Shotgun · Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
4 Gauge
Enormous 4-bore gauge used in early African and Asian dangerous game hunting; typically loaded with a single ball or slug for elephant; made by specialist ammunition makers only..
- Caliber
- 1″ · 25.4 mm
- Introduced
- 1850
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting, Sport shooting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1850
- Type
- Shotgun
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Various
- Manufacturer
- Various
- Standard
- Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 690.9 gr H₂O
- Primer
- Shotgun
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
- Max range
- 135 yd
- Recoil
- 20–30 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 4 Gauge, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 25.40 | 1.000 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 27.18 | 1.070 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 27.94 | 1.100 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 31.24 | 1.230 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.52 | 0.060 | · |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 101.60 | 4.000 | · |
| Overall length | 119.38 | 4.700 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 4 Gauge is highlighted below.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
The 4 bore represents the pinnacle of Victorian-era dangerous game ammunition. A 4-bore ball weighs approximately 4 ounces — a quarter pound of lead. These massive guns were used against elephant, hippopotamus, and Cape buffalo in Africa before the development of modern nitro express cartridges. A functional 4-bore gun firing a full charge is among the most powerful shoulder-fired firearms ever made.
FAQs
- What bullet diameter is 4 Gauge?
- 4 Gauge uses a 1″ (25.4 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 4 Gauge still in production?
- 4 Gauge is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
- What is 4 Gauge used for?
- 4 Gauge is primarily used for hunting, sport shooting.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
