2 Bore Rifle

[Curt Dawson]

I noted at my local "Borders" book store today in the 2010 "Gun Digest" the very first article was about living with a 2 bore rifle. Shoots a 1350 gr. bullet.That ought to stop any rampaging zombies.

[drdougrx]

Yeah...also comes with a combo retinal and shoulder joint repair kit!   

[charles p]

Only time I ever shot a projectile that size was as a kid - with a slingshot.

There were punt guns mounted on skiffs at the turn of the century - for shooting flocks of waterfowl on the water.  Some may have been that size.  I know they were used on Currituck Sound in NC.

[Graybeard]

I recall reading a story from a fellow from long ago perhaps in the days of my youth or when I was but a young man. He fired some of the old big African rounds like that and quoted a hunter from the period who used a two bore in Africa. What you need to remember is that a two bore would shoot an 8 oz or 1/2 pound round ball of lead.

The hunter commented that when he shot it it never failed to spin him around and give him a headache and a nose bleed. I'll bet it didn't do the shoulder any good either. I wonder what a hunter would do should he miss the first shot or fail to stop a charge since he was spun around and had a head ache and nose bleed to tend to and likely a dislocated shoulder to boot.

[Frank46]

I think running would be the best option. Frank

[Curt Dawson]

Graybeard,if my memory serves me correctly the man you mentioned was named Baker. He hunted in in both Asia and Africa.

[efremtags]

There's an article floating around on the web of a gun build who built a 4-bore and took it buffalo hunting in the last few years. Luggin a 30+ pound gun that shoots 8oz slugs is very effective. Fortunately they invented modern gun powder and the pioneers of Africa switched to the Nitro class o guns about a day after the new powders were available. My guess is that chiropractors were not as readily available in the 1850's African bush.

It's an interesting read because he self built the gun, so you learn both about double rifle craftsmanship and old school caliber development.

[blind ear]

Frank46, +1 

[Frank46]

Eddiegjr, well its only logical since the recoil spins you around, at least your headed in the right direction. besides at62years
of age I'm long past the stage where running is an option. getting old stinks. Frank

[blind ear]

Frank46, me to, the last time I tried to "get away" from some wasp, after the first step, the secound thing that hit the ground was my belly, had to lay there a minute and take inventory before I got up. eddie

[Curt Dawson]

And loaded with shot shells it is great for home defense and great for squirrels and such.LOL

[Frank46]

Eddiegjr, Reminds me of the time I tried to push my generator into the truck bed up the ramps. Almost got run over by the generator on the way back down. tore up my right knee and walked like "Chester" from gunsmoke for a long time. Frank

[blind ear]

The article was about "living with" a 2 bore rifle.

I do imagine the beast has a presence of it's own.

[jro45]

With the werght of the 2-bore I'd have a deer cart to carrie my rifle around.

[DCmauser]

The 1890 Baker book is “Wild Beasts and their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, asia, Africa and America” by Sir Samuel.  Old post-copyright books are sometimes available for free down-load or full-preview on google-Books and perhaps other sites.  It has been re-printed, '06 or '07 (2006/2007).

That guy measured his powder in Drams (1 dram = 60 grains), to nearest half dram or 30 grains; he wrote of using 6 to 6-1/2 drams of black powder (360g - 390g)!   He also wrote that a rifle should weigh 11-1/2 to 12 pounds and that Express .360 calibers and below were Toys and not for use on Ordinary game.  He wrote that shooters of his H&H Paradox rifle would use rifle carriers leaning back-up into shooter and recoil would still knock the two men down.

[kevinsmith5]

I seem to recall they used to say when you shot a rifle like that at an elephant that whoever got back up first was the winner

[Brithunter]

Only time I ever shot a projectile that size was as a kid - with a slingshot.

There were punt guns mounted on skiffs at the turn of the century - for shooting flocks of waterfowl on the water.  Some may have been that size.  I know they were used on Currituck Sound in NC.

Punt Guning for wildfowl is still legal here in the UK and yes it still happens. In fact I was recently reading an article on how a new double punt was built to an old design. The gun for that one is a 4 bore. Even the best makers made Punt Guns and firms like Holland & Holland and Purdey made them in muzzle loading and breech loading types. I believe my stalking (Deer hunting) mentor used to Punt Gun on the Wash. The Wash is a wildfowl rich place on the east coast of England. If you wish to find it on a map then look up Boston, the original one  , as it's on the edge of the Wash.


Now I have lifted a single barrel 4 Bore breech loader and despite it having a shoulder stock actually using it as a shoulder arm from the standing position was impossible to do alone. The only way we could come up with doing so was to either rest the barrel on someones shoulder or lift the barrel vertically and drop it down as slowly as possible and try to squeeze the shot off as the sights aligned with the the target. The gun weight 27 lbs  .  Oh a 4 bore takes a 1/4lb ball 

[Hodr]

Wild beasts and thier ways by Sir Samuel is available no charge online.  Google "Project Gutenberg"  Look up under titles and open under read online.  Great source on all copywright expired literature.  Try Kipling and the Barracks room Ballads if you have a little timw.

blindhari

[StrawHat]

Baker was an unusually well built and fit hunter for the day.  Something like 6'5" or so and wighed around 280.  Hunting for him was an adventure and reading his exploits is truly inspiring.  The rifle he referred to as "Baby" was a three bore and he occassionally fired a hlaf pound explosive shell from it.  He discovered the round ball was a better projectile as the 1/2 pounder did not offer the penetration he desired.  And the explosive part was unreliable.  He was also found of 10 bore stalking rifles and carried a knife made from a Claighmore. 

Hunting with his hounds was a favorite sport.