Cartridge comparison
16 Gauge vs 20 Gauge
16 Gauge and 20 Gauge are both in the reference; see the full spec comparison below.
Side by side
| 16 Gauge | 20 Gauge | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Shotgun | Shotgun |
| Introduced | 1866 | 1870 |
| Bullet diameter | 0.6614″ | 0.615″ |
| Case length | 2.75″ | 2.7598″ |
| Max pressure | 11,500 psi | 12,000 psi |
| Recoil | 18–26 ft·lb | 15–22 ft·lb |
| Effective range | 50 yd | 50 yd |
Highlighted cells hold the clear edge where both sides have a number. Every figure is a range maximum from the reference; typical loads run lower.
Case profiles, to scale
Drawn to the same scale, so the proportions are true. Physical size varies with your screen.