which gun is more powerful a 12 gauge or a 16 gauge?

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

12 guage or 16 guage does not matter ... that only indicates the inside diameter of the barrel. Typically, a 12 guage shotgun will be able to throw more pellets in a shell than a 16 guage shotgun.

However, how much power the shotgun has really depends upon the powder charge in the shell. On the ammunition boxes for shotguns, there is data referring to the "dram equaivalent" of the shell. The higher the dram equivalent, the "faster" the projectile will leave the barrel. Combine the "dram equivalent" for the speed of the projectile with the weight of the shot, and that will give you a good indicator for the power.

Bottom line, the heavier the charge (dram equivalent) and the weight of the pellets determines power! It is not the gun, but the shell that determines which is most powerful!!

Answer 2

All other things being equal, of course a 12 gauge can be more powerful than a 16 gauge. In a contest, more powder and more shot (or bigger slug) can be loaded into a 12 gauge shell than a 16 gauge shell. So, If you had a choice to be shot at with either a 16 or 12 gauge, generally you'd have better chances against a 16 gauge. It's basically that simple.

Answer 3

In general, a 12 is more powerful than a 16, but it depends upon the load. A heavy 16 load can beat a light 12 load. The gauge or bore number is an old system for designating caliber. It tells how many round balls of a given caliber can be made from a pound of lead. A 16 bore uses exactly one ounce balls. A 12 gauge uses 1.33 ounce balls. Some nominal 4 bores were made. A true 4 gauge would use 4 ounce balls. I saw some of these big shells made by Ely of Britain a few years ago. A .410 shotgun uses inches, not gauge. It's a 67.5 bore or gauge.

Answer 4

The 12 gauge. It has a wider bore, holds more powder and shot than the 16 and is available in 2-3/4" and 3" cartridges (3-1/2" also, but not usable in the standard 12 gauge).

When talking 'gauge,' the smaller the number, the bigger the round. The 16 gauge is bigger than the 20 gauge; the 12 gauge is bigger than the 16; and the 10 gauge is bigger than the 12.

Hope that helped.

H

Answer 5

12

Answer 6

The same type of load in a 12 gauge would be more powerful than a 16 gauge, simply because it's larger. That doesn't mean however, that a low brass, 2-3/4", 12 gauge load of #7-1/2 bird shot delivers more muzzle energy than a 16 gauge deer slug. Energy depends upon two factors; velocity, which is this case, depends largely upon the amount of gunpowder in the shell, and mass, which depends on the size and quantity of the shot

Answer 7

12

Answer 8

Some here have complicated this question beyond belief. Remember what the question is.
"which gun is more powerful a 12 gauge or a 16 gauge? "

The most powerful load you can put in a 12 ga. will ALWAYS be more powerful than the most powerful load you can put in a 16 ga.

Yes!! It's THAT simple!!!
Nuff said.

Answer 9

A 12 gauge is more powerful.

Answer 10

12 gauge