Ammo Caliber Size Chart

Ammunition Caliber Size, Usage and Ballistics Guide

The following bullet caliber charts show a side-by-side size comparison between the most common rifle and handgun ammo catridges and the 50BMG. Details and specs for each bullet caliber include size, type, recoil primer and performance ballistics.

Caliber Size	Details / Specs
	Caliber: .22LR Bullet size: 30-40 grains Type: Rimfire cartridge Usage: Varmint < 50 lbs Velocity: 1,200-1,640 ft/s (40-30 gr) Energy: 131-191 ft⋅lbf (30-40 gr) Recoil: Low Bullet diameter: 0.223 in (5.7 mm) - 0.2255 in (5.73 mm) Case length: .613 in (15.6 mm) Overall length: 1.000 in (25.4 mm) Primer type: Rimfire 22LR ammo
	Caliber: .22 WMR Bullet size: 30-50 grains Type: Rimfire Usage: Personal Defense Velocity: 1,530-2,300 ft/s (50-30 gr) Energy: 300-324 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Low Bullet diameter: .224 in (5.7 mm) Case length: 1.055 in (26.8 mm) Overall length: 1.350 in (34.3 mm) Primer type: Rimfire .22 WMR ammo
	Caliber: 9mm Bullet size: 115-147 grains Type: Pistol Usage: Personal Defense Velocity: 1,180-2,010 ft/s (115-60gr) Energy: 355-501 ft⋅lbf (115-124gr) Bullet diameter: 9.01 mm (0.355 in) Case length: 19.15 mm (0.754 in) Overall length: 29.69 mm (1.169 in) Primer type: Berdan or Boxer small pistol 9mm ammo
	Caliber: 10mm Auto Bullet size: 77-220 grains Type: Pistol Usage: Medium Game 50-300 lb; Personal Defense Velocity: 1,290-2,420 ft/s (180-77 gr) Energy: 649-1,001 ft⋅lbf Bullet diameter: SAAMI: .4005 in (10.17 mm) Case length: SAAMI: .992 in (25.2 mm) Overall length: SAAMI: 1.260 in (32.0 mm) Primer type: Large pistol 10mm ammo
	Caliber: .380 ACP Bullet size: 45-100 grains Type: Pistol Usage: Personal Defense Velocity: 1,025-1,835 ft/s (100-45gr) Energy:203-337 ft⋅lbf Bullet diameter: .355 in (9.0 mm) Case length: .680 in (17.3 mm) Overall length: .984 in (25.0 mm) .380 ammo
	Caliber: .40 S&W Bullet size: 105-200 grains Type: Pistol Usage: Personal Defense Velocity: 1,050-1,130 ft/s (200-165 gr) Energy: 468-490 ft⋅lbf (165-200 gr) Bullet diameter: .400 in (10.2 mm) Case length: .850 in (21.6 mm) Overall length: 1.135 in (28.8 mm) Primer type: Small pistol 40 S&W ammo
	Caliber: .45 ACP Bullet size: 68-300 grains Type: Pistol Usage: Personal Defense Velocity: 835-2,036 ft/s (230-90 gr) Energy: 356-829 ft⋅lbf Bullet diameter: .450 in (11.4 mm) Case length: .898 in (22.8 mm) Overall length: 1.275 in (32.4 mm) Primer type: Large 45 Auto (ACP) ammo
	Caliber: .38 Special Bullet size: 110-158 grains Type: Revolver Usage: Personal Defense Velocity: 900-1,150 ft/s (147-100 gr) Energy:264-333 ft⋅lbf Bullet diameter: .357 in (9.1 mm) Case length: 1.155 in (29.3 mm) Overall length: 1.550 in (39.4 mm) Primer type: Small pistol 38 Special ammo
	Caliber: .357 Magnum Bullet size: 100-200 grains Type: Handgun; Carbine Usage: Varmint < 50 lbs; Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Personal Defense Velocity: 1,080-1,450ft/s (180-125 gr) Energy: 539-583 ft⋅lbf Bullet diameter: .357 in (9.1 mm) Case length: 1.29 in (33 mm) Overall length: 1.59 in (40 mm) Primer type: Small pistol magnum .357 Magnum ammo
	Caliber: 44 Magnum Bullet size: 180-340 grains Type: Handgun; Rifle Usage: Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs; Personal Defense Velocity: 1,180-1,475 ft/s (340-240 gr) Energy: 741-1,533 ft⋅lbf Bullet diameter: .429 in (10.9 mm) Case length: 1.285 in (32.6 mm) Overall length: 1.61 in (41 mm) Primer type: Large Pistol 44 Magnum ammo
	Caliber: 7.62x39mm Bullet size: 120-125 grains Type: Rifle Usage: Personal Defense; Medium Game (50-300 lbs) Velocity: 730-738 ft/s (122-154 gr) Energy: 1,555-1,607 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Low Bullet diameter: 7.85–7.9 mm (0.309–0.311") Case length: 38.70 mm (1.524 in) Overall length: 56.00 mm (2.205 in) Primer type:Boxer Large Rifle (brass); Berdan (steel case)
	Caliber: .223 Bullet size: 36-112 grains Type: Rifle Usage: Varmint < 50lbs; Personal Defense; Target/Match Velocity: 2,750-3,750ft/s (77-36 gr) Energy: 959-1,401 ft⋅lbf (36-77 gr) Recoil: Low Bullet diameter: 0.224 in (5.7 mm) Case length: 1.76 in (45 mm) Overall length: 2.26 in (57 mm) Primer type: Small rifle .223 ammo
	Caliber: .22-250 Remington Bullet size: 35-75 grains Type: Rifle Usage: Varmint < 50 lbs Velocity: 3,500-4,224 ft/s (64-40 gr) Energy: 1,585-1,751 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Low Bullet diameter: .224 in (5.7 mm) Case length: 1.912 in (48.6 mm) Overall length: 2.35 in (60 mm) Primer type: Large rifle .22-250 Remington ammo
	Caliber: .243 Winchester Bullet size: 55-115 grains Type: Rifle Usage: Medium Game 50-300 lbs Velocity: 2,960-3,925 ft/s (100-58 gr) Energy: 1,873-1,994 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Low Bullet diameter: .243 in (6.2 mm) Case length: 2.045 in (51.9 mm) Overall length: 2.7098 in (68.83 mm) Primer type: Large Rifle .243 Winchester ammo
	Caliber: 6.5mm Creedmoor Bullet size: 120-150 grains Type: Centerfire rifle Usage: Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs; Personal Defense Velocity: 2,710-3,020 ft/s (143-120 gr) Energy: 2,283-2,430 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Moderate Bullet diameter: .2644 in (6.72 mm) Case length: 1.920 in (48.8 mm) Overall length: 2.825 in (71.8 mm) Primer type: Large rifle, Small rifle 6.5 Creedmoor ammo
	Caliber: .308 Bullet size: 100-240 grains Type: Rifle Usage: Large Game (300-1500 lbs); Dangerous Game Velocity: 2,510-3,100 ft/s (185-125 gr) Energy: 2,588-2.668 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Moderate Bullet diameter: 0.308 in (7.8 mm) Case length: 2.015 in (51.2 mm) Overall length: 2.800 in (71.1 mm) Primer type: Large rifle 308 ammo
	Caliber: .270 Winchester Bullet size: 90-160 grains Type: Rifle Usage: Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs Velocity: 2,850-3,603 ft/s (150-90 gr) Energy: 2,595-2,705 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Moderate Bullet diameter: .277 in (7.0 mm) Case length: 2.540 in (64.5 mm) Overall length: 3.340 in (84.8 mm) Primer type: Large rifle .270 Winchester ammo
	Caliber: .30-06 Bullet size: 110-220 grains Type: Rifle Usage: Medium-Large Game (50-1500 lbs) Velocity: 2,500-2,910 ft/s (150-220 gr) Energy: 2,820-3,036 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Moderate Bullet diameter: 308 in (7.8 mm) Case length: 2.494 in (63.3 mm) Overall length: 3.34 in (85 mm) Primer type: Large rifle .30-06 ammo
	Caliber: .300 Win Mag Bullet size: 110-250 grains Type: Rifle, Large Game Usage: Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs Velocity: 2,875-3,300 ft/s (220-165 gr) Energy: 3,990-4,038 ft⋅lbf Recoil: Moderate-High Bullet diameter: .308 in (7.8 mm) Case length: 2.62 in (67 mm) Overall length: 3.34 in (85 mm) Primer type: Large Rifle Magnum .300 Win Mag ammo
*Cartridge ballistics, usage and recoil taken from Sportsman's Warehouse rifle ballistics and rifle recoil tables.

Bullet Grain Weight

Bullet size may vary within a given cartidge, or a cartridge may have a standard bullet size. For example, .308 rifle bullet size varies from about 125 to over 185 grains. Bulllet size for the 9mm Luger cartidge varies from 60 to 160 grains. However, AR-15 ammo has a standard bullet size of 55 grains. Even when you purchase a standard .308 rifle, you still have the option of firing various sizes of bullets.

Impact of Bullet Weight on Shooting

Bullet weight impacts bullet performance. Bullet weight impacts trajectory, terminal ballistics, impact to target, and recoil. When determining what size of bullet to use, it's important to consider how you'll be using your firearm. If you're going to be target shooting at close range, your bullet weight really isn't going to be that important. A lighter, less expensive bullet should work just fine. However, if distance, accuracy and takedown are factors, then bullet weight matters.

A lighter bullet typically is faster than a heavier bullet. It often maintains a flatter trajectory as well. However, light weight bullets are much more susceptible to wind than heavier bullets. On a winding day, a lighter bullet may be blown off target far easier than a heavier bullet. When it comes to accuracy, bullet weight is only one of several factors to consider.

Bullet Weight vs Recoil

Recoil is a simple function of physics. For every action there is an equal and opposition reaction. It requires more energy to move a heavier bullet. Hence, a heavier bullet generally generates more recoil than a lighter bullet. However, there are many factors beyond bullet weight, such as firearm weight and cartidge load, that play into recoil. For target partice, lower bullet weights, that generate less recoil, are typically ideal.

Why Choose a Larger Cartidge and Heavier Bullet?

There are pros and cons to using a lighter weight bullet versus a heavier weight bullet. However, when energy at the target is a top priority, it makes sense to go with a larger cartridge and heavier bullet. Using a larger caliber cartridge with a heavier bullet provides better expansion, penetration and take down power for hunting and humanely taking down large game.

Heavier bullets are also ideal for self defense weapons where stopping power is essential -- and your first shot may be your only shot.

Disclaimer: Sportsman's Warehouse assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the information on this page. Although we strive to provide the most accurate information as we can the information contained in this page is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.