I BOUGHT AN 8 BORE DOUBLE RIFLE ONCE OWNED BY JACK LOTT

This is the Biggest cal double rifle I now own. And I love the Jack Lott history - as written and pictured in both the 1983 and 1995 editions of "Big Bore Rifles" by Jack Lott. I always wanted an 8-bore double rifle, and when this one came up for sale I unloaded a bunch of iron to buy it. All the specs are shown above the pictures. I am anxious to get to the range to test it, but need help with loading recommendations. Since it has steel barrels, I intend to load "nitro-for-black" cartridges. Again, your help would be appreciated.

(I also have 2 other rifles attributed to Jack Lott. Picture links are below. The first is a Custom 458 Mauser. The second is a Custom 458 Browning. Both these are also written and pictured in both the 1983 and 1995 editions of "Big Bore Rifles" by Jack Lott.)
http://buckstix.com/buckpics/lotts0.jpg
http://buckstix.com/buckpics/lott-3a.jpg
http://buckstix.com/buckpics/1983magazine.jpg
http://buckstix.com/buckpics/filinga.jpg

http://buckstix.com/buckpics/lott2-1.jpg
http://buckstix.com/buckpics/lott2-5.jpg
http://buckstix.com/buckpics/lott2-6.jpg
http://buckstix.com/buckpics/lott2-8.jpg

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/rodda-000.jpg



Here is another write-up I found about this double.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/rodda-0000.jpg

Awesome and can't wait to read about this one, Buckstix!

Hello all.
Here is an update. I have an 8-bore round ball mold ordered from England, and an 8-bore hollow base conical mold from Accurate Molds. However, both are many weeks away from arriving. So, in the meantime, I improvised a homemade mold of my own. Below are a series of pictures showing my process. I hope to test my bullets later this week. Range report with target to follow.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8-BORE-MOLD-000.jpg

Buck,
Here is loading for an 8 Bore that belongs to a friend. We have shot it at several venues over the years, very comfortable shove, and quite accurate:

"Mine is a smooth bore ball gun that I use 10 drams of 2 f
And mine is technically a 6 bore 91 caliber.
18.25 lb"

Here are some additional details of my Rodda 8-Bore Double rifle ....

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpi...BORE-DETAILS-000.jpg

Well, I am back from the range. Here is the loading technique I used with bullets from my home-made mold, along with my test target. And, also shown is my Buckstix 8-Bore Paradox Crimping Tool that I used for crimping the shells. This is the 78th tool that I've made. No.1 and No.78 are for me ... the other 76 went to fellow shooter. Sights were adjusted for the next trip to the range. I must admit, this sucker really kicks!

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8-bore-loading.jpg



http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8-bore-target.jpg



http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8-78-6.jpg

Looks like it shoots well. Interesting gun.

Next trip to the range will be with a bit lighter load to see if it un-crosses the bullets

Here is the latest update. I tried a lighter load with 55g Blue Dot, but saw no difference from previous. I went back to 60g Blue Dot and cast a heavier pure lead bullet. I also adjusted the wad column. I also changed from lathe turned brass to Parker brass. The lathe turned brass had a thick lower wall with a reduced powder chamber. This produced higher pressure and required severe resizing after the first loading. The thin wall Parker brass seems much stronger and required no resizing even after 3 loading. I am very happy with these results and will move out to 50 yards at the next outing. I also received my Tanner .875 dia round ball mold and will be testing it also.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8-bore-loading-3.jpg



http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8-bore-target-2.jpg

Thanks for posting so we can follow along....that's a pretty tight group! Amazing stack of wads over that powder

Good shooting, buckstix! You must have nerves of steel.

Buck, I've got a .875" flat point 3 ounce mold and a 1940s-50s era absurdly heavy 1650 grain paradox-type mold (that was apparently used to very good effect) along with a copy of an 1880s ~1250 grain mold if you'd like to borrow them or I could send a few bullets to see how they fare in your rifle. .880" 1000 grain balls too. Let me know if you'd like to give any of those a try. I just ordered some of the parker brass to try out after seeing your post!

Bob

Hello Bob, thanks for the offer ... I sent you a private message.

Well, it seemed to take forever to locate a case for my 8-Bore Rodda. I needed a case with a 3 inch inside height. Most cases are only 2-1/2 to 2-3/4" inside. I had to go all the way to Australia to find one. I did some re-configuring to fit every thing inside. All looks good.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpi...DDA-8-BORE-CASED.jpg

Finding a case these days is tough. Looks like you did a good job of fitting.

Ken

Well done Buckstix. I especially like the way you were able to reconfigure the dividers while retaining much of the original lining. Retains a period feeling much better than new felt.

quote:

Originally posted by KDGJ:
Finding a case these days is tough. Looks like you did a good job of fitting.
Ken

Yes, I posted want-ads on all the forums with no luck. I finally found an eBay seller in Australia that had 2 used cases in one lot for sale. Only one was 3" deep inside (this one) and the seller kindly allowed me to buy only the one.

quote:

Originally posted by ChiefR53:
Well done Buckstix. I especially like the way you were able to reconfigure the dividers while retaining much of the original lining. Retains a period feeling much better than new felt.

Yes, I wanted a "vintage" used case that would look appropriate to the rifle. I didn't want a new case.