The Most Popular Gauge of Shotgun, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the gauge you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:39
Selecting the right gauge of shotgun for various activities can be a challenge, from hunting to sport shooting. Different gauges offer distinct advantages, tailored towards specific needs and preferences. Establishing which gauges resonate most with enthusiasts aids in streamlining choices for new shooters and enriching the knowledge of seasoned aficionados.
By participating in this live ranking, users provide valuable insights into popular preferences and trends within the community. This real-time voting mechanism reflects changing tastes and offers a dynamic reflection of collective opinion. Your vote contributes to an ongoing conversation and ensures that the rankings are continually updated with fresh perspectives.
What Is the Most Popular Gauge of Shotgun?
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181votesThe 12 gauge is the most popular shotgun gauge in the United States. It is a versatile gauge that can be used for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. It has a wide range of ammunition options, and is capable of shooting anything from birdshot to slugs.The 12 gauge is a widely used gauge for shotguns, known for its versatility and power. It is the most popular and commonly available shotgun gauge worldwide.
- Gauge Size: 12
- Barrel Length: Ranges from 18 to 36 inches
- Capacity: Typically holds 4-8 rounds depending on the model
- Projectile Size: Ranges from 0.729 to 0.736 inches in diameter
- Shell Length: 2¾ and 3 inches, with 3½ inches for some magnum loads
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241votes
AliveFreeHappy · CC BY-SA 3.020 Gauge
Joseph WhitworthThe 20 gauge is another popular shotgun gauge. It is a lighter and smaller gauge than the 12 gauge, making it easier to handle for some shooters. It is a popular choice for youth and women shooters, as well as for hunting small game.The 20 Gauge shotgun is a widely popular gauge known for its versatility and manageable recoil. It balances power and compactness, making it suitable for various shooting applications including hunting and sport shooting. With a bore diameter of approximately 15.6 mm, it falls between the larger 12 Gauge and smaller 28 Gauge.- Bore Diameter: 15.6 mm
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 inches or 3 inches
- Projectile Weight: ranging from 7/8 oz to 1 1/4 oz
- Muzzle Velocity: ranging from 1,000 to 1,300 feet per second
- Chamber Pressure: max of 12,000 psi
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325votesThe 410 gauge is the smallest shotgun gauge and is often used for hunting small game and for sport shooting. It is also popular for youth and women shooters due to its low recoil.The .410 Gauge is a popular gauge of shotgun commonly used for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. It is known for its versatility, ease of handling, and relatively low recoil. The .410 Gauge is named after its bore diameter of .410 inches, which is equivalent to 10.4mm.
- Firearm Type: Shotgun
- Bore Diameter: .410 inches/10.4mm
- Shell Length: 2.5 inches or 3 inches
- Shot Weight: Usually ranges from ½ oz to 11/16 oz
- Shot Types: Available in birdshot, buckshot, and slugs
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418votes
Philippe Kurlapski · CC BY 1.0The 16 gauge was once a popular shotgun gauge, but it has since declined in popularity. It is still used for hunting and sport shooting, but ammunition is not as widely available as other gauges.The 16 Gauge is a type of shotgun gauge, which refers to the diameter of the barrel. It is a popular choice among shotgun enthusiasts for its versatility and balanced performance. With a bore diameter of .662 inches (16.8 mm), it offers a middle ground between the smaller 20 gauge and larger 12 gauge shotguns.- Bore diameter: .662 inches (16.8 mm)
- Pellet weight: 1 ounce - 1 1/8 ounces
- Shell length: 2 3/4 inches
- Muzzle velocity: 1,200 - 1,300 feet per second
- Maximum range: 40 - 50 yards
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513votesThe 28 gauge is a smaller gauge that is often used for hunting upland game birds. It is a popular choice for experienced shooters who want a challenge.The 28 gauge shotgun is a popular gauge used for small game hunting and sport shooting. It is known for its lightweight and low recoil, making it a favorite among many shooters. The gauge refers to the diameter of the barrel, with the 28 gauge having a bore diameter of approximately 0.55 inches.
- Bore Diameter: Approximately 0.55 inches
- Shot Weight: Up to 3/4 of an ounce
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 inches
- Effective Range: Up to 40 yards
- Pellet Count: Around 250-300 pellets per ounce of shot
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612votesThe 10 gauge is a large shotgun gauge that is popular for hunting waterfowl and turkey. It is a powerful gauge that can handle heavy loads, but it is not as popular as it once was due to its weight and recoil.The 10 Gauge shotgun is a popular gauge known for its power and versatility. It is commonly used for hunting large game and waterfowl, as well as for self-defense purposes. This gauge is characterized by its wide bore diameter, which allows for larger shot sizes and increased stopping power.
- Gauge: 10
- Bore diameter (inches): 0.775
- Maximum chamber length (inches): 3.5
- Typical ammunition capacity: 2-5 rounds
- Effective range: Up to 50 yards
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76votesThe 8 gauge is an extremely large shotgun gauge that is not commonly used today. It was once popular for hunting large game, but it is now mainly used for historical reenactments and collecting.The 8 Gauge shotgun is a large-bore shotgun known for its immense power and recoil. It is designed for specialized use in heavy-duty applications such as industrial or military purposes.
- Gauge: 8
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 inches
- Chamber Length: 3 1/2 inches
- Weight: Varies, typically ranging from 20 to 25 pounds
- Barrel Length: Varies, often between 28 to 36 inches
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88votesThe 24 gauge is a small shotgun gauge that is not widely used. It is mainly used for sport shooting and is not commonly used for hunting.The 24 gauge shotgun is a popular gauge used for a variety of shooting applications, including hunting and sport shooting. It falls between the smaller 28 gauge and the larger 20 gauge shotguns, offering a balance of power and recoil.
- Gauge: 24
- Shotshell length: 2 3/4 inches or 3 inches
- Typical shot sizes: 5 to 7.5
- Average weight: Range from 5.5 to 7.0 pounds
- Barrel length: Typically between 26 to 30 inches
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98votesThe 32 gauge is a small shotgun gauge that is not commonly used today. It was once popular for hunting small game, but it is now mainly used for historical reenactments and collecting.The 32 Gauge is a gauge of shotgun that is popular among enthusiasts for its versatility and balance of power and recoil. It is a less common gauge compared to others, but still offers impressive performance.
- Gauge: 32
- Shell Length: 2 1/2 inches
- Bullet Diameter: 0.505 inches
- Chamber Length: 2 3/4 inches
- Pressure: 12,000 PSI
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109votesThe 36 gauge is an extremely rare shotgun gauge that is not commonly used today. It was once popular for hunting small game, but it is now mainly used for historical reenactments and collecting.The 36 Gauge is a relatively uncommon shotgun gauge that was developed for hunting and shooting purposes. It falls between the more popular 28 gauge and 32 gauge shotguns in terms of size and power.
- Bore Diameter: 0.407 inches
- Shell Length: 2.5 inches
- Chamber Length: 2.5 inches
- Shot Weight: Ranges from 5/8 to 11/16 ounces
- Pellet Size: Ranges from #7.5 to #6
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Ranking factors for popular gauge
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RecoilThe recoil or "kick" of a shotgun is an important consideration, especially for new shooters or those with limited experience. A smaller gauge or lighter load will typically have less recoil, making it more comfortable and manageable to shoot.
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VersatilitySome shotguns can handle a wide variety of ammunition, making them more versatile for different situations. For example, a 12-gauge shotgun can handle a range of shot sizes from birdshot to buckshot and slug ammunition, making it suitable for both hunting and self-defense.
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Availability and affordability of ammunitionChoose a gauge for which ammunition is widely available and affordable. This will ensure that you can easily find and purchase the appropriate ammunition for your shotgun.
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Weight and sizeThe weight and size of the shotgun are essential factors when considering comfort, ease of use, and ability to carry it while hunting or shooting sports.
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ReliabilityLook for a shotgun that has a reputation for reliability and good build quality, ensuring that it will function consistently and last for a long time.
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Ease of maintenanceChoose a shotgun that is easy to clean and maintain. This will ensure that it maintains optimal performance and is ready for use when needed.
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Appropriate features and accessoriesAssess if the various features and options available on shotguns meet your needs, such as interchangeable chokes, adjustable stocks, and accessory rails.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular gauge of shotgun. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or gauge is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1923 views
- 220 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each gauge once every 24 hours. The rank of each gauge is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular gauge of shotgun
Shotguns are one of the most versatile firearms used for hunting, self-defense, and recreational shooting. They come in different sizes, shapes, and gauges, which determine the diameter of the shotgun barrel. The gauge of a shotgun refers to the number of lead balls of the same diameter as the shotgun barrel that can be produced from one pound of lead.
The most popular gauges of shotgun are 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and 410-gauge. The 12-gauge is the most common and versatile shotgun gauge, used for hunting everything from small game to waterfowl and turkey. The 20-gauge is a smaller and lighter alternative to the 12-gauge, commonly used for upland bird hunting and skeet shooting. The 410-gauge is the smallest shotgun gauge, mostly used for small game hunting and trap shooting.
When choosing a shotgun gauge, it's important to consider the intended use and personal preference. The larger gauges like the 12-gauge have more recoil and may not be suitable for beginners or those with smaller frames. The smaller gauges like the 20-gauge and 410-gauge are lighter and easier to handle, but may not be as effective for larger game or long-distance shooting.
Regardless of the gauge, shotguns are a popular choice for hunters and shooters alike, offering a unique experience and versatility in the field.
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