Calculating Gauge
An n-gauge diameter means that a ball of lead (density 11.352 g/cm3 or 6.562 oz/in3) with that diameter has a mass equal to 1/n part of the mass of the international avoirdupois pound (453.59237 grams). Therefore an n-gauge shotgun or n-bore rifle has a bore diameter (in centimeters) of approximately
Another source for a gauge size formula can be found in Shotgun shell.
It should be noted that the results of the calculations given above need not be carried out to further than 1 decimal place, since, as is common knowledge, shotgun and rifle gauges are invariably stated in integers. Furthermore, the density of the lead that was once used as the standard varied, since bullets and slugs are not made of chemically pure lead, but are instead made of lead alloyed with a variety of materials.
Read more about this topic: Gauge (bore Diameter)
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