2-bore beatdown

[mongrel]

I had the opportunity to shoot one of Colin Stolzer's (CowboyCS) creations, a muzzleloading 2-bore firing a lead ball that was, literally, right at 1 1/4" in diameter. The "plinking" load I fired took 350 grains of 2F, whereas a hunting load (suitable for angry elephant or cape buffalo) would have required 500 grains. We ran out of powder and this little session took place during a relay at the Friendship, IN, September 2010 Shoot, so five shots were not in the cards. I would have been glad to complete my string, and several shooters were willing to ante up the 1050 grains of powder that would have been required, but this thing going off shook the whole range and along with not wanting to abuse the generosity of those offering the powder I was worried that someone's score might suffer if I touched off just as they were squeezing off a shot.

Here's some video that Colin shot -- enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91gAE6tac_k

[Tim Burns]

Holy Shmoley    That looks like just a WEE bit too much fire power!  I'll stick with a .32 or .36

[Hawken50]

  Wow....gives new meaning to percieved recoil.

[old salt]

All that thing needs is a pair of wheels

[Otter]

Might want to consider some block and tackle so as to take up some of the recoil! Gotta admit it does look like a blast. Pun intended! 

[flintboomer]

A half pound ball and 350-500 grain charge? That is a lot heavier than my elk loads! I remember trying a friend's .85 with a 180 gr charge and it was not as bad as it sounds, but you do have to be able to roll with the recoil. I don't think the 2 bore would be much fun off the bench.

[Hanshi]

Looks like a nothing more than a pleasant nudge .  Accuracy appears to be good enough for squirrels - we shoot for the head.   What about a companion handgun?

[flintboomer]

Would the appropriate sidearm be a hand grenade?

[mongrel]

African hunters back in the BP days likened shooting one of these things to unleashing your own personal earthquake. My biggest concern was to be positively certain I didn't lose hold of it -- I've seen video of guys shooting big-bore guns who have the things simply fly out of their hands. I was inclined to think they didn't have proper hold to begin with but never having shot something along these lines I didn't feel qualified to say for certain. Now -- I'll say shooting one of these is do-able. Not exactly pleasant but fun all the same. But of course I wimped out and only shot the plinking load....

[Red Badger]

hey you didn't wimp you actually took the bull (calf) by the horns and fired it... I know many who when offered the opertunity run the other way 

[Hanshi]

Would the appropriate sidearm be a hand grenade?

Hmmm, good idea.

[Blackfeet]

My hat is off to you. I would run, but doctors orders, my excuse...... detached retina and I would like to keep it at only one

[mongrel]

One of Colin's two-handed cannons wouldn't be the sort of thing you wanted to be touching off, then. That was another reason to jump at the chance to shoot the thing -- I've been damaged some in the past and my job tends to be hard on the body at times, and if there was to be a next time that I had the chance I might not be in any shape to go for it.

If I might mention, quickly, something of a non-muzzleloading nature -- also on the list of guns I'd like to shoot, just once before they mix my ashes in with the hog slops, is something along the lines of a .600 or .700 Nitro Express double rifle, and though in comparison it wouldn't amount to nearly as much I'd also like to shoot at least a five-round group from a bolt gun chambered for the .416 Rigby. Or the Hoffman, Remington, or Taylor; you can keep the Weatherby version, as neither the Mark V nor the proprietary cartridges chambered in it interest me in the slightest.

Wouldn't mind a round or two of a monster called the .577 Tyrannosaur, either.

But if I never get to shoot any of the above, I shot that 2-bore and walked away from the experience with a big ol' happy smile on my face and no undue aches or pains. That alone makes me a happy camper.

[Tim Burns]

Mike: Glad You were smiling The biggest gun i ever fired was a .378 Weatherby magnum...And will never do it again Have had both shoulders rebuilt, Don't need the agravation. The Little .32 is my favorite now

[flintboomer]

If offered the chance I would take it! I might think "Should I do this at my age?" Then I would most likely pick it up, point it downrange to get the feel of it and say "Let's load her up!"

What is the bore size in inches?