Big gauge shotguns

[Brutus]

As we all know the recent ban targets bores of 20mm or greater. To most of us this translates into an attack on BP shotguns of 8 gauge and greater. Rifle gauges too!

These fine bird slayers we have do often taken for granted. Can anyone relate to us mere observers thier experiences with these superb shotgun or gauge rifles ??

Anything you desire to share on this CGN sub forum ??

And if you desire to not share, we also understand fully.

 

[mooncoon]

it is not just antique large bore shotguns and rifles but also some flare guns and line throwing guns, kiln guns and for black powder rendezvous types, candy cannons. I tried sending a letter to Trudeau and Blair asking if there would be exemptions for such guns but they don't seem to answer such question. I did get a reply, a little over 1 year later, from the RCMP, when I asked (Trudeau and Blair) about the definition of the word "transfer" since I think it was bill C 41 that required reference numbers for all transfers. The RCMP have defined it as change of ownership only.
Perhaps I should write to the RCMP directly asking if they will enforce the law when it involves antiques and other guns exempt under various categories in cc 84 (3) Relative to question asked, originally, I do occasionally shoot heavy guage shotguns and rifles as well as having a candy cannon for the kids at family day at our local fish and game club

cheers mooncoon

 

[WR1894]

I have fired both 4 and 8 bore double rifles and also muzzleloaders below is a single 4 bore shotgun for4 inch case
The next picture is a 8 bore rifle from Capetown beside a T/C 45 hawken and they both weight the same, i shoot .835 balls in the 8 bore and 120 grains of powder
The bottom picture is a double 8 bore rifle and a double 4 bore shotgun that was used with ball also as it was sold in Capetown by W.G.Rawbone both of these guns are brass cases, 8 bore is 3 1/2 inch and the 4 bore is 4 inch

I have not fired the first gun yet

 

[dan belisle]

I'm having enough trouble finding components for my 10 gauge. But those are very, very cool. And screw the government. - dan

 

[Brutus]

I have fired both 4 and 8 bore double rifles and also muzzleloaders below is a single 4 bore shotgun for4 inch case
The next picture is a 8 bore rifle from Capetown beside a T/C 45 hawken and they both weight the same, i shoot .835 balls in the 8 bore and 120 grains of powder
The bottom picture is a double 8 bore rifle and a double 4 bore shotgun that was used with ball also as it was sold in Capetown by W.G.Rawbone both of these guns are brass cases, 8 bore is 3 1/2 inch and the 4 bore is 4 inch

I have not fired the first gun yet


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Awesome asseblmy right here WR-1894 !

I read one historical report regarding an 8 gauge shotgun weilded successfully by a rural Texas sheriff and four hostile riders giving him and his wife an uninvited visitation.

He got to his shotgun in the nick of time.
The single three ounce payload killed the first rider outright. This same shotload mortally wounded the rider directly behind the first.
The three fled but very quickly the second hostile died from blood loss.
The other two left forthwith.

 

[WR1894]

The single 4 bore is about 18 pounds, the double 4 bore is 19 pound, the double 8 bore rifle is 16 pounds and the single 8 muzzle loading gun is 9 pounds not the handiest guns to handle but on firing the weight is good. The double 4 bore rifle i fired was around 24 pounds and we fired 400 grains of black powder and a 1850 grain bullet it was a handfully

they are interesting pieces of history for sure

 

[Suther]

It saddens me to think I'll never get the chance to own one of these classic stopping rifles if the Liberals get their way. Amazing pieces of history they are! Hell I might not even get a chance to shoot one unless I make friends in the US that have one =(

 

[tiriaq]

I recall seeing a large bore single barrel ml rifle, which had been on safari in Africa a couple of times. Classic design. I could put my thumb in the muzzle. Big gun, but it did balance and handle well.

 

[Brutus]

The single 4 bore is about 18 pounds, the double 4 bore is 19 pound, the double 8 bore rifle is 16 pounds and the single 8 muzzle loading gun is 9 pounds not the handiest guns to handle but on firing the weight is good. The double 4 bore rifle i fired was around 24 pounds and we fired 400 grains of black powder and a 1850 grain bullet it was a handfully

they are interesting pieces of history for sure

Wow!

African dreams.....
Or Faroe Islands bird harvest !

Can fit into either wild universe.

I like your taste in firearms sir.

 

[Brutus]

I recall seeing a large bore single barrel ml rifle, which had been on safari in Africa a couple of times. Classic design. I could put my thumb in the muzzle. Big gun, but it did balance and handle well.

Yes indeed. IMO these firearms are existing within a special niche of basic basic survival tool.

After all the very first firearms were smoothbore.

 

[WR1894]

the bore diameter on the 4 bores i have is .995 so 1 inch and the 8 bore double rifle is .845 the muzzle loading rifle is .835 so yes you can get your finger in some of them

The 8 bore muzzleloader was sold by J Bortha Capetown and made in Birmingham inside the lock it is marked WWG so going to guess made by Greener
The double 4 bore is a Greener and sold by W.G Rawbone Capetown, interesting note on this the records from Greener is only the barrels which were choked but they were shorten so no choke now and reregulated so the belief is that they would have been done this way before the gun went to Capetown so it could also be used with ball. This gun when at the shoulder balances very well and feels lighter

 

[Brutus]

I have a tiny collection of ten gauges.
A Suhl and Son drilling 10x10x45-70, a Parkhurst coachgun also Damascus and one Winchester 1901 in 10 gauge smokeless short.

I kind of improvised a slug design my own makeup for the full and full Parkhurst.

Superglued a .490 round ball over three 000 buckshot pellets. Shoots like a carbine from the Parkhurst at 35 yards. Even with just regular 4 birdshot few realize the high density killing patterns of the bigger gauges.

Somehow I always just missed out on an older 8 gauge.

 

[mooncoon]

My largest is a 5 guage smooth rifle with a bore of .95 if my memory is correct. I have shot it with 230 grains of 1F and a 3 oz .935" round ball. The gun weighs about 14 lbs and gives a pretty hefty shove when you fire it. You definitely have to be careful where your thumb is relative to your nose, when you shoot it :>)

cheers mooncoon

 

[WR1894]

When i got the 8 bore Bortha rifle it had a piece of bone with a lead bullet stuck in it, i never got the story for this here a couple of picture, plus the muzzles of the 45 cal and the 8 bore also the .810 daimeter ball 45 cal ball and 22 LR

 

[Brutus]

Hhhmmmm.

Loving this thread folks. Feathers & Fangs!!

Snapshot of hunting history.

 

[mooncoon]

it took me a while to find the photo, but below is a friend of mine shooting a 5 guage smooth rifle. Smooth rifles have sights like a rifle and in the case of the gun below, set triggers, and are intended to shoot round ball. I think the idea of the smooth bore was to reduce the problems of fouling. Recoil is like a tremendous shove rather than a sharp kick. The gun in the photo weighs about 14 lbs

cheers mooncoon

 

[brybenn]

Id love to get a 8ga muzzleloader for deer hunting