This article is Part 2 in a series of guest posts on the Survival Shotgun by mr. I have no idea. A classic for of a single barrel shotgun is the Winchester Model 1897- A 12-gauge barrel (diameter 0.73″) holds a round lead ball weighing 1/12 of a pound. Continuing the Survival Shotgun series, here is a basic rundown of the types and sizes of shotguns you should consider for your survival gear.. A 20-gauge barrel (diameter 0.615″) holds a round ball weighing 1/20 of a pound, etc. If you are new to shotguns understanding what type of gun to buy and which gauge to choose for your survival needs can be difficult. Common shotgun gauges are 10-gauge, 12-gauge, 16-gauge, 20-gauge, and 28-gauge. These brass shotgun hulls or cases closely resembled rifle cartridges, in terms of both the head and primer portions of the shotgun shell, as well as in their dimensions. In addition to our large firearms inventory, we now offer ammo for sale. Why was this measurement used? Early shotgun shells used brass cases, not unlike rifle and pistol cartridge cases of the same era. Buy shotgun ammunition online at Guns.com. Thus 10 balls of 10 gauge diameter are required to make one pound of such balls, or 20 balls of 20 gauge diameter are required to make one pound, and so forth. Shotgun gauges are determined by the number of lead balls of a given diameter required to make one pound of that size ball. The big-game shotgun, chambered in 12-gauge or 10-gauge is meant to dispatch larger animals at short to medium ranges. From options ranging from hundreds of tiny beads to a single heavy slug, there’s plenty that you can do with your 12-gauge shotgun. These types of shotguns are generally used for hunting, competitive target shooting, and teaching purposes. The 12-gauge shotgun is one of the most versatile firearms you can own. Shotgun gauges are based on the diameter of a lead ball a specific fraction of one pound in weight. The 12-gauge big-game shotgun has a maximum effective range of about 35 yards using shells that are loaded with multiple projectiles. With so many options for shot loads, how do you know which 12-gauge ammo shot patterns work best for you? The gun has a … History. Shotguns are classified by gauge, which is a measure related to the diameter of the smooth shotgun bore and the size of the shotshell designed for that bore. Big game such as deer and turkey require a gun like this, with a long barrel (28 inches) and stopping power. By Chuck Hawks. 12-Gauge Shotgun Load Types. Only capable of firing one cartridge at a time, the single barrel shotgun requires a manual reload for another discharge to take place.