doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 8 gauge field day

I wanted to share something a little different. Had a great time hunting pheasants and sharp-tails with the 8 gauge yesterday in Idaho. The gun pictured is a WC Scott & Sons made in 1873. Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch let me start off by saying that Idaho has a shell length restriction and not a gauge restriction. Idaho is the only state you can hunt upland game with an 8 bore or 4 bore if you want. I only use black powder shells loaded with 1 1/2 oz. of #6 shot. Very mild and the same payload of most 12 gauge pheasant loads. Hunting or shooting a big bore shotgun is certainly not for everyone but for those who have done it there is nothing like the feel, sound, and visual of waiting for a bird to clear or not clear the cloud of smoke. Yes it's heavy at 11 lbs. but it sure settles into the hands well when you bring it up to your shoulder. It's fun to keep and see these old iron behemoths in action. Like Frank said, "I did it my way."

Awesome! A few years back, I bought a real nice ca1903 Davenport 'Goose Gun' for turkeys. It is a single barrel 8 with lots of case colors and twist pattern remaining. I had Tom Armbrust load a bunch of ammunition, too. Well, the following year, the Minnesota DNR made a new rule.....no shotguns larger than 10 gauge for turkey hunting. I wrote a letter to the DNR and was told that my elected officials make those laws. Anyway, good job on your hunt. I am envious! Cheers!

Just wondering…..what is the shell length restriction?

3 1/2 inches

Idiotic laws, and for what?

Glad you enjoyed it. A small side note, I can’t remember ever firing 1 1/2 ounce of shot at anything, 12 gauge or otherwise.

Best,
Ted

I revel in your right to use an 8 gauge on game in Idaho. But, like Ted I have no desire to shoot 1 1/2 oz. of shot at much of anything, much less a pheasant. But, I'm happy for you, appreciate the post, and enjoyed the pictures.

I wasn't expecting the 3-1/2" limit. From any realistic standpoint, they legalized any shotgun made. They made a save face decision.

It's really not about the amount of shot. An 8 gauge needs 1 1/2 oz to pattern well. It is generally considered the minimum. Back in the day most 8 gauge loads were 2 oz. or 2 1/4 oz. especially for waterfowl. F.P.S. is only around 1050 with black powder. It's definitely not about the killing but about the experience of carrying such a gun afield again. I also use 12 gauge inserts in the 8 gauge to fire standard 1 oz or 1 1/8 loads. If you look in the picture the second barrel has an insert with the 12 gauge shell. Many people love shooting the 28, 20, and 16 at game. I do as well but there is nothing like the feel of a 10 gauge with black powder and occasionally the 8 gauge.

😃