2 gauge bigger than 12 gauge?Why?

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Yohan

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What exactly is the gauge measuring? And why is a small gauge considered to more powerful than a bigger gauge? Inquiring mind wishes to know.
 
IIRC, Gauge is the size of the round lead ball that will fit down the bore. A ball that weighs one pound will give you a 1 gauge barrel. When two balls equal a pound, the diamater of the balls is 2 gauge. Therefore, 2 gauge is 1/2 a pound. 12ga is then 1/12th of a pound. 16ga is 1/16th of a pound (1 ounce round ball). There are a few variances, but they simply measure bore diameter such as .410 inches and 9mm which are both shotgun shell names.
 
Badger is correct. The practice of calling out sizes in caliber (1/100 of an inch) is relatively recent. In the Kentucky rifle days a gun was calibrated at so many balls to the pound. In that case, the larger the number, the smaller the caliber. Shotgun gauge is similar.
 
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