i was wondering if any one can give me any info on the 8 bore the first time i ever heard of it was on friday i saw a dummy round in cabelas and all i have found out so far is it is relly big and it use to be used for elephant back in the day i was just curios when i saw the size of that thing.

8 bore - short history lesson.

The number refers to the number of round lead balls of the diameter of the bore, that will equal 1 pound. 8 bore = 2 oz round lead ball. A conical would be heaver, of course.

Same system for most of the shotgun gages. That is, a 12 gauge (12 bore) round ball is an ounce and a third, I think, a 16 gauge round ball is an ounce exactly, and you can do the math for 20 and 28 gauge (and 10 and 4 and whatever else comes to mind - just need to know that there are 16 ounces in a pound). A .410 is really about 67 gauge, or someting like that (.410" being the actual bore size).

Seems like a strange measuring system but scales were a bit more common that dial calipers in those days.

Old days... black powder.... only way for more power was a larger ball, and larger bore to fire it in. Thus, the reason for the existence of such beasts. Nitro powder and long jacketed bullets killed the old cannons off.

8 bore - short history lesson.

The number refers to the number of round lead balls of the diameter of the bore, that will equal 1 pound. 8 bore = 2 oz round lead ball. A conical would be heaver, of course.

Same system for most of the shotgun gages. That is, a 12 gauge (12 bore) round ball is an ounce and a third, I think, a 16 gauge round ball is an ounce exactly, and you can do the math for 20 and 28 gauge (and 10 and 4 and whatever else comes to mind - just need to know that there are 16 ounces in a pound). A .410 is really about 67 gauge, or someting like that (.410" being the actual bore size).

Seems like a strange measuring system but scales were a bit more common that dial calipers in those days.

Old days... black powder.... only way for more power was a larger ball, and larger bore to fire it in. Thus, the reason for the existence of such beasts. Nitro powder and long jacketed bullets killed the old cannons off.

Mike:

Will have to find the chart, but once they got bigger than 1-bores, there is a lettering system used (mostly for punt guns). I didn't realize that until I ran acorss the guide in an old text.

Gauge is still used in wire measure...and used in medical suppies (catherters, needles, ets).

8ga. shotguns were reasonably popular with geese hunters long ago (think the NRA has Grover Cleavland's 8ga. double stashed away)...believe you can still find cases as WW loaded something very much like them (with a kind of belted head) for "kiln guns" (used to knock off slag in furnaces).

Mike:

Will have to find the chart, but once they got bigger than 1-bores, there is a lettering system used (mostly for punt guns). I didn't realize that until I ran acorss the guide in an old text.

Gauge is still used in wire measure...and used in medical suppies (catherters, needles, ets).

8ga. shotguns were reasonably popular with geese hunters long ago (think the NRA has Grover Cleavland's 8ga. double stashed away)...believe you can still find cases as WW loaded something very much like them (with a kind of belted head) for "kiln guns" (used to knock off slag in furnaces).

I saw an article from Rifle Shooter Magazine last night about obsolete ammo. They had a picture of a 4 bore cartridge, it was huge! The blurb below the pictue said it was loaded with a 2000 grain copper coated bullet! Now thats BIG BORE.

For your viewing pleasure:
http://www.exotek.co.uk/stensby/images/various_wall.jpg
That big gun in the lower third of the picture is a 2 Bore hammer gun by Charles Osbourne. 48" Barrel. Weight 35lbs.
http://www.exotek.co.uk/stensby/firearms.htm

All I can say is ............................WOW!!!! :eek:

WOW!!! alyeska338, Did the original owner of that monster hang out with a big blue ox! It makes those other guns in the picture look like toys. That's without a doubt the largest rifle I have ever seen.
thanks for the Picture.

What is this new feeling that I am experiencing? I am kinda overcome with a strong sense of emotion and have the urge to shed a tear. :) Truely amazing. What sort of poor creature would ever have to look down the barrel of that monster? I think it even makes elephant guns appear as varmint guns. It's probably even overkill for the biggest elephants. Like woodchuck'n with a 50BMG.

Bill