RIFLES & SHOTGUNS from the UNITED KINGDOM

Some Questions and Answers

- Cal Pappas

Q. What were the smallest and largest black-powder charges used in sporting rifles?

A. Two drams or 55 grains in the .360 Black Powder Express up to 16 drams or 440 grains in the largest 4-bore rifle.

Q. How did the English gunsmiths determine the proper weight for a shotgun?

A. Proper shotgun weight was determined by 96 times the shot charge weight in ounces. A 12-bore proofed for a one-ounce charge time 96 = 96 ounces or six pounds gun weight. A 4-bore proofed for a 3½ ounce charge times 96 = 336 ounces or 21 pounds gun weight.

Q. Why do 8- and 4-bores vary so much in bore diameter?

A. While the chambers of the 8- and 4-bores were standardized, it was the wall thickness of the cartridge case that determined the diameter of the projectile and therefore the bore. A paper case had thicker walls than a brass case, equating to a smaller projectile diameter. Smaller bore rifles vary also, but not as much as the larger 8- and 4-bores.

Q. Where did the term “express rifle” originate?

A. James Purdey of London, in approximately 1856, named his new innovation an “express train rifle.” He used a larger than normal charge of black powder and lighter than normal projectile weight to obtain a higher than normal velocity. The word “train” was soon dropped, and the rifles were known as “express rifles.” When black powder gave way to smokeless or nitro powder, the two were differentiated by “black powder express” and “nitro express.”