What is the size? Calibers of smoothbore and rifled guns

The fact that such a caliber, well-known to all hunters, members of special units, military and people who are simply addicted subject of small arms. Simple question: many calibers, they are different from each other, are used in different units to hit a target.

Overview

First try to formulate a simple, understandable words, what caliber: the inside diameter of the stem, which characterizes the kind of firearm. It should be remembered that all the well-known nowadays weapon is divided into two broad categories depending on the internal arrangement of the barrel: it is smooth, grooved. For each type is characterized by its own unique gauges, the measurement of which is produced according to certain rules, strictly characteristic for this category of weapons.

If we consider, for example, a rifle, then it will have the caliber to calculate in millimeters or inches, to be exact, his hundredth, a thousandth part. It should be remembered that an inch is equal to 25, 4 mm. If the classification of small arms used metrazhnaya system with inches, then the toe before the dot in the notation is not set, write only the symbol itself and the figures after the ".45". Such a threaded bore - is 0, 45 inch, i.e. 11, 43 mm.

And that with a smooth barrel?

Weapons of this category to classify according to the characteristics of the barrel device somewhat differently. Quite a long time in the United Kingdom have developed quite slim, a reasonable system, and that it is in vogue to this day. To determine the caliber necessary to predict what kind of bullets from the maximum size of lead can be used when shooting from the weapon. Calculate how much such bullets may be made of lead alloy weight 0, 454 kg. Weight is not chosen by chance, he meets the traditional British pound. The higher the number in the description of a particular device for firing, the greater gauge, the more can be made from almost pound of lead bullets applicable in this item. It is logical to assume that the diameter of each individual small consumable material will be less.

Pretty great demand for traditional dvenadtsatikalibernye gun. Normally barrel have a diameter of 18, 4 mm, although much depends on the manufacturer: Some products are made with 18, 2-mm barrel, while others value reaches even 18, 8 mm. Caliber weapon, characterized in the conventional system as the twentieth may be described weapons diameter of about 15, 7 mm. Specified minimum value, a particular manufacturer can make a product with a large-sized trunk. Twenty-eighth gauge 13 is described in diameter, 8 mm. However, wherever there are rules, there are exceptions. For example, the barrel caliber .410: it is used to describe a smooth barrel guns and designated parameter characteristic for rifled. A similar confusion is observed in the description of the relatively new development of our country gunsmiths - chuck .366TKM.

The bullet and caliber: similar, but different

Many people wonder why the size and caliber bullets - they are different parameters for weapons. This is due to structural features of the products used for the destruction of the target. For example, in the case of threaded, while gauges here you can measure as much as two methods, given a field of grooves, or the bottom part. Typically, a bullet is of a size to fit the bottom mode parameter slicing. Slight tolerances. That is the caliber of weapon - a little more informative feature than the size of the bullet.

Before the Soviet Union, and is currently on the territory of our country, usually measured by the caliber rifled fields. Hence, cartridges, as measured showing 5 to 45 mm, characterized by the fact bullet diameter of 5 7 mm. Nine-caliber bullet can be described, whose size - 9 mm 2. But abroad often prefer to focus on the bottom groove. Considering that this caliber of "Luger", usually speak of the chuck 9 * 19, and the measurement of the bullet can get an accurate response in 9, 02 mm.

The farther into the forest ...

For some types of weapons caliber becomes very conditional, inaccurate response. The most characteristic is the parameter measured by inches. Thus, for the cartridges of caliber revolver commercially represented as .38 (special edition), with the exact dimension of bottom grooves shows bullet diameter size of 9, 1 mm, which in English metric system is 0 358 inch (+/- 0, 001) . But for the "Magnum" used ammunition belonging to .357. Bullet diameter of which coincides with the above, but in comparison with a special release liner .38 longer, and the propellant charge is increased for greater power.

A similar confusion if one looks different caliber rifles. For example, the bullet diameter of 0 224 inches may completely denoted by different symbols as applied to different grades and types of weapons. For the "Hornet" it will be the twenty-second gauge for "Remington" .222, .223, and for "fireball" and does .221. For a layman, quite impossible even to suggest that we are talking about one and the same bullet diameter parameter!

Caliber one cartridge features

It was such an amazing discrepancy is observed at present. Truly, the world classification of firearms extremely confusing. On the other hand, in some ways it simplifies the work of experts to determine it was released from a gun is in charge. Currently, there are countless many of these rounds, which are represented in the sale of the same caliber, but to replace the one on the other will not work, because in fact these products are very, very different, despite the similarity of the bullet diameter. This also applies to hunting calibers, and all the rest. Currently, for example, only on the US open spaces in the course of more than a dozen of types of commercial twenty-two caliber. For all of them the diameter of the bullet is described as 0, 224 inches, but the products differ from each other by different parameters and characteristics. All currently used varieties were included in a single standardized system called SAAMI. However, as can be seen from the practice, even this systematization has not made the task orientation in the abundance of weapons ammunition for non-specific knowledge in any way easier. Considering what caliber weapon, you must always be aware of this feature, to realize that often the phrase has a rather broad meaning. In fact, from it we can make an accurate idea of ​​what kind of weapons used in the cartridge type, but not often you can see which specific instance of the suit - there is need to have specific knowledge about the particular model firearm.

Marking

Smoothbore gauges often are labeled according to the system developed in the UK. It is indicated how great chamber. For example, when referring to 12/76 can talk about mutual substitutability with widespread in America 12/3 ". This gauge is intended for use in firearms products, which chamber - a three-inch, in millimeters is 76. From practice it is clear that most of the modern short cartridges can be used during the shooting of the weapon, which is more than the chamber dimensions, but in the opposite direction this rule does not work, this gun operation is particularly dangerous to health and life arrow. With access to the 12/70 cartridges, you can use them if you got a gun in the hands of 12/76. In the application in practice semidesyatimillimetrovogo chamber and sleeves, the length of which is 76 mm, the person poses a threat to himself.

If we consider the currently widespread rifled firearms, you'll see that most formal caliber cartridges. Thus the length of the barrel reflect millimeters. Often situation, when at equal metric parameters cartridges differ any important indicators. In this situation, the name of a special supplement suffixes unique names to distinguish items from one another, making it possible to pick up the arrow on offer suitable consumables to process products using was not hazardous to life.

How does it work in practice?

Imagine that we are interested in the nine-millimeter caliber. You can find two cartridges, formally belonging to this class: Police 9 × 18 and 9 × 18 PM. Apart from the formal classification, they are the same and the sleeve length - 18 mm. However, 9 * 18 PM in fact differs somewhat larger bullet than the police "analog". The reason for such discrepancies - that these cartridges have been developed in different countries, they are subject to the national system of classification of weapons, consider the local manufacturing of fire products. As in the case of a mismatch caliber gun and applied supplies, and can collide with unpleasant consequences described by careless selection rounds. For example, if a police weapon model to deliver ammunition, intended for 9 * 18 PM, it may end in tears for most shooter.

In some cases, further added suffixes to help more accurately identify the features of a particular product by name. Most often, in practice, you can meet the "P" suffix. If specified, therefore, bright design feature - a prominent rim. In our country are exploited, for example, in some models of TOZ. But the most famous and popular in different times patron, who had a prominent rim, sales there under the name 7, 62 * 54R. It is designed for use in their respective rifles.

Curious features

As experts point out, in our country the greatest demand now enjoys a 12 caliber. There is nothing surprising in this, because it is designed for hunting. Acquire a gun, in which a consumable is applicable, and charges thereto should any hunter, planning to go on wild birds - pheasant, quail or a goose. With the skills and enough ammunition, you can please the home capercaillie, black grouse, duck. However, only the birds will not be exhausted by mining, with good fortune hunter as a reward for talent and persistence will bring a hare, a fox.

As noted by professionals, 12 gauge has a number of positive features, thanks to which has become so common in hunting environment. At decent speed characteristics of such a loaded shotgun cartridges will have more firepower. As from the beginning of the cartridge developing good speed, it helps to save on calculation of pre-emption if mining flies across. Consequently, good results will be even novice hunters who do not have much experience in this challenging hobby. Even in winter the shot will be sharp, and thus himself hike in the woods - the best.

The rules and laws of

Some time ago, 308 hunting rifle caliber was considered completely unacceptable on ethical hunting, and people use it automatically transferred from the category of professionals in the poachers. In principle, this approach is concerned not only this model, but all rifled semiautomatic a whole. Indeed, the speed of re-shot makes it possible to shoot at a wounded animal several times with minimum time intervals - production is not exactly leave.

Currently, the sale of a lot referred rifled semiautomatic caliber. Opinions still differ, but such an absolute and total conviction on the part of the public does not. Many believe that to poach any person, and even disadvantages of weapons did not prevent him, if that is put before him the goal, while the ethical hunter even rifled semiautomatic, with high firepower among its features, will still lead the hunt adequately, compliance with regulations. Since the issue is more ethical, and manufacturers have released several new products in the last few years, attracting the attention of the community, probably the near future will show which way the pendulum will swing public opinion and determine whether, finally, a stable position on the issue.

Systematics and metric

Many people wonder whether there is any single standardized system of transfers between the gauges. Professionals answer this question emphatically in the negative. Despite the serious confusion in the said matter, and it failed to develop a common approach to the designation of this day. Many believe that in the future nothing will not appear - at least not in the next few decades.

Artillery and small

Currently, in our country it is customary to refer to small arms such instances, which are characterized by a diameter of the stem within two tenths of a millimeter. If the rate exceeds this limit, the product will have to be classified as a small-caliber artillery. However, such standards are characteristic of our country and it is for this time. But in different countries and at different time intervals presenting people on the correct classification of the concepts are quite different. Thus, at some point the Germans perceived as only artillery weapons such stem diameter was 30 mm and more. However, exceptions to the rules - this seems to be the basic rule of weapons in the world. In our country, in the sale are two interesting domestic developments - "Drake" (his gun for hunting caliber fourth), COP-23. Despite the size of the trunk exceeds the set limit, these products are not considered to artillery category.

As experts point out, using weapons, it is desirable to comply with the rules of operation, in particular, only to pick up the appropriate cartridges. The use of several different weapons is always associated with increased risk for most shooter. When choosing consumable items should be considered as a formal calibration and type recommended by the manufacturer for a particular cartridge weapons.

Chamber caliber

It is no secret that in our world of standardization - an area of ​​activity of special gosinstantsy. There are those that are responsible for the rules of the weight measurement, the other - for the footage. Similarly, put and the House that deals with weapons-caliber. At the international level, "runs the ball," standing committee on the test bullet guns for manual use. It is subject to the provisions of the whole of Europe. Our country became a member of this committee, so all the weapons that are made, implemented within the powers must conform to standards of PMK. This fact necessarily checked. The rule also applies to items for personal use, and intended to officials.

Verification process involves identifying compliance with established standards aspects size chamber, the stem channel pressure level allowable for a particular trunk. Required characteristics of controlled ammunition.

A similar area of ​​activity - from the US Commission SAAMI. This organization is included in the major ANSI system actually implements the same powers as those described for the PMC.