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 the rarest gun I have ever seen was a special-order Parker 4 inch 8. The gun weighed  17 pounds. The standard 3-1/4-inch 8 shot 2 ounces.

During the 1920s, Major Charles Askins, gun editor for Outdoor Life, began a campaign to legalize the 8 bore once again. He wanted a gun capable of shooting 2 ounces. By that time10s, first chambered for 2-3/4, had increased to 2-7/8, but this was still short of the 2 ounces he wanted.

He was unsuccessful in getting the ban lifted. So he took another direction in getting a 2-ounce gun. He was fast friends with both Lou Smith, head of Ithaca Guns, and Spencer Olin, of Winchester Western Cartridge Company. The men discussed a 10 bore capable of shooting 2 ounces. Olin agreed to make the shell, Smith the gun. In 1932 the 3-1/2 inch 10 was made, with its 2 ounce load. Askins got the first gun. And I think I am correct that that gun was passed on to Elmer Keith. I have had a field grade 3-1/2 inch 10 for over 30 years. It is my favorite for geese, and especially for turkeys. I have an extra set of barrels for steel shot. Whacks ‘em!

And at least to me, once a 2-ounce gun was available, it made no sense to continue the ban on 8s. I have shot both 4 and 8 bore guns in Scotland for geese (also a 32 ounce punt gun in Northern Ireland). I especially like the 8 bore. I firmly wish we could use 8s in the U.S.  So do a few others.

I currently own two 8 bores. One is a single barrel Midland gun from England with 3-1/4 inch chambers. The other is a double Francotte with 3-1/2 inch chambers. For both, I have removable 10 bore chamber sleeves that allow me to use the guns. But I also have 8 bore shells, loaded for me by a friend. These are for coyotes. I certainly wish I could use them for geese. They pattern well with 2s out to 75 yards. But the likelihood of that era coming to pass is next to zero. So I am just left to hope. And take the guns to Scotland.