8 Bore Wishing

[Milton C Starr]

The problem with those conversions are while the breech is big enough to be bored out for the 8 ga cartridges, the barrels dont have the wall thickness to bored to true .835". So you have to get a bit creative they are bored to around .815" give or take. Even then they still seem to have problems with bulging. I think youd want a 10 gauge with a minimal wall thickness of .100" so when you bore it out to 8 ga youd have the .040 MWT which is what i see on alot of 8 and 10 ga doubles.

Seems like you could use one of those magnum 10 gauges and have a set of 8 ga barrels made for it of course that would set you back about 10k. I knew a gunsmith who used to bore out the H&R single shot 10 gauges to 8 ga, he proofed tested them to 21k psi. He stopped doing it though because who wants to spend $600 on reboring a barrel on what was then a $200 gun.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Milton C Starr

The problem with those conversions are while the breech is big enough to be bored out for the 8 ga cartridges, the barrels dont have the wall thickness to bored to true .835". So you have to get a bit creative they are bored to around .815" give or take. Even then they still seem to have problems with bulging. I think youd want a 10 gauge with a minimal wall thickness of .100" so when you bore it out to 8 ga youd have the .040 MWT which is what i see on alot of 8 and 10 ga doubles.

Seems like you could use one of those magnum 10 gauges and have a set of 8 ga barrels made for it of course that would set you back about 10k. I knew a gunsmith who used to bore out the H&R single shot 10 gauges to 8 ga, he proofed tested them to 21k psi. He stopped doing it though because who wants to spend $600 on reboring a barrel on what was then a $200 gun.

You’re kinda missing the point . Sure you can do all your suggesting and have a usable gun , but most people me included wouldn’t go to the trouble or expense . This is more about using something that was made in the 1880’s to early 1900’s because you already have it and load for it . And want to say you tried it for X Y and or Z .

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

You’re kinda missing the point . Sure you can do all your suggesting and have a usable gun , but most people me included wouldn’t go to the trouble or expense . This is more about using something that was made in the 1880’s to early 1900’s because you already have it and load for it . And want to say you tried it for X Y and or Z .

I mean purely from a stand point of the converted guns.

[Roundsworth]

A few years ago, Minnesota DNR decided that shotguns larger than 10 gauge were not authorized for hunting turkey. I wonder how many 8s there are in the entire state. Tom Armbrust made a bunch of 1-1/2 ounce loads for me a few years back when I intended on using my 8 for turkeys. Tom's loads, at 1200 FPS, are tame compared to all the HEAVY 12 and 10 gauge loads, specifically made for turkey and waterfowl. I wonder how many people in our DNR have even SEEN a real 8 bore shotgun, let alone firing one. Someone on our gubmint payroll had too much time on his/her hands!

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Mark Landskov

A few years ago, Minnesota DNR decided that shotguns larger than 10 gauge were not authorized for hunting turkey. I wonder how many 8s there are in the entire state. Tom Armbrust made a bunch of 1-1/2 ounce loads for me a few years back when I intended on using my 8 for turkeys. Tom's loads, at 1200 FPS, are tame compared to all the HEAVY 12 and 10 gauge loads, specifically made for turkey and waterfowl. I wonder how many people in our DNR have even SEEN a real 8 bore shotgun, let alone firing one. Someone on our gubmint payroll had too much time on his/her hands!

I honestly think 8’s down to 410’s the only loads I shoot that are even remotely stout are the factory flyer loads , factory 3” 12/20 and factory 10 3 1/2” . And no I shoot no great amount of any of them . Perhaps 200 flyer loads in a year . The others maybe 20 total between the three in a year .