2 bore

Specifications

Two bore firearms generally fire spherical balls or slugs made of hardened lead, or in the case of a modern metallic cartridge with either solid brass or bronze projectiles. The nominal bore is 1.326 in, and projectiles generally weigh 8 ounces (227 grams; 3500 grains). The velocity is relatively low, at around 1500 ft/s at the muzzle, but develops approximately 17500 ft.lbf muzzle energy.

History and background

Despite the popularity of the calibre in modern gun lore there is no evidence the 2 bore as named was actually used as a terrestrial and shoulder fired firearm. The equivalent calibre size equates to various punt guns used for harvesting large number of waterfowls usually mounted in 'punts' or flat bottomed boats for commercial purposes. A common misconception is the hunter Sir Samuel White Baker being attributed to its use, however his firearm 'Baby' as described below was actually close to 3 bore, the firearms records still exist by the maker listing the serial number as 1296. The confusion occurs due to Baker's common reference to the projectile fired from the firearm weighing 'half a pound', which would if a round ball equate to a 2 bore by definition. However Baker himself never refers to this projectile being a round ball nor uses the term 2 bore in any of his writings, indicating this half pound shell was a longer projectile of cylindrical or conical shape.

Schroeder & Hetzendorfer cartridge

References

References

1. "Stolzer & Son's Gunsmithing".
2. Dickson, J. (2019, August 14). The tyrannosaurus 2-bore: Most powerful sporting rifle. Firearms News. https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/tyrannosaurus-2-bore-rifle/365185
3. S&H Super PrecisionTM. Schroeder & Hetzendorfer LLC. (n.d.). http://www.2-bore.com/home.html
4. (February 18, 2008). "S&H 2 Bore Blackpowder Express".
5. [[Samuel Baker]], ''The Albert N'Yanza, Great Basin Of The Nile'', p. 138, Macmillan, 1866, {{OCLC. 32791208.