doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Who Knows the Standard Bore-Size of a "TWO"Bore??

salopian
My Red;
By the time I got down a few posts & everyone was talking bore size I forgot the original question. He was asking for load data, not bore size.
W W Greener in his 1910 book did state the Eley 2-Bore paper cartridge was for use in bores of "Practically 4-Bore" thin brass case dimensions & thus recommended the same loads. For the 4-Bore he recommended either 11 drams with 3½oz shot or 12 drams & 3oz shot. If he's seeking smokeless, he's on his own.

PS; Not so crazy after all, here's the topic title
""Who Knows the Standard Bore-Size of a "TWO"Bore??""
My answer was relevant after all, I still recommend he measure it, what size his gun is is the important point. I did fail to note who posted, but assumed by asking it was another. Wouldn't have figured DT had a need to ask.

Gentlemen, The Owner of Said Piece of Weaponry, has forwarded several Photos.Very Impressive! I will have to scan and have them posted later.I dont have any of the "Specs",Weight, Bbl. Length,etc.a friend and his son, who discovered the'Gun' will post makers name and other pertinent Info. I have seen some Large Holes in the back of some 'Shoulder-Held' Shotguns......This is 'To say the least', Impressive'

Salopian,I've not been called'Sir' before, a'Cur' yes.So,are you telling us you you have more Info' on this 2 bore??(I see we are using the"word Bore" ....What is the 'Gauge'!!!......UPDate.. Just had pho call... Maker of gun,G.Bailey, Portland, Maine.The Action is of Bronze or Brass. Has 1859 stamped on it.There are no Lanyard Loops in the Stock. Opening-Lever is on the Rt.side of Action, Cocking-Lever on the Left Side.Splinter Forend has the 'Traditional Cross-Bolt Fastener',Straight-Hand Stock, Steel Butt-Plate. Single-Trigger....(Just Checking!!!).If some Kind-Harted Reader would Post the Photos, I would email them the 'Pics'...cc/DT.

For what it's worth, to find a caliber C for a given gauge G

C = 1.669/ G^(1/3)

For a 12 gauge, C = 1.669/12^(1/3) = 1.669/2.289 = .729

Very good post Gr8day...and a first one at that. I imagine that info has been posted before, but that caught my eye for some reason and I saved it.

Welcome!
Mark

David,

The Proof House documents show load data for proof and service if interested.

Send me a fax # and I will forward.

Recoil Rob

To add just a little to Gr8day's formula, I have posted this on several occasions incidently, if you want all sizes from 1 ga down to 172.28ga (.300cal) to round to within ±.001" of the dia' s given in British Rules of Proof it is necessary to go to 6 decimal places for the 1ga. There is a very small range which will give correct figures but about the middle of the road is 1.669285.
Also an interesting aside is if the wt of lead as given in various publications (.4096lb/CuIn) for a long number of years is calculated there will be found a slight (very slight) error all the way down the Proof House chart. A few years back we discussed here the possible cause of this. The most plausible to me was the possibility that the ball used for the calculations had been rolled to insure roundness & in the process was in fact slightly compressed. I cannot now recall whose idea this was to give credit. The error only amounts to a very few thousandths of an inch & would show the sizes to be slightly larger than the charts. Plugging in the above listed wt of lead gives the 1ga a dia of 1.6706".

RR."WE" all the 3 of us that are not in the 'Ownership Ring" of the G L Bailey 2bore,are extremely Appreciative for all the replys about the loading Data. I packed most of my Proof,(Rules Of") and all other Data; 1 yr ago readying for a move to a new location.Gave away my Lapping Bench, most of the Pre-cast Lead-laps'with rods 10bore thru 28b.If I can 'Get my Hands On the 2bprs I will make a Chamber Casting, Measure BORE @ 9",The Wall thickness from Breech to Muzzle, Will poss be of Interest to 'Some" I wonder how much 'Cerro=safe' it will take to go 4-5" in from the Breech-End?????"GUN-HEADS" ready the calculators..!!!Photos coming from gun-vault on Fox Hill. c/c

Hello Crossedchisles,
I now own the Gilbert Bailey, Portland Maine 4 gauge gun that was discussed as a 2 gauge June 16, 2007 & would like to find out more its history. It was sold to me 12/10/2023 & previously sold in 2015.
Thank you for your help.
Jerry

Can't help you Jerry but congrats on the acquisition. I was lucky enough to shoulder a Greener 4 bore double last year. What a behemoth!

Thanks for the reply. Apparently Crossedchisles was associated with The Gun Vault At Fox Hill (ME). Their website & phone no longer in service. I hope someone might be able to let them know or contact me. It's a good gun. I collect Maine made guns, fishing tackle anything related to Maine early gunsmiths & gunpowder companies.