Factory loaded 4 gauge shells are scarce but not unknown. I've had a couple for years, both American and I believe both UMC.

DLH

Some Winchester 8-gauge NPEs from the current Wards Auction --

https://www.wardscollectibles.com/vi....php?item=1017

this is a rare box of 8 ga hulls wish i could afford them..charlie

I looked through UMC catalogues from 1887 to 1909 and found they offered their "Best" Quality brass NPE in a 4-inch 4-gauge --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps746d500a.png

and a "First Quality" (brown) paper NPE in 4-inch 4-gauge for black powder only. 1887 --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psa992df13.png

1901 --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps248856ae.png

The only loaded 4-gauge shell I found offered was the Yacht Gun shell loaded with 18 drams of black powder.

what a lot of smoke and noise that18 drams of blackwould make...thanks forthe postings..i have a umc and co.loaded 4 ga shell it is a paper hull with card board color hull it was not loaded byumc but was loaded by vl and d of new york top wad only gives no 4 shot wish it had the ounces of lead and powder... thanks again...charlie

I know this is a very old thread, but a March 1, 1906, Winchester ammo catalog showed up on ebay today. It shows they offered 8-gauge LEADER shells with loads up to 6 drams of bulk smokeless powder or the equivalent in dense smokeless powder and 2 ounces of shot.

Attachment 110861

If I was allowed to edit those old posts, I could replace the pictures lost to the Photobucket hostage taking.

I was just looking thru my 8 ga shells I seen a Winchester leader loaded with 7 drams of black powder and 2 1/4 ounce of shot..also a umc loaded 8 ga shell with 7 drams of black powder and 2 1/4 ounce of lead shot..2 1/4 ounce is the heaviest factory loads I have seen so far....charlie

That is what the Winchester ammo catalog on ebay shows. The heaviest black powder load offered is 7 drams pushing 2 1/4-ounce of shot.

Attachment 110862

Union Metallic Cartridge Co. showed bulk smokeless loads as heavy as the black powder loads in 1900 --

Attachment 110863

but backed off the smokeless loads for 1901 --

Attachment 110864

today I loaded up some Remington 8 ga black hulls with 7 grams of black powder and 2 1/4 ounce of shot...I always wondered how it felt to shoot some of these loads now I know...I used the Remington black hull ued cci primer 7 drams by measure and 2 1/4 ounce of no 6 lead shot..used 2 1/8 inch fiber wads over black that I had made 1 split wad over shot...no crimp used...all I can say it was a very loud explosion and a good pattern on a 5 gallon bucket at 30 steps...it kicked some but very manageable...I expect my powder not as good as factory black but still a good load..i amigine in its day this 7 fram load was used for long range load...will try a buckshot load next with the black..i shot this load in a 8 ga davenport single barrel weight about 11 1/2 lbs........

8 ga buckshot load
 

today I loaded up 2 Remington black 8 ga hulls with 00 buck..i used 7 drams of black powderin both loads...in one hull I loaded 12 00 buck in the other one I loaded 16 00 buck..i shot the 16 pellet load first at 43 steps to target it had a 3 foot pattern with all pellets in the circle .... next I shot the 12 pellet load it had a 3 foot pattern with only 10 of the 12 pellets in the circle...used noshot cup...may get better pattern if I use a shotcup that will be my next try...charlie