The Mighty Eight Bore

In the mid to late 1800s the 8 Bore (or gauge)  was a pretty common RIFLE caliber for African hunters. The bore or gauge designation refers to the number of round pure lead balls of exact bore diameter that it took to weigh a pound. Most 8 Bore rifles used a paper case and were a true 8 Bore using projectiles of .875 diameter. Round balls started at around 1,000 grains and conical bullets of up to 1650 grains can be found. Cases varied in length, the most common been 3 ¼ inches but 3 ½ and even 4 inch cases can be encountered. Standard powder charge was 10 Dram of FFG Black Powder although “African Loads” of up to 16 Dram were used on occasions. One Dram equals 27.5 grains so powder charges varied from 275 grains to 440 grains, recoil is “brisk” when the heavier charges are used with the heavier bullets. Four bores were also used but in far fewer numbers and few have survived to this day.

Typical double barrelled 8 Bore rifles weighted in the 16  – 18 lb even at this weight most shooters find the recoil level is approaching the maximum they can handle. A 17 lb rifle is a heavy rifle when you are hunting under a scorching African sun, when your arms are fatigued from the weight, your reaction time is likely to increase, this is not good if you have a mean spirited Cape Buffalo waiting to ambush you.

What is not generally appreciated today is the great clouds of smoke that these  Black Powder loaded rifles generated. Very often the smoke prevented a fast accurate second shot from been fired, the hunter really had to make the first round count.

Given the weight and handicap of the smoke it is little surprise that when the .450 Nitro Express cartridge was introduced it became extremely popular overnight. Not only did we now have a rifle in a manageable 10 – 11 lb weight, the dense clouds of smoke were a thing of the past and now we had greatly improved penetration from the smaller higher velocity jacketed bullet.

Pictured above is a Rogers Rock & Co 8 Bore Double Rifle. She has 26 inch barrel weighs 16.2 lb. Chamber is 8 Bore x 3 ½ inch.  Birmingham proofed. Jones patent rotary-underlever, carved percussion fences, non rebounding back action locks. Wide full length rib with one standing and two folding leafs. Rogers Rock Company was listed as an “East Indian Company, Export Agent in 1882 with offices in London, Brussels, Paris and Italy. This rifle along with 10 rds of new brass and custom reloading dies is listed for sale. POR.

Pictured above is a Manton & Co 8 Bore Double Rifle. She has 24 inch barrel weighs 17.2 lb. Chamber is 8 Bore x 3 ¼ inch. London proofed. Jones patent rotary-underlever, rebounding back action locks. Wide full length rib with one standing and two folding leafs and doll’s head extension. I recently to this rifle to Africa on safari and successfully harvested a Bull Ellie, Cape Buffalo and Hippo.