Sould it be illegal to hunt with 8 gauge?

[J.B. Books]

Guns larger than 10ga were outlawed by the Lacey Act in 1918. Waterfowl populations were on the decline, guns and ammunition had improved greatly (repeaters, nitro powder, choke, fluid steel etc) from the days of muzzle-loading cylinder bores and there was an attempt to institute and regain "fair chase". Remember not only was bore size restricted repeaters were limited to 3 shots as well by this law.

The 10 gauge 3 1/2" magnum had yet to be invented and in hindsight when it was invented I am surprised the law was not amended to limit shell length. Somewhere earlier in the 2000's the Lacey Act was amended limiting shell length to 3 1/2", this was done after the 12ga 3 1/2" came out and rumors began circulating about a "super magnum 10ga" could be developed that was 4" and longer. Steel shot made longer shells ballistically feasible.

I have never shot an 8ga, but I have shot 10ga's. They are vastly more capable than a 12ga and far more effective even when shooting the same shot weight. The bigger bore makes a difference. I have no doubt a good 8ga would be another leap forward in capability from a 10 and could really reach out and touch them. For that reason alone it will most likely remain banned. I just don't see a conservation minded organization like DU championing the return of guns bigger than 10ga.

I would say that for waterfowl hunting since it is federally regulated you don't have much of a chance to reverse a law that is 92 years old. You might have a chance to change state laws to allow it's use for Turkey hunting but again you will have a big job in front of you to do that.

Good luck.