If my figures are right, an eight gauge is a .835 caliber and would shoot a approximately 875 grain roundball. Does that sound about right? 1 ounce equals 437.5 grains so that means that ball weighs about two ounces so it would be 8 ball to the pound. So I am guessing I am close in the figures. When you consider a Brown Bess musket is .73-.75 caliber which would be approximately a 12 gauge, with that big 8 you are looking at some serious firepower. I'd really like to watch Doegirl cut loose with that bad boy.. Personally I am not sure I would want to shoo that too many times,although being the kind of person I am, I probably would.