The 4 bore is a black powder caliber mostly for sale to hunters for hunting large and potentially dangerous game animals. This is one gun you need to buy and go hunting with. The first 4 gauge shotguns were muzzleloaders. The bore is located between the two larger bores and the 6 smaller bores. This caliber is the typical elephant gun caliber for black powder safari rifles. This caliber is also used for the Coffman cartridge used to start large aero engines. Most of these 4 bore rifles are single shots, although a few doubles are also available. The gun can weigh so much because a 4-gauge barrel needs a massive frame. The extra weight also absorbed recoil, which is endurable, at least in small doses.
see also ruger 5.7 carbineTHE EXTREME WEIGHT and recoil of these behemoths led to the decline in their use when powerful smokeless powder rifles became famously available. Cartridge size is another factor that figured prominently led to its demise, and still no one company has opted to make a print. A box of 4-gauge shells weighs 25 pounds which is a lot for some people. The shells themselves are just over an inch thick. This extra weight is absolutely necessary to handle the recoil of this monster. Smokeless powder produces less recoil than black powder and a special smokeless powder was developed to fill up the huge case. It had to burn slow, as a fast-burning powder would produce unbearable recoil at these velocities and could cause injury to the shooter. When you want to make the best gun ever made in its category, the cost is high both to the maker and the customer.
