What is the primary difference between shotguns and rifles regarding barrel design?

The primary difference between shotguns and rifles in terms of barrel design lies in the type of bore they each have. Shotguns are characterized by their smoothbore barrels, which lack the grooves that create rifling. This smooth design allows shotguns to fire a spread of pellets or a single slug without stabilizing the projectile through spinning.

On the other hand, rifles are engineered with rifled barrels, which feature spiral grooves that impart a spin to the bullet as it travels down the barrel. This spinning stabilizes the bullet, enhancing its accuracy over greater distances. The difference in barrel design directly influences the intended use and performance characteristics of each firearm type.

In summary, shotguns have a smoothbore barrel, making them ideal for shooting moving targets at shorter ranges, while rifles—with their rifled barrels—are designed for precision shooting over greater distances.