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"Gauge" is used to describe the bore size of a shot-firing weapon. Although bore sizes range incrementally from 1.5 up to 32 (with an aberrant 67.5 topping the scale), 10, 12, and 20 gauge (aside from the .410 shotgun that measures in caliber) are the most common bore sizes, with 12 gauge leading the group in popularity. Most civil, police, and military shotguns are 12 gauge weapons. A 12 gauge shotgun has a bore size of 18.53mm (.729", or 72 caliber).
The gauge number is the number of lead balls of that gun's bore diameter that would weigh a pound. The smaller the number, the larger the bore.
Sizes of shot is the individual lead or steel pellets that are fired from the weapon, which vary as well. The most common combat load is 00 shot, pronounced "double-aught." A typical 12 gauge shotgun shell loaded with 00 Shot contains nine to fifteen pellets (nine for standard, 12 or 15 for magnum shells). Each pellet is 8.4 mm in diameter (0.33" or 33 caliber) and weighs 3.45 grams.
12 gauge shotgun shellEdit
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells.
12 gauge, coin shotEdit
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells, coin shot.
12 gauge, magnumEdit
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells, magnum.
12 gauge, bean bagEdit
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells, bean bag.
12 gauge, slugEdit
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells, slug.
12 gauge flechetteEdit
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells, flechette.
12 gauge EMPEdit
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells, electromagnetic pulse.
12 gauge rubberEdit
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells, rubber.