What's this "Rule of 96" thing?

Mom T · September 9, 2000, 11:17 PM

Basically I'm new to shotgunning. I have an old 12 guage K-mart O/U made by Boito that a friend gave me eight years ago. I use it to shoot informal trap on occasion. That is the extent of my shotgun knowledge.

I've seen mention of the "rule of 96" a few times and was just wondering what it's all about.

Thanks in advance for the info and good shooting.

Dave McC · September 10, 2000, 07:14 AM

Basically, it means a sporting shotgun used for wingshooting should weigh 96 times the payload. So, if you're shooting a 1 oz load, the shotgun should weigh 6 lbs. Much lighter, heavy recoil,much heavier, you're carrying too much weight. Note, this was invented by the Brits, who are fanatical about properly fitting stocks and well balanced shotguns.

Big Bunny · September 12, 2000, 09:40 PM

Yes - that last comment is very relevant indeed, heavier guns especially if to be used with reloads are far better for safety/legal reasons.

Shotgun reloading is not very popular in UK and it is anyway actively discouraged by government, so lighter guns are OK. [I saw some 1" of barrel(muzzle end) off a Brit gun being cut off with a knife after damage in the field!... It was THAT thin!!!]

Remember soft buttpads and muzzle compensators + weight adjustments/balance weights on individual guns can make the 96 rule unreliable when buying a gun IMHO.

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If we shooting sportspersons don't hang together... we will all hang separately !
Never knock another's different shooting interest or discipline...REMEMBER we are all but leaves on the same tree of freedom.

September 9, 2000, 11:17 PM	#1
Mom T Member Join Date: August 12, 2000 Location: Norfolk, VA, USA Posts: 93	Basically I'm new to shotgunning. I have an old 12 guage K-mart O/U made by Boito that a friend gave me eight years ago. I use it to shoot informal trap on occasion. That is the extent of my shotgun knowledge. I've seen mention of the "rule of 96" a few times and was just wondering what it's all about. Thanks in advance for the info and good shooting.

September 10, 2000, 07:14 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Basically, it means a sporting shotgun used for wingshooting should weigh 96 times the payload. So, if you're shooting a 1 oz load, the shotgun should weigh 6 lbs. Much lighter, heavy recoil,much heavier, you're carrying too much weight. Note, this was invented by the Brits, who are fanatical about properly fitting stocks and well balanced shotguns.

September 12, 2000, 09:40 PM	#3
Big Bunny Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: New South Wales - Australia Posts: 605	Yes - that last comment is very relevant indeed, heavier guns especially if to be used with reloads are far better for safety/legal reasons. Shotgun reloading is not very popular in UK and it is anyway actively discouraged by government, so lighter guns are OK. [I saw some 1" of barrel(muzzle end) off a Brit gun being cut off with a knife after damage in the field!... It was THAT thin!!!] Remember soft buttpads and muzzle compensators + weight adjustments/balance weights on individual guns can make the 96 rule unreliable when buying a gun IMHO. ------------------ If we shooting sportspersons don't hang together... we will all hang separately ! Never knock another's different shooting interest or discipline...REMEMBER we are all but leaves on the same tree of freedom.