doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com I. Hollis 8 Bore Big game rifle - what to load ?

I have only ever shot black powder in a Navy Colt or a Remington cap and ball, but that was enough to tell me that I did not want to do it very much!!! But, since I don't have to do the clean up or pack up back into the truck, I sure do enjoy seeing YOU GUYS shoot it!!! I love the smoke and the flame that sometimes exits the muzzle especially at early morning or at dusk. But, again, I will continue to enjoy watching others shoot it. Just not for me.

Buckstix,

Given the size of the beasts that rifle was built to tackle, that trajectory gives you a “point blank” range aiming at 6 o’clock on the kill zone out to 125 yards.

It would be tricky for harvesting rabbits, but so would be finding the remains of any rabbits hit.

in Samuel Baker's book Wild Beasts and Their Ways in one paragraph in Chapter One he states "I have shot with every size rifle from a half pounder explosive shell, and I do not think any larger bore is actually necessary than a No. 8, with a charge of twelve to fourteen drams of powder. Such a rifle should way 15 lbs., and the projectile would weigh 3 ounces of hardened metal." Get a copy of this book if you can, it's a fascinating look into large bore game hunting in the BP era.

Hmm, 328 to 382 grains of powder... and, a 1312 grain bullet!

An 1850s Case for my 1850s Hollis 8-Bore.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/hollis-cased.jpg