Really big bore; 6 gauge

[satx78247]

I keep thinking about that 6-bore for taking BIG boar. = The more that I think about it as a boar-KILLER the more that I think that a 2-ounce conical (Minie-style) bullet, with DEEP hollow base, would be THE perfect weapon out to 50-60M for the biggest "Russian" boar.
(In case you're curious, a hollow-base CB flies true for the same reason that an arrow fired from a longbow doesn't ever land "feathers first".)

just my opinion, satx

 

[Col. Batguano]

A conical in that gun would probably weigh more than 3 oz., but probably closer to 4 oz. A RB (square load) is 2 2/3 oz, or 1/6 of a pound (hence the gauge). And, without any rifling I'm sure it would tumble. Not a big deal out to say 25 yards, but a RB would probably give you better accuracy. Interestingly, at 1100 fps (which is probably a full-house load) it has about 3200 foot pounds of energy, or about the same muzzle energy as a 30-`06. In a side-by-side comparison of the intangible of "killing power" I'm SURE it has more though.

 

[satx78247]

The weight of hollow-base CB depends on how deep the hollow in the base of the bullet it AND to some degree what the alloy that it was cast from is.

IF the CB was built like a MAXI-BALL, you would be 100% correct.

yours, satx

 

[Wes/Tex]

My only comment, as mentioned above, is that anything above 10 gauge is illegal for many types of hunting. All waterfowl are on that list and many upland game birds. Squirrels, bunnies, etc. may be fine but check your states regulations. Some states have much more strict regulations concerning large bored smooth bores.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Well, I went to buy it yesterday, and the guy sold it this weekend at a gun show. I misspoke above. It wasn't a 13 pound gun. It was a 16 pound gun. You know a 2 1/2 oz load would be pretty tame from that, which would have the same recoil inertia as a 1 1/4 oz load from an 8 pound gun (same velocity). Who wants to carry a 16 pound gun any distance?

Too bad it traded. There will be another come along in the next few years I'm sure. It's not like I actually NEED it.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Reminds me of pals Cajun relative who had a double 2 gauge punt gun in the bow of his jon boat. One lock had been converted to percussion and he'd pole through the cattails till he got a good aim at the lake full of ducks. The triggers were wired together and he'd yank'em both together..percussion goes BOOM and pushes stern back adn down so when the flint side goes BOOM, all the duckies are in the air and he gets another load of them! Great idea...he's now doing time, caught by the Louisiana game warden! :wink:

 

[Rifleman1776]

That's a great Cajun story.
And wuz the Sheriff an alligator?
I just love Cajun stories, got a book full of them. :rotf:

 

[Joel/Calgary]

I built a cap lock 4-bore (1-inch). It weighs 20-pounds. I have fired it from the shoulder with 0.990 balls quite a bit.

...

I too wanted to shoot a hog with mine. They banned lead for hunting in my area the year I made the gun. I never got he chance.

Probably too late now, but you could likely have done it by accumulating pewter tankards, candlesticks and such from thrift stores and garage sales, and casting ~3oz pewter balls instead of 4oz lead ones. Tin shot is a legal, but uncommon nowadays, non-toxic alternative in some jurisdictions.

Regards,
Joel

 

[Grandpa Ron]

If I recall correctly, the 8 ga. is still legal for the British waterfowling.

Across the pond we are limited to 10 ga.

The big bores were developed in the black powder days when the max velocity was in the 2000 ft/sec. range. To get more big game power, you needed a bigger bore.

Add to this market hunting and the big bore had their place.

Now they are mostly novelties of a past era.

 

[satx78247]

YEP. The 8-bore shotgun is lawful in the UK for ducks/geese, as is a punt gun of up to (I think I remember) 2-inch bore. = "I've slept since then."
(I know a gentleman in the UK that has built a 1.5" bore punt-gun & a suitable gunning punt from scratch, that he hunts ducks with.= Check out: pidgeonwatch.uk.co for photos.)

Note: The Latin American nation to which I am retiring in 2015 or early 2016 allows single-shot ML punt-guns of up to 60MM bore for sea ducks/geese.
(I'm currently designing a 2-man 60MM punt-gun & a 6x1M gunning skiff, with lateen sail & swinging dagger-boards, for that sport.- The design is a compendium of 3 different MD/DE market hunter's skiffs.)

yours, satx

 

[ncmtmike]

When I was around ten years old,my grandfather and his buddies were shooting this 8 gauge,well I pestered until they let me shoot it,that thing ate my lunch :youcrazy: and gave all the gents there a good belly laugh,haven't wished to try that again.never dipped below a 12 afterwards.

 

[satx78247]

I once had (Wishing that I'd kept it!!!) a DB 10-bore ML which was "quite manageable". = It all depends on the load & the weight/fit of the shotgun.
(I ran into a COL, who had more $$$$$ than sense, and sold it.)

I once (ONCE!!!) fired a 6-bore shotgun, but never again. = UNPLEASANT.

just my OPINION, satx