AussieMike,

You have the right idea in my opinion. Using cast bullets and trap loads are the right approach when shooting drillings for recreation. The slow 9,3x72r was made for cast bullets.

Even the circa 1983 Simson I had, a higher grade gun and well made, loosened a bit from my frequent recreational use and heavy field loads for late season chucker, and for Guinea fowl and Francolin. It was in 12/12/9,3x74r. I use cast bullets for plinking in my Tribbel drilling with a Dural receiver in 8x57IR and 3/4 oz or 1 oz loads in the 16 ga tubes. Be sure to use a good quality grease on the hinge pin, then wipe it off before storing the gun.

The 12/9,3x74r Simson was the only post War drilling I have owned, other than my Sauer 3000 in 12/12/ 30-06: it appeared no stouter than the quality later per War guns. The groups opened up to around 2 1/2" with good hand loads in the 9,3 (not hot loads, either). Lee LeBas put it back on face, and the groups went back to 1"-, then he bought the gun from me...

I've not shot the Sauer 3000 enough to pass judgement yet.

You posed a GOOD question! I'll have to do some research...

J.P. Sauer wrote me recently that they DO NOT recommend using rifle insert barrels heavier than 22 Hornet in their shotgun barrels. I wanted to insert a 9,3x74r into the left barrel...I guess I'll stick with my 22 Mag insert.