doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 14 bore question

I’m not familiar with the 14 bore. Where does it fit in the scheme of things gauge wise?

Thanks

The 14 bore fits in between the much more common 12 and 16 gauge. Here's a link to a chart with nominal bore diameters, and an explanation of how they are derived:

http://www.hallowellco.com/bore_size_chart.htm

Smaller than 13 bore but larger than 15.

In practical terms between 12 bore and 16 bore.

You must understand that the bore size (internal bore diameter usually at 9 inches from breech) is not necessarily the size of the cartridge the gun is chambered for.

A gun chambered for 12 bore cartridges, probably indicated on a British gun by 12 in a diamond, if tight bored could well be marked as having a 13/1, 13, 14/1 or 14 bore.

If it is chambered for 14 bore cartridges 12’s won’t fit in and 16’s will be sloppy in the chamber.

Also note that 14 bore is .693. The French Charleville muskets and the US manufactured 1795 Springfield Muskets were .690 bore. The 1795's were just copies of the Charleville,,,LK

Is this a cartridge gun, a muzzle loader or a 12 bore with tight bores? It could be any of them. There were 14 gauge shot guns made but in very small numbers. Parker, Lefever and several European makers made a very few. I recall the King of Spain used a 14. He was notorious cheap and knew if he had only 14 gauge ammo no one could bum a few shells off him. I recall someone who had one saying he took 16 gauge ammo and taper it up to fit snuggly into his 14 chamber. Hulls would split sometimes but they did function. Not a practice I’d try but other are more adventurous than I am. .

The Winchester Model 59 Autoloader was originally designed as a 14 gauge. I've seen a couple of those. All metal shells (aluminum?) The idea didn't sell, so they brought it out as a 12ga. The late outdoor writer Frank Woolner touted the 59 (in 12ga) as a great grouse and woodcock gun. It was pretty light. Had a pretty thin steel barrel, wrapped in fiberglass.

Converted from a muzzleloader, unknown British maker 14 bore centerfire rifle on a Jones Under-lever action.



Belted ball 14 bore percussion rifle by William Moore, built between late 1830's to mid 1840's

Looking at a 14 bore breech loading cartridge gun. Are shells available?

Thanks

Not that I know of, occasionally I see hulls for sale in the UK for reloading.

Listed as in stock but I did not confirm
https://www.rccbrass.com/product/14-gauge-2/