Can you own an 8 gauge shotgun?

8-gauge shotgun. They are an obsolete gauge that has not been made in the U.S. since the late 19th century and are illegal today for hunting waterfowl. It’s also illegal to shoot waterfowl with lead shot. The 10-gauge shotgun is the largest one used in the U.S. today.

Why are 8 gauge shotguns illegal?

As shotguns and shells became more efficient in the beginning of the 20th century, the 12 gauge shotgun became more effective for hunting and the large, clumsy 8 gauge became obsolete. It was banned for waterfowl hunting in 1938 by the Federal Firearms Act.

Are 10 gauge shotguns legal?

10 gauge – A heavy firearm with a forceful recoil, the 10 gauge is the largest legal shotgun in the United States. It’s not as popular as it once used to be, though it is still in use. It’s used primarily for hunting waterfowl, such as goose and duck.

What’s the biggest gauge shotgun you can buy?

10 gauge
10 gauge – A heavy firearm with a forceful recoil, the 10 gauge is the largest legal shotgun in the United States. It’s not as popular as it once used to be, though it is still in use. It’s used primarily for hunting waterfowl, such as goose and duck.

Are 12 gauge shotguns legal?

These guns are illegal to own unless they were registered during the ATF’s now-expired grace period. 12-gauge Crude Manufacture: “Barrel less than 18 inches and/or overall length less than 26 inches, stock altered, barrel cut down.

What happened to the 10 gauge shotgun?

The 3½-inch 12-gauge load made the 10-gauge shotgun obsolete, but the big gun made a comeback in the 1990s when steel shot was required to hunt waterfowl. There were also a small number of shooters who hand-loaded 10-gauge shells, ramping up the velocity with larger shot to make the loads more potent.

What’s the shortest shotgun that is legal?

Under the National Firearms Act (NFA), it is illegal for a private citizen to possess a sawed-off modern smokeless powder shotgun (a shotgun with a barrel length shorter than 18 inches (46 cm) or a minimum overall length of the weapon, total, including the 18-inch minimum barrel, of under 26 inches (66 cm)) (under …