Lindcott Armory Shotgun · Proprietary
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
- 1.052″ · 26.721 mm
- Introduced
- 1850
- Case
- Rimmed
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1850
- Type
- Shotgun
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Various
- Standard
- Proprietary
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Primer
- Shotgun
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 4 Gauge — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
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 ⌀ | 26.72 | 1.052 | ~ |
| 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 1.052″ (26.721 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 4 Gauge still in production?
- 4 Gauge is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
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 →