What Happened to the 8-Bore Shotgun?
By Worth Mathewson In 1913, the very important Weeks-McLean Migratory Bird Act was passed by Congress. The principal aim was to outlaw market hunting and to protect non-game birds. A part of this Act was to outlaw the use of guns larger than the 10 bore. The aim was to put an end to punt guns, but of course it took the 8 and 4 bores with it. (Four bores are not punt guns; they are shot off the shoulder.) But in reality, the ban on 8 bores wasn’t necessary. While 8 bores were used by some market hunters early on, by the late 1890s, they had turned to pumps and autos. The old 8s were interesting guns. In England they were greatly favored for waterfowl, especially geese, over the 10 bore. The standard 8 was chambered for 3-1/4 inch shells. Most of these basic 8s weighed about 12 pounds. But it was also made with 3-1/2, 3-3/4 and 4-inch chambers. The massive 4-inch guns weighed up to 18 pounds, and shot up to 3 ounces, the standard load for 4 bores. Very likely...


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