billedm2000 Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 I am a British translator and I need your expertise! I am having some trouble understanding the difference between gauge and calibre. I know they are different measurement systems, but unfortunately the French seem to use the same word for both. While I understand the principles, this makes it very hard to recognise whether or not the measurement in question is gauge or calibre. If only the number is given without "mm", would that typically be referring to gauge? Is calibre normally under a rough value, while gauge is typically above one? Is gauge generally used for a different type of ammunition to calibre? In general, we think gauge tends to be a value over about 12, is this correct? Thank you so much in advance for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 (edited) Welcome to Pigeon Watch! Calibre is usual for rifles and bore or gauge (an American system) for shotguns. Edited November 27, 2020 by TIGHTCHOKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 By and large, calibre is the term for single projectile guns whereas bore (in English) or Gauge (in American) relates to guns which fire shot. Naturally, as ever, just to confuse the issue, there are exceptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 Gauge............. 12 gauge ............= 12 balls / lb 16 gauge.............= 16balls/lb 28 gauge..............= 28balls/lb so the gauge is the diameter of the size of the ball that fits the internal dimensions of the barrel...and therefore relates to the weight of the shot load single projectile weapon (as wimberly says)....is usually measured in mm or imperial (in") eg: 9mm....or .410" ......or .45"......etc..........410" if you do the calculation could be expressed as a gauge..... generally a gun that fires a round or a weight of round projectiles is normally expressed as a gauge.......... does that sound right ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billedm2000 Posted November 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 Thank you all! That's cleared things up a bit, I should be able to recognise calibre and guage/bore a bit more easily now. That's all very useful to know. Have a good weekend all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 Be aware that the French/continentals refer to a .410 as a 12mm. .410” is obviously 10,4mm. For some reason for this ammunition they use the outside dimension of the cartridge case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 41 minutes ago, London Best said: Be aware that the French/continentals refer to a .410 as a 12mm. .410” is obviously 10,4mm. For some reason for this ammunition they use the outside dimension of the cartridge case. There's one very good reason for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 Edge of seat now.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 Is 10.4mm another centre fire calibre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Calibre is mainly used when refereeing to rifled arms such as rifles and pistols . Bore size is normally used when referring to smooth bore guns as in shotguns . Gauge are what the Americans and some other non European countries call bore sizes . So therefore gauge and bore are the same thing. As with all else guns being no exception there are peculiarities and anomaly's particularly in the .410 and 9mm shotgun size description but theses are few . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 isnt 410 also listed as 36 gauge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 10 hours ago, hawkfanz said: isnt 410 also listed as 36 gauge? The Americans seem to think so! But .410 actually works out as a 67.49 gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 On 30/11/2020 at 08:47, London Best said: The Americans seem to think so! But .410 actually works out as a 67.49 gauge. based on the "bore" discussion...........what bore is a .410 ie: work out the diameter of a lead ball thats fits the cylinder of the barrell...and however many of those diameter balls weigh in at 1lb=gauge ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 2 hours ago, ditchman said: based on the "bore" discussion...........what bore is a .410 ie: work out the diameter of a lead ball thats fits the cylinder of the barrell...and however many of those diameter balls weigh in at 1lb=gauge ? As above post, 67.49 bore, or gauge if you are an American. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, London Best said: As above post, 67.49 bore, or gauge if you are an American. what is the diameter of a barrell of a 1 bore..............? edit ..sorted.....googled "a shotguns gauge" Edited December 2, 2020 by ditchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 47 minutes ago, ditchman said: what is the diameter of a barrell of a 1 bore..............? edit ..sorted.....googled "a shotguns gauge" Do tell, ‘cos I dunno! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 39 minutes ago, London Best said: Do tell, ‘cos I dunno! FYI 10 bore.............775" 16 bore..............663" 28 bore..............545" 1 bore................1.660" 12 bore...............729" 1 bore diameter ball weighs......1lb 2 " " ditto ......1/2 lb 4 " " ditto .....1/4 lb there you go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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