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toybox99615 · April 6, 2008, 01:07 PM

Weapons manufacturer seem to have developed a thier own system of measurements: gauge and caliber. The shotgun gauge system is based on the number of lead balls of a particular gauge that weigh one pound. The 410 seems to have snuck into the mix as it does not follow the gauge system. The 410 is actually the caliber of the barrel.

Caliber is actually the diameter of the barrel (measured at the bottom of the lands in the rifle bore) in units of 1/100 of an inch. How the inch became divided into 100 parts is another complex issues.

Those who are interested in issues related to measurement system should search for the subject Meteorology (scientific study of measurement.) Years ago I was required to take a course on basic metrology. It was probably one of the best course I ever completed.

April 6, 2008, 01:07 PM	#13
toybox99615 Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2007 Location: Kodiak Alaska Posts: 767	ask a metrologist (a person who studies Metrology) Weapons manufacturer seem to have developed a thier own system of measurements: gauge and caliber. The shotgun gauge system is based on the number of lead balls of a particular gauge that weigh one pound. The 410 seems to have snuck into the mix as it does not follow the gauge system. The 410 is actually the caliber of the barrel. Caliber is actually the diameter of the barrel (measured at the bottom of the lands in the rifle bore) in units of 1/100 of an inch. How the inch became divided into 100 parts is another complex issues. Those who are interested in issues related to measurement system should search for the subject Meteorology (scientific study of measurement.) Years ago I was required to take a course on basic metrology. It was probably one of the best course I ever completed.