Bore vs. Gauge — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 21, 2024
Bore refers to the diameter of a firearm's barrel, while gauge measures the size of a shotgun based on the number of lead balls fitting the barrel that equals a pound.
Difference Between Bore and Gauge
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bore is a term primarily used to describe the diameter of a gun barrel, particularly in rifles and handguns. It is typically measured in millimeters or inches, providing a straightforward indication of the barrel's internal dimensions. On the other hand, gauge is a measurement used exclusively for shotguns, indicating the size based on an old British system where the number of lead balls, each perfectly fitting the barrel, that add up to one pound defines the gauge number.
In terms of measuring firearm barrels, bore size directly affects the projectile's size that can be fired, with larger bores allowing for larger diameter bullets. Whereas gauge in shotguns inversely relates to the barrel's diameter; a smaller gauge number means a larger barrel diameter, such as the common 12 gauge being larger than a 20 gauge.
When discussing ammunition compatibility, the bore of a rifle or handgun precisely matches specific ammunition calibers to ensure safety and performance. However, gauge measurements in shotguns do not correspond directly to a specific diameter but rather to a range, leading to less precision in matching ammunition.
In historical context, bore measurement has been a standard in firearms technology for centuries, evolving with advances in gunmaking. Conversely, the gauge system remains deeply rooted in traditional methods and terminology dating back to when firearms were first developed, reflecting its age-old origins in British firearm manufacturing.
For those involved in shooting sports, understanding bore is crucial for selecting appropriate firearms and ammunition, particularly for precision shooting and hunting. Gauge, however, is most significant for shotgun users, impacting choices in sports shooting and bird hunting, where the spread of the shot plays a critical role.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Diameter of a firearm's barrel.
Measurement of shotgun size based on lead balls fitting the barrel.
Measurement Units
Millimeters or inches.
Number representing the inverse diameter size.
Usage
Used in rifles and handguns.
Exclusively used in shotguns.
Measurement Impact
Directly correlates to projectile size.
Inversely related to the barrel diameter.
Historical Context
Evolved with firearm technology.
Rooted in traditional British gunmaking.
Compare with Definitions
Bore
Diameter of a firearm's barrel.
The rifle's bore was precisely machined to 5.56 mm.
Gauge
A measurement system for shotguns.
He preferred a 12 gauge shotgun for its versatility.
Bore
Internal measurement of a gun's barrel.
He checked the bore for obstructions before firing.
Gauge
Used to describe shotgun sizes.
Lower gauge shotguns are popular for bird hunting.
Bore
Critical in determining bullet trajectory.
A clean, well-maintained bore is essential for accuracy.
Gauge
Determines the number of lead balls fitting the barrel.
A 20 gauge shotgun uses a smaller barrel than a 12 gauge.
Bore
Used to describe the size of a gun barrel.
A larger bore allows for more firepower.
Gauge
Important in choosing shotgun ammunition.
Selecting the right gauge is vital for effective shooting.
Bore
Relates directly to the caliber of the firearm.
The bore size determines the type of ammunition used.
Gauge
Indirectly indicates the barrel diameter.
The gauge number inversely relates to the diameter size.
Bore
Make (a hole) in something with a tool or by digging
The drill can bore through rock
Bore a hole in the wall to pass the cable through
His eyes bored into hers
Gauge
An instrument that measures and gives a visual display of the amount, level, or contents of something
A fuel gauge
Bore
(of an athlete or racehorse) push another competitor out of the way.
Gauge
The thickness, size, or capacity of something, especially as a standard measure.
Bore
Cause (someone) to feel weary and uninterested by dull talk or behaviour
Timid women quickly bore her silly
She is too polite to bore us with anecdotes
Gauge
The position of a sailing ship to windward (the weather gage) or leeward (the lee gage) of another
The French fleet was heavily outnumbered but had the weather gage
Bore
The hollow part inside a gun barrel or other tube.
Gauge
Estimate or determine the amount, level, or volume of
Astronomers can gauge the star's intrinsic brightness
Bore
Short for borehole
Gauge
Measure the dimensions of (an object) with a gauge
When dry the assemblies can be gauged exactly
Bore
A person whose talk or behaviour is dull and uninteresting
He can be a crashing bore
Gauge
The distance between the two rails of a railroad.
Bore
A steep-fronted wave caused by the meeting of two tides or by the constriction of a tide rushing up a narrow estuary.
Gauge
The distance between two wheels on an axle.
Bore
To make a hole in or through, with or as if with a drill.
Gauge
The interior diameter of a shotgun barrel as determined by the number of lead balls of a size exactly fitting the barrel that are required to make one pound. Often used in combination
A 12-gauge shotgun.
Bore
To form (a tunnel, for example) by drilling, digging, or burrowing.
Gauge
The thickness or diameter of sheet metal, wire, or a similar manufactured material or piece.
Bore
To proceed or advance steadily or laboriously
A destroyer boring through heavy seas.
Gauge
The fineness of knitted cloth as measured by the number of stitches per a given unit of length.
Bore
To make weary by being dull, repetitive, or tedious
The movie bored us.
Gauge
A standard or scale of measurement
The capacity of barrels was measured according to the gauge in use at the time.
Bore
Past tense of bear1.
Gauge
An instrument for measuring the dimensions, capacity, or amount of something
A pressure gauge.
A fuel gauge.
Bore
A hole or passage made by or as if by use of a drill.
Gauge
A means of estimating or evaluating; a test
A gauge of character.
Bore
A hollow, usually cylindrical chamber or barrel, as of a firearm.
Gauge
(Nautical) The position of a vessel in relation to another vessel and the wind.
Bore
The interior diameter of a hole, tube, or cylinder.
Gauge
To measure the dimensions, capacity, proportions, or amount of (something), especially by means of a gauge
Gauged the thickness of the metal part.
Bore
The caliber of a firearm.
Gauge
To evaluate or estimate
Gauge a person's interest.
Bore
A drilling tool.
Gauge
To adapt or make conform to a specified standard
Pressure valves that are gauged to industry requirements.
Bore
One that is wearingly dull, repetitive, or tedious.
Gauge
To chip or rub (bricks or stones) to size.
Bore
See tidal bore.
Gauge
To stretch (a pierced earlobe or other body part) by inserting progressively larger objects over a long period of time.
Bore
(transitive) To inspire boredom in somebody.
Reading books really bores me, films are much more exciting.
Bore someone to death
Gauge
Of or relating to a gauge.
Bore
(transitive) To make a hole through something.
Gauge
(Physics) Invariant under a local transformation.
Bore
(intransitive) To make a hole with, or as if with, a boring instrument; to cut a circular hole by the rotary motion of a tool.
To bore for water or oil
An insect bores into a tree.
Gauge
A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard
Bore
(transitive) To form or enlarge (something) by means of a boring instrument or apparatus.
To bore a steam cylinder or a gun barrel; to bore a hole
Gauge
An act of measuring.
Bore
(transitive) To make (a passage) by laborious effort, as in boring; to force a narrow and difficult passage through.
To bore one's way through a crowd
Gauge
An estimate.
Bore
(intransitive) To be pierced or penetrated by an instrument that cuts as it turns.
This timber does not bore well.
Gauge
Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the level, state, dimensions or forms of things
Bore
(intransitive) To push forward in a certain direction with laborious effort.
Gauge
A thickness of sheet metal or wire designated by any of several numbering schemes.
Bore
(obsolete) To fool; to trick.
Gauge
(rail) track gauge
Bore
A hole drilled or milled through something, or (by extension) its diameter.
The bore of a cannon
Gauge
(rail) loading gauge
Bore
The tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired, or (by extension) its diameter.
Gauge
A semi-norm; a function that assigns a non-negative size to all vectors in a vector space.
Bore
A tool, such as an auger, for making a hole by boring.
Gauge
(knitting) The number of stitches per inch, centimetre, or other unit of distance.
Bore
A capped well drilled to tap artesian water.
Gauge
(nautical) Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind.
A vessel has the weather gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and the lee gauge when on the lee side of it.
Bore
The place where such a well exists.
Gauge
(nautical) The depth to which a vessel sinks in the water.
Bore
One who inspires boredom or lack of interest; an uninteresting person.
My neighbour is such a bore when he talks about his coin collection.
Gauge
(plastering) The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to make it set more quickly.
Bore
Something dull or uninteresting.
What a bore that movie was! There was no action, and the dialogue was totally uncreative.
Gauge
That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.
Bore
Calibre; importance.
Gauge
(firearms) A unit of measurement which describes how many spheres of bore diameter of a shotgun can be had from one pound of lead; 12 gauge is roughly equivalent to .75 caliber.
Bore
A sudden and rapid flow of tide occurring in certain rivers and estuaries which rolls up as a wave.
Gauge
A shotgun (synecdoche for 12 gauge shotgun, the most common chambering for combat and hunting shotguns).
Bore
To perforate or penetrate, as a solid body, by turning an auger, gimlet, drill, or other instrument; to make a round hole in or through; to pierce; as, to bore a plank.
I'll believe as soon this whole earth may be bored.
Gauge
A tunnel-like ear piercing consisting of a hollow ring embedded in the lobe.
Bore
To form or enlarge by means of a boring instrument or apparatus; as, to bore a steam cylinder or a gun barrel; to bore a hole.
Short but very powerful jaws, by means whereof the insect can bore, as with a centerbit, a cylindrical passage through the most solid wood.
Gauge
Cannabis.
Bore
To make (a passage) by laborious effort, as in boring; as, to bore one's way through a crowd; to force a narrow and difficult passage through.
Gauge
(transitive) To measure or determine with a gauge; to measure the capacity of.
Bore
To weary by tedious iteration or by dullness; to tire; to trouble; to vex; to annoy; to pester.
He bores me with some trick.
Used to come and bore me at rare intervals.
Gauge
(transitive) To estimate.
Bore
To befool; to trick.
I am abused, betrayed; I am laughed at, scorned,Baffled and bored, it seems.
Gauge
(transitive) To appraise the character or ability of; to judge of.
Bore
To make a hole or perforation with, or as with, a boring instrument; to cut a circular hole by the rotary motion of a tool; as, to bore for water or oil (i. e., to sink a well by boring for water or oil); to bore with a gimlet; to bore into a tree (as insects).
Gauge
To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it.
Bore
To be pierced or penetrated by an instrument that cuts as it turns; as, this timber does not bore well, or is hard to bore.
Gauge
(transitive) To mix (a quantity of ordinary plaster) with a quantity of plaster of Paris.
Bore
To push forward in a certain direction with laborious effort.
They take their flight . . . boring to the west.
Gauge
(transitive) To chip, hew or polish (stones, bricks, etc) to a standard size and/or shape.
Bore
To shoot out the nose or toss it in the air; - said of a horse.
Gauge
To measure or determine with a gauge.
Bore
A hole made by boring; a perforation.
Gauge
To measure or to ascertain the contents or the capacity of, as of a pipe, barrel, or keg.
Bore
The internal cylindrical cavity of a gun, cannon, pistol, or other firearm, or of a pipe or tube.
The bores of wind instruments.
Love's counselor should fill the bores of hearing.
Gauge
To measure the dimensions of, or to test the accuracy of the form of, as of a part of a gunlock.
The vanes nicely gauged on each side.
Bore
The size of a hole; the interior diameter of a tube or gun barrel; the caliber.
Gauge
To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it, as cloth or a garment.
Bore
A tool for making a hole by boring, as an auger.
Gauge
To measure the capacity, character, or ability of; to estimate; to judge of.
You shall not gauge meBy what we do to-night.
Bore
Caliber; importance.
Yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter.
Gauge
A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard.
This plate must be a gauge to file your worm and groove to equal breadth by.
There is not in our hands any fixed gauge of minds.
Bore
A person or thing that wearies by prolixity or dullness; a tiresome person or affair; any person or thing which causes ennui.
It is as great a bore as to hear a poet read his own verses.
Gauge
Measure; dimensions; estimate.
The gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt.
Bore
A tidal flood which regularly or occasionally rushes into certain rivers of peculiar configuration or location, in one or more waves which present a very abrupt front of considerable height, dangerous to shipping, as at the mouth of the Amazon, in South America, the Hoogly and Indus, in India, and the Tsien-tang, in China.
Gauge
Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the dimensions or forms of things; a templet or template; as, a button maker's gauge.
Bore
A person who evokes boredom
Gauge
Any instrument or apparatus for measuring the state of a phenomenon, or for ascertaining its numerical elements at any moment; - usually applied to some particular instrument; as, a rain gauge; a steam gauge.
Bore
A high wave (often dangerous) caused by tidal flow (as by colliding tidal currents or in a narrow estuary)
Gauge
Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind; as, a vessel has the weather gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and the lee gauge when on the lee side of it.
Bore
Diameter of a tube or gun barrel
Gauge
The distance between the rails of a railway.
Bore
A hole or passage made by a drill; usually made for exploratory purposes
Gauge
The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to accelerate its setting.
Bore
Cause to be bored
Gauge
That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.
Bore
Make a hole with a pointed power or hand tool;
Don't drill here, there's a gas pipe
Drill a hole into the wall
Drill for oil
Gauge
A measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.
Gauge
Accepted or approved instance or example of a quantity or quality against which others are judged or measured or compared
Gauge
The distance between the rails of a railway or between the wheels of a train
Gauge
The thickness of wire
Gauge
Diameter of a tube or gun barrel
Gauge
Judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time);
I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
Gauge
Rub to a uniform size;
Gauge bricks
Gauge
Determine the capacity, volume, or contents of by measurement and calculation;
Gauge the wine barrels
Gauge
Measure precisely and against a standard;
The wire is gauged
Gauge
Adapt to a specified measurement;
Gauge the instruments
Gauge
Mix in specific proportions;
Gauge plaster
Common Curiosities
What does a 12 gauge shotgun mean?
A 12 gauge shotgun means the barrel diameter is such that 12 lead balls, each fitting the barrel, equal one pound.
Why is bore size important in firearms?
Bore size determines the caliber of ammunition a firearm can safely fire, which affects accuracy and performance.
Can bore and gauge be used interchangeably?
No, bore and gauge are distinct terms; bore applies to rifles and handguns, while gauge is specific to shotguns.
Are bore and gauge measurements relevant to all guns?
Bore measurements apply to rifles and handguns, while gauge measurements are specific to shotguns.
How does gauge affect shotgun performance?
The gauge of a shotgun affects the spread of the shot, which is crucial for hunting and sport shooting.
How does gauge measurement work?
Gauge is determined by the number of lead balls, fitting the barrel's diameter, that collectively weigh one pound.
What is the main difference between bore and gauge?
Bore refers to the internal diameter of most firearm barrels, while gauge is a specific measurement system used only for shotguns.
What gauge is larger, 12 or 20?
A 12 gauge is larger than a 20 gauge, as the gauge number inversely relates to the barrel size.
What gauge shotgun is most common?
The 12 gauge shotgun is the most common due to its versatility and suitable size for various shooting activities.
How are bore sizes measured?
Bore sizes are typically measured in millimeters or inches, reflecting the internal diameter of the barrel.
What bore size would be equivalent to a 12 gauge shotgun?
There is no direct bore size equivalent for a 12 gauge shotgun, as bore sizes are expressed differently.
How did the gauge system originate?
The gauge system originated from an old British method of sizing barrels based on the weight of lead balls that fit the barrel.
Why is understanding bore and gauge important for gun owners?
Understanding these measurements helps gun owners choose the right firearm and ammunition for their needs.
Does bore size affect a gun's accuracy?
Yes, the precision of the bore size directly influences the accuracy and stability of the bullet's trajectory.
Is there a conversion between bore and gauge?
There is no direct conversion between bore and gauge as they are used for different types of firearms.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
