First 8 gauge handloads
 

Well I had a few ounces of #4 shot so I decided to try loading my first handloads and first 8 gauge loads at that. I bought a simple digital scale from Precision Reloading its not the fastest way to do it but I can always buy a better one in the future. 1 3/4oz of 4s I also decided to use the paper and short brass hulls to make some inert display shells. Would be interesting to be able to make some useable loads out of them but those short brass ones are $7 a pierce so not exactly ideal :rotf:. The BPI roll crimper actually works alot better than I thought it would. I warmed it up first on a old Rem hull and started slow then sped up as I finished the crimp. I was surprised I could get the crimp pretty even using a hand drill.

those loads look real good....charlie

They turned out better than I expected, it also gave a nice roll on the green Rem hull I used to warm it up. I was afraid of getting those hexagon shaped crimps I see with the BPI tool. Charlie I think my most used loading tool is my wood dowel haha I use it for resizing the hulls, opening the case mouth for the fiber wads and to seat them evenly. Im pretty much using all hand tools not the fastest method but its kind of fun sitting at the loading bench doing one at a time.

its not about being the fastest or the best its about going bang and not worrying about my gun or load....I would be proud to shoot a squirl or turkey with them loads your rolling out....charlie

Thanks Charlie, I think the fiber wads look interesting in the clear hulls. At some point I plan to get a wad punch and make my own overshot cards I read a 7/8s or 21-22mm wad punch works well for the 8 gauge.

Milton, you are the "Big Bore Master." I thought of you today while sitting in the gallery at the Rock Island auction and watching some nice 8 bore guns sell. You make me want to try one.

I really like the 8 gauges and have gotten alot of great information from members here and from reading on the British forums. Most these big guns seemed to have been balanced fairly well so the weight doesnt really seem that bothersome. If you had to carry one a distance you could put it in a gunslip with a comfortable strap for carrying to your hunting spot.

Nothing will put a smile on your face like pulling the trigger on a 8 gauge.
You should get one never can tell when you might have a mute swan problem haha.

Unfortunately (or fortunately for my budget), Missouri bans the use of anything larger than a 10 gauge for any hunting. I will say that the 8s I've seen come up for sale at Rock Island have been eye catching...and tempting.

Enjoy your big guns!

Garry AZ had a law also not allowing the use of anything larger than a 10 gauge. It took some effort but over a period of about 2 years I was able to work with the AZ game commission to allow the use of an 8 gauge.
A person can now hunt anything in AZ with the exception of Bison and Migratory birds.

From everything I could find online mute swan is about the only waterfowl you could shoot with one(that is easy to find state side) It is not protected under the migratory bird act although it is protected from being hunted in a few northern states where its considered invasive which is weird. In Georgia you can pretty hunt anything thats not a native species however you want with the exception of migratory birds of course.

Deer
Turkey
Coyotes
Bobcats
Pheasants
Quail
squirrels
non game include Armadillos, Groundhogs, Starlings, Pigeons & English Sparrows and Beavers. Now I dont know anyone who hunts beavers locally but they a pretty huge not something you would want to hit with your vehicle.

I've often said that going from state to state is like going to another planet.

Phil, did you just write lots of letters, make calls, or what? I've also thought we need to split our dove seasons. We have dove for maybe a few days in September in North Missouri and the season is open through to November. We find congregated dove while quail hunting in December. It would be nice to be able to shoot some then.

As for shooting beaver...not legal in Missouri, either. You can trap them (and I assume dispatch one that does not drowned in a trap), but there is no hunting season on them.

An interesting country we live in...

Here I dont think youd even need a trap its not uncommon seeing them out and about near water. Honestly most private land owners/hunters you talk to hunt in whatever manner they deem appropriate for themselves.

beavers are considered a nuisance in this state can be disposed of in way by the land owner....but trapping is the best way....charlie

Nice looking roll crimp Milton. Hey u need to come north to Hausmann's in the spring for a 8 gauge get together and a mad jack competition. Or meet at the Southern for a 8 gauge group shoot.

Ive been meaning to go to one of the shoots but normally during the spring im treating peanut seed then in the fall is harvest season so I have to work around that schedule. Thanks I was nervous using the BPI crimper the first time because of the experiences I have read other people have had with the 1 pin roll crimper. I think maybe starting slow helps I want to say perhaps it was on the 16ga forum where I read it, they mentioned it works alot better at 60-120rpms.

So far im liking how these 8 gauge shells turn out the 10 gauge on the other hand is a headache may just use the old glue in overshot card method on those instead.