How is the gauge of a shotgun determined? (Other than the .410)
Why’s “12” ... or “16”? ...or...
First correct answer wins 100 pieces of 9mm brass(winner pays shipping cost).
There will be a consolation prize for the best(in my opinion) wrong answer.
Mould forth, and load in peace.
weight of a round ball fitting the bore.... 12 = 1/12lb. 16 = 1/16bl. etc.....
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I was told a long time ago the if you took a pound of lead and divided equally in the form of a ball that would be the gauge. As in 1lb of lead divided in to 12 equal parts in the form of a ball that diameter would be a 12 ga. Likewise As in 1lb of lead divided in to 16 equal parts in the form of a ball that diameter would be a 16 ga. And so on and on... If I'm wrong... If I'm wrong I can live with it.
Well, it's the same as wire gauge, although I can't see how a 20 gauge can carry enough shot to kill anything, but a 7/8th ounce charge would be, what, about a 2 1/2 foot long shell. Sheesh.
But it is convenient to just be able to cut off pieces of 20 gauge wire and load them up. Also, you can load 22, 24 gauge in the 20 gauge safely, but you can'g go any bigger than the gauge you are loading.
Last edited by coloraydo; 10-23-2020 at 01:08 AM. Reason: added important info, and colored purple, just in case.
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It's just like railroad gauge: 12 gauge is standard. 20 gauge is narrow gauge. 16 gauge is metric. and .410 is the kiddie ride at the zoo.
Number of balls that fit the bore which can be made from a pound of lead.
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I guess that was just too easy. Trails, pm me your shipping info if you’d like the 9mm brass.
405, you get the boogie prize. A wad of left over bullet lube. Send your address, also. (Or 50 pieces of 9mm brass, your choice)
Mould forth, and load in peace.
I think the .410 is 60 something gauge....and fun.
And the .38 Special is 100 gauge... and also fun.Originally Posted by Texas by God
There must have been a reason they decided on doing it this way. Probably helped them decide how much black powder was appropriate.
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It came about long before the capability to accurately measure a bore was possible. Casting roundballs and piling them up on a scale was possible.
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In England, where the measurement originated, it’s still referred to (and properly, IMO) as “bore”. “Gauge” is the American version.
Ironically, we refer to the .410 as “bore”.
Imagine hunting elephant with a 4-bore rifle?
This ^^^
410 is a caliber not a gauge.. .Like .41 cal.
leadhead
A .410 is actually a 67 gauge.
I always refer to large rifles as bore, and smoothbore as gauge. Like my 12 bore double rifle, as opposed to the 20 gauge shotgun.
What gauge is a .22 smoothbore long gun? Whew, I almost said "rifle".
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