What is the gauge of a common shotgun?

The gauge of a shotgun is a measurement that refers to the diameter of the shotgun barrel. Specifically, the 12-gauge shotgun is the most common type of shotgun used for various purposes, including hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. The 12-gauge size is favored due to its balance of power and recoil, making it suitable for a wide range of shooting applications.

In the context of shotguns, the gauge number is derived from the number of lead balls of that diameter that would weigh one pound. Therefore, a 12-gauge shotgun means that 12 lead balls of that diameter would weigh one pound. This provides the 12-gauge shotgun with a larger bore size compared to other gauges like 20-gauge and 16-gauge, leading to a wider variety and larger payload of shot that can be used.

The other gauges mentioned, such as 20, 10, and 16, are less common and serve more specialized purposes. The 20-gauge is lighter and has less recoil, making it a popular choice for youth and smaller shooters, while the 10-gauge is generally used for large game hunting. The 16-gauge sits somewhere between 12 and 20 gauges but has seen a decline