, sounds like a win-win situtation for you.  Regards, Byron

[Drilling Man]

  The dollar difference doesn't mean much "if" you're getting something more usefull to you and that you will enjoy more!

  DM

[pastorp]

Well Mbyoh, enquiring minds want to know. Did you trade?  Byron

[mbyoh]

Yep, I did the trade.  I think I will miss the fancier engraving on the drilling, but the Simson Suhl cape gun carries so nice, and points perfectly.  Much to my surprise it came with a quick-detachable scope (German) on see-through mounts so I can use the four fold-up leaf sights if I want.

I shot it at 50 yds and the 25-35 and 16 ga barrel are right on center at that distance.  The 25-35 (I actually got a box of the 6.5 X52R) shoots very pleasantly. Set trigger is great.

I may one day find the perfect drilling for me, but for now I think I made a good trade.

Mike

[Drilling Man]

  That sure sounds like a niiiceee gun!!!  Hopefully, we will see some picts of it soon!!

  DM

[mbyoh]

 m

[mbyoh]

I'll try the pictures of the cape gun again.  It's a Suhl Simson made in about 1930.

[dougk]

Nice gun...

[pastorp]

Doug, did the pictures fineally wake you up??  Byron

[Drilling Man]

  I guess they finally just woke me up too...  hahahahaaa  It really IS a nice gun!  Sooooooo, how good does it shoot??  What load are you going to use in it?  I assume your going to use it as a deer rifle?

[mbyoh]

One last picture I forgot to post.  Love the four flip-up sights.



I'm not a serious deer hunter, more of a turkey and grouse hunter, but, yes, I would use it for deer.  Right now I'm shooting some commercial 6.5 X 52R ammo  (117gr bullets) as that is much cheaper and a bit milder than the 25-35 Winchester ammo.  I'm waiting on a set of 25-35 reloading dies, then I will start working up some loads.  The 16 ga barrel has a very tight choke, but that is okay as it can put more shot in that old Tom.

I also have a Tikka in 222/12ga that I really like, though I'm kicking myself for missing a Valmet (the Savage 2400) in 25-35/ 12ga that was on Gunbroker a few weeks ago.

I don't much fancy modern rifles and shotguns, or modern ammunition.  Newest bolt action I have is a Winchester #43 in 218 Bee.  And 16 gauge shotguns are absolutely my favorite.  I have a Fox Sterlingworth 16 ga and an old Marlin 90 O/U in 16 ga. Just wish you could find heavier shot (#4's and 2's ) in 16 gauge without loading your own.

The one more modern gun I'd like to acquire is a J.P.Sauer O/U combo in 30.06/16 ga.  Missed one on Guns America recently.

Mike