What the "Gauge" means?

Hans Grueber

This is probably a stupid question and am opening myself up to ridicule, but what does the "Gauge" mean concerning shotguns and how it is related to the the diameter of the barrel? Thanks-Hans

Tailgunner1954

Barrel diameter is determined by the size of the (lead) gauge ball.Gauge= the number of lead balls per pound (.410 is a caliber)4 balls / pound = 4 gauge10 balls / pound = 10 gauge

Rembrandt

Tailgunner is correct.....if you were to take a lead ball just big enough to slide down the barrel of a 12 gauge....12 of these would equal 1 pound....hence the 12 gauge. This method of measurement came from England.The exception is 410 which is not a gauge but a caliber .410 thousandths of an inch. I'm told the 410 originated with early wild west trick shooters like Anne Oakley....they used a .41 caliber lever action rifle with a smooth bore for exhibition shooting....shooters would throw up glass balls, coins, etc for their trick shots. The crowds generally thought these were single projectiles....shooting in arenas shot cartridges were much safer than having bullets flying around.

ref44

And the head of a .45 Colt case is essentially the same dimensions as the .410 shell...thus the ability to fire both rounds in some guns.

barto

you learn something every day. i allways heard it had something to do with the ratio between bore diameter and barrel length.

andersk

Do you tell me that Annie was not using a .22? Now, that is interesting ... VERY interesting.Maybe I should be looking for a .41 cal Winchester Annie Oakley Commemorative and not the Model 9422!Thanks for the info.

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Ken

Rembrandt

...the .41 was used by trick shooters "like Anne Oakley".....not exclusively by her, from what I've read most used a variety of firearms for their exhibitions.

interstatepawnllc

Isn't "Gauge" that little hardcore hottie??