Final answer:
Pistol bores are smaller and usually have rifling, while shotgun bores are larger and usually have a smooth bore. Pistols fire bullets, while shotguns can fire shotshells or slugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pistol bores and shotgun bores differ in several ways:
- Size: Pistol bores are typically smaller in diameter than shotgun bores. The bore diameter of a pistol is usually measured in hundredths or thousandths of an inch, while shotgun bores are typically measured in gauges, with higher numbers indicating a smaller bore size.
- Rifling: Most pistols have rifling, which means the inside of the barrel has spiral grooves that help stabilize the bullet. Shotgun barrels, on the other hand, usually do not have rifling. Instead, they have a smooth bore, allowing for the use of shot pellets or slugs.
- Ammunition: Pistols are designed to fire bullets, which are small, single-projectile rounds. Shotguns can fire a variety of ammunition types, including shotshells with multiple pellets or slugs.
These are some of the main differences between pistol bores and shotgun bores.