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Bore diameter and projectile weight make a big difference.

Also, keep in mind that the slow burn rate means large powder columns work harder to push themselves out the bore.

My 8-bore will...

Just did a bit of research and see some people claiming over 2000fps.

Would be an interesting test.

Thank you, looks good!

This will also allow me to test some 1300gr boolits a friend sent me, that are a bit too big.

Thank you.

Im not a collector, if I don't shoot it, I sell it. If anything I wish it wasn't an antique. I feel a little bad using it as much as I do. It will be used heavily and worked fairly hard...

I'm not much of a "handgun guy" but I do have a Pedersoli 69 caliber pistol. It's a neat novelty that I bring out to parties from time to time. I use a 65 caliber loose ball over 70gr of black...

There are lots of silly beliefs out there. People hear 85 caliber and believe it's some monster hunting gun... When in reality the 8-bore was the 19th century version of the 375 H&H. The real monster...

With reloading components what they are these days. My vote is for a single shot rifle in a black powder cartridge. Black powder is much easier to get than smokeless powder. A trap door, rolling...

Here is the design I ended up with:
https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=85-1020

I'm just waiting for it to arrive so I can try it out.

@JRD that is a good idea!

My brass was made by Rocky Mountain Cartridge and costs around $25 per case. The pressures are very low and the brass is very thick. These should last a long time.

The...

The mold is custom. My next plan is to have Accurate Molds make me a mold for a shorter boolit.

The 8-bore had its first public debut this weekend at a small neighborhood gathering. My original plan was to load 10 cartridges with a ball over Blue Dot (lightest recoiling load), but then I looked...

Regulating load is 10 drams or 273gr of black powder. I also use 67gr of Alliant Blue Dot as a nitro-for-black load.

The log appears to show a date of 21/10/95 (could be 96 though) for this particular gun and the bores slug at 0.847".

When shots cross, you typically need to reduce velocity. If the shots are far apart, then you typically increase velocity.

In my case it is hard to tell, because I haven't had much luck with this...

Sadly, I don't have any information beyond its manufacture. Here is a copy of the original ledger, given to me by the gentleman who sold me the rifle.
324449

It's hard to read, but it just states...

I have been struggling to get readings with either of my chronographs due to the filler. I've managed one reading at 1340fps. That is using a "nitro for black" load.

I bought the gun off the...

Balls are not ideal for dangerous game. I use a 1200gr conical. These work without being sized as well but it would make them more consistent.

Thanks for the replies!

@GhostHawk The gun was made before 1899 and is not legally considered a firearm.

I'm looking for some sort of tool/die to size 0.850" boolits. Anyone know of a company that could make something like this?

Thank you!
-Matt

Some people have asked me to post some pictures of my 8-bore.

This is my W.J. Jeffery 8-bore 3.25". The rifle has 24" barrels with 0.847" bores and weighs in at 16lb 10oz. Per the ledger that was...

In retrospect, I wish I had taken a picture of the smoke cloud.

I don't think I've posted any pictures of the rifle on this forum. It's a W.J. Jeffery 8-bore 3.25" (0.847" bores) double rifle with...

Up until today, I have been using Blue Dot loads in my 8-bore double rifle. However, I finally decided to see what sort of fun it would be to duplicate the original regulating load for my gun.
...

Thanks for the replies all!

My projectiles weigh between 900 and 1350gr.

I have been using an old Dillion electric scale for many years now and have had no complaints. However, with the purchase of an 8-bore, I have found the scales limit. The boolits for the 8-bore are...

Range was around 47 yards.

I'm not sure what you mean by "what distance were the barrels regulated for?" and if I'm misunderstanding, please forgive me. A properly regulated gun typically has the...