What is a caliber? What are the caliber of weapons

For the fifth century, one of the parameters that characterize the power of firearms is the caliber. What is the caliber, can answer any person more or less versed in the military sphere - this is the size of the ammunition and the diameter of the trunk. The French origin of the term, literally meaning "how many pounds", can tell an interesting history of parametrization in the arms business. It is also believed that the basis of the word Arabic: "galib" - means "form". The diameter of the barrel of modern small arms can be characterized in accordance with four classification systems. For example, the smooth-bore hunting rifle "Saiga" is the 36th caliber, caliber .410, caliber .41 or 10.25 mm.

English system

Two centuries ago, both artillery systems and small arms used round ammunition. Kernels for guns and mortars were made of cast iron, and in some cases were scraped out of stone. Bullets for guns and pistols were cast from lead. England, being an advanced industrial power, distributed not only advanced technologies in metal processing, the newest weapons systems, but also an original system of measures and weights. The British principle of measuring the inner diameter of the trunk was common in all armies of the world. The standard was the British pound (453.59 g) of lead (for guns) or cast iron (for guns) and ammunition produced from it. Thus, a three-pound cast iron core served as an ammunition for the corresponding gun - a three-pound gun (according to modern classification - 76 mm). And the number of bullets made from one pound of lead, placed in the barrel of the gun barrel, explains what the caliber of small arms is. For a larger diameter barrel, accordingly, less ammunition was produced. The smaller the number of markings, the greater the diameter of the trunk. The fourth caliber is much larger than the thirty-sixth.

Today, this measurement system is used only for smooth-bore hunting weapons. Some foreign ammunition is supplied with the inscription Gauge, standing next to the number - the index of caliber. Gejdzh - this is a dimensional lead ball, which a couple of centuries ago determined the caliber of weapons.

In the West measured in inches

After 1917, Russia switched to the metric system of measures, and in the countries of the British Commonwealth and in the United States, the diameter of the trunk is still measured in fractions of an inch. In Russia, the parameters are considered in millimeters: the caliber of the AK-47 is 7.62 mm. In the New World, this weapon is called the AK-47 of the thirteenth caliber, that is, thirty-one hundredth of an inch. And in the United Kingdom and the United States, various design principles apply. Zero in the English-speaking world is omitted, the separator of tenths and hundredths of a decimal fraction is not a comma, but a period. In England, about the diameter of the trunk channel of the legendary AK will write a "caliber .300", and in the United States the "caliber .30" - in thousandths and hundredths of an inch, respectively. In colloquial speech the same picture: the automatic machine we are familiar with will be referred to as an automatic carbine of the 300th or 30th caliber. The weapons of the following calibers were most widely distributed.

What is the caliber of rifled weapons

Armory firms use two systems for measuring the diameter of the barrel bore. In Russia, the states of the former USSR, and also in the armies of our former satellites in Asia and Africa, the caliber is determined by the distance between the opposite cuts (the shortest distance). In the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, the caliber is the distance between the bottom of the rifling (the largest diameter). So, the most widespread type of small arms in the West, the M16 rifle , according to NATO standards, has a caliber of 5.6 mm, and according to domestic standards - 5.42 mm.

Caliber is a parameter that determines the type of gun and small arms. The length of the barrel is measured in calibers. If in the characteristics of the guns they write 130/55, it means that the caliber of the gun is 130 mm, the length of the barrel is 55 calibers - 7150 mm. If the length of the barrel is less than 30 calibers, then the cannon is a howitzer, more is a cannon. In small arms the same principle. Rifles have a barrel length of 70 calibers, carbines - 50. In the domestic AKM automatic machine, the caliber of the cartridge is 7.62 mm, the length of the barrel is 54 calibers. Consequently, this type of weapon is a carbine with the ability to conduct automatic fire. Automatic AK-74 caliber cartridge 5.45 has a barrel length of 76 calibers. In accordance with the generally accepted classification, this is an automatic rifle. And the term "automatic machine" was put into circulation for ideological reasons.

A large machine gun or a small cannon?

The innumerable variety of models of small arms for military and civilian purposes, according to the size of the barrel channel, is conventionally divided into three groups:

• Small caliber - less than 6.5 mm - sports and special weapons, as a rule, round ignition cartridges;
• Normal caliber - from 6.5 mm to 9 mm - the most common type of small arms;
• A large caliber - from 9 mm to 30 mm - machine guns for arming technical equipment and special weapons.

Small arms, as a rule, have a trunk diameter up to 30 mm. From 30 mm, small-caliber artillery begins. Ammunition for small arms is ammunition, for artillery - shells. In this classification there can be exceptions. So aviation armament with a caliber of 23 mm is called a gun, and for a heavy American sniper 20 mm rifle shells are made. In the special literature, articles with a caliber of 30 mm are classified as small arms. Devices that absorb recoil after a shot, typical for artillery systems, this type of automatic weapons does not.

Chief caliber of hunters

The term, of course, does not apply to the sphere of small arms. The main caliber is the instruments of the largest size, which formed the basis of the power of artillery warships. The larger the caliber of guns, the more powerful the ship was. With small arms, the situation is slightly different: a large caliber is not always convenient. In a variety of modern guns and classification systems can be understood only by a specialist. The archaic English system of measures is still used to mark the parameters of smooth-bore samples. What is the caliber for a hunter going to big game? This is a matter of life and death. You can compare the caliber of smooth-bore hunting rifles with the metric system of measurements in the following table.

Civilian models of small arms throughout the world are produced in the range from the 4th to the 36th. In Russia, the most common hunting calibers - the twelfth, sixteenth and twentieth. It should also be borne in mind that each arms manufacturer has its own specific production of the trunk. Even with such serious arms concerns as Izhmash and TOZ, the 12th caliber of the barrel bore has a difference of almost a millimeter.

Twelfth caliber

12 The size of the gun today is most popular among hunters, although in previous years it was not very common. This is a very powerful weapon. The target can be beaten at a distance of up to 35 meters. Because of its versatility, it is used in fishing for any kind of game - from squirrel to moose and bear. A shot from a gun with an eight-millimeter grapnel is equivalent to nine shots from a 32-caliber pistol.

Renaissance smooth barrel

In the seventies of the last century smooth-bore rifles began to return to combat service, first as a weapon of self-defense, and then as equipment for combat units. Many weapons experts believe that the most effective melee weapon (up to 50 m) is a tactical rifle that provides a fire density no less than an automatic weapon. Ammunition smooth-bore guns have a significant stopping effect. The most common among the police shotguns is the 12 gauge.

In some countries shotguns are classified as assault weapons and are not only armed with law enforcement forces, but also with special units. Shotguns of this caliber are equipped with US marines guarding embassies abroad. The gun size is versatile and allows the use of various types of ammunition: from rubber bullets to special devices that throw 'cats' on the roofs of houses. Samples were created with the possibility of conducting automatic fire. The most successful example - a 12-digit assault carbine Protecta produced in South Africa.

Sixteenth caliber

Easier to give - 16 caliber. This type of guns in Soviet times was most popular due to the mass production of Tula gunsmiths. Nowadays, domestic manufacturers, focusing on the foreign market, do not produce weapons of this caliber. Hunting rifles are produced in Italy and France. The weapon is lighter than the twelfth, but more powerful and cheaper than the twentieth. Very often, the weapons of this caliber are pumpless without a stock. 16 caliber is popular with security personnel, although some hunters call it "dying."

Selection of professionals

20 gauge is mainly used by professional fishers. It has less lethal force than the first two options. The weight of the ammunition is 10-12 grams less than that of the 12 gauge. The main advantage is less weight, which is not the last value for long pedestrian crossings. 20 caliber received a second life with the advent of new cartridges '' Magnum '' with a weight fraction up to 36 grams. Owners note a much smaller impact force with the same weight of ammunition and the comfort of using such a weapon.

Reviews and advice experienced

Which gauge to choose depends on the arrow itself. There is no single answer. The choice depends on several factors: this is the quality and caliber of the gun, the type of ammunition, the conditions of the game, the type of game and the skill of the arrow. It is clear that it is necessary to go for a big game with a powerful weapon. Concerning any model, there are arguments and counterarguments. For example, the contradictory opinion is caused by the 20 caliber. Reviews about him are diametrically opposed. For some, it's very nice to have a powerful and light weapon, and others do not see the point of overpaying for ammunition. Moreover, there are light samples of the twelfth, and the domestic weapons of the twentieth caliber do not gain much in weight. Some people do not like the strong return of guns with a large caliber, this is especially noticeable with several successive shots during the autumn migration of the bird. In addition, weapons must be worn for a long time on their hands and quickly toss up. When hunting from the approach of the twelfth - not the best option.

We go to the duck

The guns of the 24th and 28th calibers are less popular. In Russia they are not manufactured since the forties of the last century. For this specific weapon, small-shot cartridges are intended for ducks and hares. The hunting of small game with similar rifles requires considerable skill and accuracy. The owners of these guns note the excellent accuracy of combat and significant savings in the liner material. Small firing guns produce much less noise when firing. However, such products are quite rare and it is difficult to find ammunition.

Pneumatics

The hunting with pneumatic weapons is gaining popularity. Caliber 5.5 mm produced by many domestic and foreign gunsmiths. Pneumatic weapons before firing require pre-pumping of the tank. In the West, this system was called Pre Charge Pneumatics, abbreviated as PCP. The pistols use a replaceable cartridge with compressed air.

Caliber 5.5 is used in hunting for poultry, including wild goose. Experienced hunters with pneumatics go to small game: a hare, a marmot, a fox. This weapon is intended for sighting and accurate shooting. Air rifles should be well-targeted, to increase efficiency, they are supplied with expensive optics and bipods. The use of the "soundmaker" will bring to nothing the already quiet sound of the shot. In case of a miss, you can use the second attempt.

Other types of smoothbore weapons

Hunters are offered smooth-bore rifles of the 32nd and 36th caliber. Thirty-second is designed for a similar cartridge rifled combat weapons. Also used in sports samples. The 36th came into use in our country with the beginning of the production of a self-loading smooth-bore rifle "Saiga" for an unaccustomed ammunition - cartridge "Magnum" 10.25x76. This weapon is used for amateur and commercial hunting, as well as fighters of some special units and security organizations in Russia and Kazakhstan. The eighth caliber is used for a special weapon that shoots syringes with sleeping pills for sleeping cattle and for catching large animals in the wild. The 4th caliber has signal and starting pistols. In Russia, a four-shot rifle of this caliber was developed for commercial hunting under the brand "Selezen-4", but after the release of a small series it was withdrawn from production.

And one more caliber

Some today are trying to find an answer to the question about what a 13 gauge is. We answer. This is not a sample of small arms, but the largest in Moscow and the area of the weapons store. The '13 caliber 'cooperates directly with many arms brands worldwide and carries out wholesale and retail sales of all types of hunting, sports, traumatic weapons and ammunition.