8 gauge shotshell pics!

Third_Rail · April 17, 2005, 09:53 PM

I picked this beauty up earlier today for a small amount. I think it'll be kept on my desk next to the (now puny looking) 2 3/4" shell.

DuPont black powder load, Winchester manufacture. 1 3/4 oz BBB shot.

chris in va · April 17, 2005, 10:29 PM

Wow. Looks more like a howitzer round.

novus collectus · April 17, 2005, 10:38 PM

Is that for a punt gun or something? I'd like to fire the shotgun that goes in just once. (after I get health insurance)

Third_Rail · April 17, 2005, 10:48 PM

Commercial bird/duck hunters used large gauge shotguns to harvest meat for sale.

Punt guns are even bigger.

novus collectus · April 17, 2005, 10:50 PM

It was a joke or an exclamation. An example of my wonderment since I have never seen an 8 guage before.

Third_Rail · April 17, 2005, 11:01 PM

So there.

If I can ever get my hands on one, I'd love to have a 4 gauge shell in my collection.

mtnboomer · April 17, 2005, 11:18 PM

The 8 ga. was a monster by any definition! Guaranteed to loosen every filling in your mouth! Yes, they were used for commercial harvesting of game to the point of nearly depleting most species of wildlife in many areas - it was that efficient. The 8 ga. was probably the single biggest reason for states creating regulated hunting seasons. It's destructive power was also the reason the government restricted shotgun bore size to 10 gauge.

novus collectus · April 18, 2005, 06:26 AM

Quote:

The 8 ga. was a monster by any definition! Guaranteed to loosen every filling in your mouth! Yes, they were used for commercial harvesting of game to the point of nearly depleting most species of wildlife in many areas - it was that efficient. The 8 ga. was probably the single biggest reason for states creating regulated hunting seasons. It's destructive power was also the reason the government restricted shotgun bore size to 10 gauge

Or it was that the states were tired of their citizens getting detached retinas.

Ruger4570 · April 18, 2005, 08:09 AM

Looks like the shell I need for 27 yard Trap... big ain't it

fwcofficer · April 18, 2005, 10:12 AM

I'd like to see (and feel) the cannon that its launched out of!!! Yikes!

Dave McC · April 18, 2005, 10:19 AM

A couple things about the 8 gauge.

Parker made several thousand 8 gauges and a smattering of 6 gauges. Most of these went to market hunters, who used them to pick off cripples after use of the punt gun. Punt guns ran up to 2" in diameter, were fastened to boats and resembled artillery more than shoulder fired arms.

Market hunters varied greatly, like any other group, but man for man they were tough as heck. Many worked outside all year, fishing, crabbing, oystering and hunting as the seasons changed.

And they could shoot well past the commonality. Such men, combined with the heavy doubles and slow powders of yesteryear, meant the recoil forces were just something to deal with.

One such man, in his seventies when I was a boy, handled a 10 gauge double and shot it like Jupiter hurling lightning bolts. He had his dad's punt gun mounted on the living room wall, and could seduce geese from over the horizon when he called.

We see few large gauges these days because they were regarded as tools, taken care of but not pampered. After they became illegal for geese, many rusted away in barns and boat houses.

Often loads like this one were used to flock shoot on rafts of geese, with lighter loads used for single birds. One loading I saw was 1 3/8 oz of 3s for big ducks like canvasbacks or geese over decoys.

Third_Rail · April 18, 2005, 11:59 AM

Wait, so they're illegal for sporting use, but legal to own? Or did the GCA do away with that?

mtnboomer · April 19, 2005, 12:30 AM

The shotguns are legal to own as they are considered antiques/curios, but they are not legal to manufacture.

chris in va · April 19, 2005, 01:06 AM

Just googling, found a punt gun and a link for an 8ga.

http://www.drake.net/VMS115bL.jpg

steveno · April 19, 2005, 05:14 AM

I think that Remington still makes 8 gauge ammo (slugs only) and special guns for use in foundries for knocking slag out of the melting furnaces

pigeon shooter · April 19, 2005, 05:38 AM

People over this side of the pond still use them but most are home loaded shells also some use 4 bore shells at an amazing price £400 or $764 dollars for a bow of 25

mvpel · April 19, 2005, 07:38 AM

A friend of mine has a four-bore shell on her desk - looks like a little brass shot glass.

Larry Ashcraft · April 19, 2005, 05:13 PM

Quote:

special guns for use in foundries for knocking slag out of the melting furnaces

My son works at Cherokee Power Plant in Denver. They use the 8 ga to clean the slag out of the boilers.

no 8 · June 15, 2005, 06:47 PM

The 8ga shotshell looks large,but in reality the shot load was from 1 3/4 oz to 2 1/4 oz ,in the early 1900s, no difference than todays 10 an 12 ga mag loads. Modern 8 ga loads are 2 1/2 oz, ive shot several 8 ga guns, the amount of recoil depends on the weight of the gun. My current 8 ga weight is around 11 pounds.8 ga are legal in some states for turkey hunting ect

steelersfan0000 · June 15, 2005, 06:51 PM

That would be a big gun

Death from Afar · June 15, 2005, 07:51 PM

How do they use the shotgun to clean the slag out?

Springer45 · June 15, 2005, 08:48 PM

Quote:

How do they use the shotgun to clean the slag out?

They point it at the new guy and say, "Get in there and clean that slag out!".

Larry Ashcraft · June 15, 2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

How do they use the shotgun to clean the slag out?

Not sure they use the shotgun. They use the shell.

I don't know.

I can ask my son this weekend.

ethernectar · June 15, 2005, 09:36 PM

Quote:

"Get in there and clean that slag out!".

Ha hahahhaahaaa

Too funny.

Eghad · June 16, 2005, 10:07 AM

Quote:

I think that Remington still makes 8 gauge ammo (slugs only) and special guns for use in foundries for knocking slag out of the melting furnaces

My father in law gave me one said it was used to bust stuff up at the papermill where he worked.

April 17, 2005, 11:18 PM	#7
mtnboomer Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Location: Oklahoma by birth. America by the grace of God. Posts: 635	The 8 ga. was a monster by any definition! Guaranteed to loosen every filling in your mouth! Yes, they were used for commercial harvesting of game to the point of nearly depleting most species of wildlife in many areas - it was that efficient. The 8 ga. was probably the single biggest reason for states creating regulated hunting seasons. It's destructive power was also the reason the government restricted shotgun bore size to 10 gauge. __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (If all else fails - play dead!) Support the Second Amendment. Join the NRA > http://www.nra.org < Oklahoma State & Big 12 - #1 GO POKES!!!!!

April 18, 2005, 10:12 AM	#10
fwcofficer Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2005 Location: Miami, Fl (Northern Cuba) Posts: 197	I'd like to see (and feel) the cannon that its launched out of!!! Yikes! __________________ #20 Tony Stewart

April 19, 2005, 12:30 AM	#13
mtnboomer Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Location: Oklahoma by birth. America by the grace of God. Posts: 635	The shotguns are legal to own as they are considered antiques/curios, but they are not legal to manufacture. __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (If all else fails - play dead!) Support the Second Amendment. Join the NRA > http://www.nra.org < Oklahoma State & Big 12 - #1 GO POKES!!!!!

April 19, 2005, 05:38 AM	#16
pigeon shooter Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2005 Location: Tyne and Wear / England Posts: 4	People over this side of the pond still use them but most are home loaded shells also some use 4 bore shells at an amazing price £400 or $764 dollars for a bow of 25 __________________ Pigeon Shooter shotgun forums

April 19, 2005, 07:38 AM	#17
mvpel Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2000 Location: Hooksett, NH Posts: 1,847	A friend of mine has a four-bore shell on her desk - looks like a little brass shot glass. __________________ Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, "Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!" 1 Samuel 13:19

April 17, 2005, 10:29 PM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Wow. Looks more like a howitzer round.

April 17, 2005, 10:38 PM	#3
novus collectus Junior member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 940	Is that for a punt gun or something? I'd like to fire the shotgun that goes in just once. (after I get health insurance)

April 17, 2005, 10:48 PM	#4
Third_Rail Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2004 Posts: 134	Commercial bird/duck hunters used large gauge shotguns to harvest meat for sale. Punt guns are even bigger.

April 17, 2005, 10:50 PM	#5
novus collectus Junior member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 940	It was a joke or an exclamation. An example of my wonderment since I have never seen an 8 guage before.

April 17, 2005, 11:01 PM	#6
Third_Rail Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2004 Posts: 134	So there. If I can ever get my hands on one, I'd love to have a 4 gauge shell in my collection.

April 18, 2005, 08:09 AM	#9
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Looks like the shell I need for 27 yard Trap... big ain't it

April 18, 2005, 10:19 AM	#11
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	A couple things about the 8 gauge. Parker made several thousand 8 gauges and a smattering of 6 gauges. Most of these went to market hunters, who used them to pick off cripples after use of the punt gun. Punt guns ran up to 2" in diameter, were fastened to boats and resembled artillery more than shoulder fired arms. Market hunters varied greatly, like any other group, but man for man they were tough as heck. Many worked outside all year, fishing, crabbing, oystering and hunting as the seasons changed. And they could shoot well past the commonality. Such men, combined with the heavy doubles and slow powders of yesteryear, meant the recoil forces were just something to deal with. One such man, in his seventies when I was a boy, handled a 10 gauge double and shot it like Jupiter hurling lightning bolts. He had his dad's punt gun mounted on the living room wall, and could seduce geese from over the horizon when he called. We see few large gauges these days because they were regarded as tools, taken care of but not pampered. After they became illegal for geese, many rusted away in barns and boat houses. Often loads like this one were used to flock shoot on rafts of geese, with lighter loads used for single birds. One loading I saw was 1 3/8 oz of 3s for big ducks like canvasbacks or geese over decoys.

April 18, 2005, 11:59 AM	#12
Third_Rail Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2004 Posts: 134	Wait, so they're illegal for sporting use, but legal to own? Or did the GCA do away with that?

April 19, 2005, 01:06 AM	#14
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Just googling, found a punt gun and a link for an 8ga. http://www.drake.net/VMS115bL.jpg

April 19, 2005, 05:14 AM	#15
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	I think that Remington still makes 8 gauge ammo (slugs only) and special guns for use in foundries for knocking slag out of the melting furnaces

June 15, 2005, 06:47 PM	#19
no 8 Junior Member Join Date: June 9, 2005 Posts: 7	8 ga shotshell The 8ga shotshell looks large,but in reality the shot load was from 1 3/4 oz to 2 1/4 oz ,in the early 1900s, no difference than todays 10 an 12 ga mag loads. Modern 8 ga loads are 2 1/2 oz, ive shot several 8 ga guns, the amount of recoil depends on the weight of the gun. My current 8 ga weight is around 11 pounds.8 ga are legal in some states for turkey hunting ect Last edited by no 8; June 15, 2005 at 06:57 PM. Reason: mistake

June 15, 2005, 06:51 PM	#20
steelersfan0000 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Location: OHIO Posts: 223	That would be a big gun

June 15, 2005, 07:51 PM	#21
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	How do they use the shotgun to clean the slag out? __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".