16Ga.

[Robby]

I have 16Ga. fowler barrels from two different makers with two different bore measurements. One is .655 at the muzzle, the other is .665 at the muzzle, measurements are taken with an old B&S tri-cal, but it is pretty accurate. It doesn't really matter, as long as they get the shot or ball down range accurately, though now I will have to buy a new ball mold, some wads and cards of a different diameter, but I am curious as to what would be considered "the" correct bore diameter for a M/L, 16Ga..
Robby

[David Rase]

Colerain advertises their 16 gauge as .660" dia.  Most modern 16 gauge bores are .662" - .663".  I started rust blueing my 16 gauge Colerain barrel last night prepping it for French graying so I have a plug in the bore.  When I pull the plug I will go mic the bore.  There is a lot of recent discussion on the16 guage in the shooting section.  I think I reported my bore diameter there.
DMR

[jerrywh]

like Dave says .662 cylinder bore.

[Michigan Flinter]

.620 is 20 gag. & .662 is 16 gag. a differance of ..042 of an inch  .I thought there was a differance of .0625 between these bores?

[keweenaw]

Gauges or bores in British parlance are determined by how many round balls of a given diameter can be made from one pound of pure lead.  So 12 bore is .729. etc.  There are no fixed amount differences between them.  In lots of old literature on rifles they were designated by bores, not calibers.

Tom

[bs2]

[northmn]

Gauge bore diameters tend to vary even in modern.  European 12 gauges were noted for being "tight" bored for instance.   You also tend to get machining variances such that you 655 is ony .007 off and the 665 only .003.  In a smoothbore that is not all that critical. 

DP

[ChipK]

My 16 gage mikes out at .651.  I use a .626 mold for it.

[Dphariss]

Gauges or bores in British parlance are determined by how many round balls of a given diameter can be made from one pound of pure lead.  So 12 bore is .729. etc.  There are no fixed amount differences between them.  In lots of old literature on rifles they were designated by bores, not calibers.

Tom

Rifles were generally listed in balls to the pound until bullets became popular and for a time after that.
The early Sharps breechloaders were sized by gauge not caliber.

Dan

[Collector]

My 16 ga. is a an early Getz and is .652.   I have .625 and a .630 RB moulds for it.  The only gauge that appears to have reached a stage of 'standardization' (whatever that means) is the 20 ga. which perhaps contributes to its popularity and larger following.  16 ga.'s rock!

[Robby]

Thank you all for the information. Both are from two different well known quality barrel makers, The smaller has taken both deer and turkey, the larger, I hope to do the same with, when its finished. I don't identify the makers because I don't want to give anyone the idea that I'm not happy with either one. I'm very pleased with the quality and workmanship on both. Thanks again!
  Robby