Ammo Caliber Size Chart

Ammo Caliber Size Chart

Ammo Caliber Size Chart

Ammunition Caliber Size & Usage Guide

Ammo caliber size chart

When it comes to firearms, choosing the right ammunition is just as important as selecting the right gun. Ammo caliber sizes determine the power, accuracy, and intended use of a firearm. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or a beginner, understanding caliber sizes can help you make informed decisions.


.22 Long Range Bullet
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
.22 WMR bullet
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
9mm ammo size
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 1.169 in (29.69 mm)
Primer type Berdan or Boxer small pistol
9mm ammo
10mm Bullet
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
.380 Auto Bullet
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
.40 S&W Bullet
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
.45 ACP Bullet
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
38 Special Bullet
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
.357 Magnum Bullet
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
44 Magnum Bullet
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
7.62x39 Bullet
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)
.223 Caliber Bullet
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
300 AAC Blackout Bullet
Caliber 300 AAC Blackout
Bullet size 78-220 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Varmint < 50 lbs; Personal Defense
Velocity 1,010-2,800 ft/s (220-78 gr)
Energy 498-1,377 ft⋅lbf
Bullet diameter 0.308 in (7.8 mm)
Case length 1.368 in (34.7 mm)
Overall length 2.26 in (57 mm)
Primer type Small rifle
300 AAC Blackout ammo
5.56mm Nato Bullet
Caliber 5.56mm Nato
Bullet size 55-77 grain
Type Rifle, carbine, DMR, and LMG
Usage Varmint < 50 lbs; Target/Match; Personal Defense
Velocity 2,790-3,260 ft/s (63-55 gr)
Energy 1,679-1,859 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Low
Bullet diameter 5.7 mm (0.224 in)
Case length 44.70 mm (1.760 in)
Overall length 2.260 in (57.40 mm)
Primer type Small rifle
5.56mm Nato ammo
.22-250 Remington Bullet
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
.243 Winchester Bullet
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
7mm-08 Rem Bullet
Caliber 7mm-08 Remington
Bullet size 100-195 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs
Velocity 2,595-2,800 ft/s (175-140 gr)
Energy 2,339-2,617 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Low-Moderate
Bullet diameter 0.284 in (7.2 mm)
Case length 2.035 in (51.7 mm)
Overall length 2.80 in (71 mm)
Primer type Large rifle
7mm-08 Rem ammo
6.5 Creedmoor Bullet
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
.308 Bullet
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
.270 Winchester
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
.30-06 cartridge
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
300 Win mag
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
7mm Rem Mag Bullet
Caliber 7mm Remington Magnum
Bullet size 110-175 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs
Velocity 2,860-3,500 ft/s (175-110 gr)
Energy 2,992-3,221 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Moderate
Bullet diameter .284 in (7.2 mm)
Case length 2.5 in (64 mm)
Overall length 3.29 in (84 mm)
Primer type Large rifle magnum
7mm Rem Mag ammo
300 Winchester bullet
Caliber 300 Winchester
Bullet size 150-220 grains
Type Rifle, Large game
Usage Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs
Velocity 2,875-3,300 ft/s (220-150 gr)
Energy 3,628-4,038 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Moderate
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 Winchester ammo
30-30 Winchester
Caliber 30-30 Winchester
Bullet size 110-170 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs
Velocity 2,227-2,684 ft/s (170-110 gr)
Energy 1,760-1,873 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Low
Bullet diameter .308 in (7.8 mm)
Case length 2.039 in (51.8 mm)
Overall length 2.550 in (64.8 mm)
Primer type Large rifle
30-30 ammo
28 Nolser overall size inches
Caliber 28 Nosler
Bullet size 55 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Medium Game 50-300 lbs; Large Game 300-1500 lbs
Velocity 3,500 ft/s (1,100 m/s)
Energy 1,496 ft⋅lbf (2,028 J)
Recoil Moderate-High
Bullet diameter 5.70 mm (.2245 in)
Case length 44.7 mm (1.760 in)
Overall length 57.4 mm (2.260 in)
Primer type Rifle
222 Remington
Caliber 222 Remington
Bullet size 40-60 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Varmint < 50 lbs
Velocity 2,937-3,583 ft/s (60-40 gr)
Energy 1,150-1,141 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Low
Bullet diameter .224 in (5.7 mm)
Case length 1.700 in (43.2 mm)
Overall length 2.130 in (54.1 mm)
Primer type Small rifle
222 Remington ammo
22 Hornet size
Caliber 22 Hornet
Bullet size 35-55 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Varmint < 50 lbs
Velocity 2,652-3,060 ft/s (55-35 gr)
Energy 728-859 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Low
Bullet diameter .224 (some older rifles use .223) ref Hornady
Case length 1.403 in (35.6 mm)
Overall length 1.723 in
Primer type Small rifle
22 Hornet ammo
220 Swift size
Caliber 220 Swift
Bullet size 40-60 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Varmint < 50 lbs
Velocity 3,647- 4,213 ft/s (60-40 gr)
Energy 1,577-1,772 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Low
Bullet diameter .224 in (5.7 mm)
Case length 2.205 in (56.0 mm)
Overall length 2.680, 2.580 H.P. Bullets
Primer type Large rifle
220 Swift ammo
224 Valkyrie Size
Caliber 224 Valkyrie
Bullet size 60-90 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Target/Match
Velocity 2,638-3,459 ft/s (90-60 gr)
Energy 1,391-1,594 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Low
Bullet diameter 0.2245 in (5.70 mm)
Case length 1.60 in (41 mm)
Overall length 2.260 in (57.4 mm)
Primer type Small Rifle
224 Valkyrie ammo
22-250 Remington size
Caliber 22-250 Remington
Bullet size 64-40 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Varmint < 50 lbs
Velocity 3,500-4,224 ft/s (64-40 gr)
Energy 1,585-1,741 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
257 Roberts size
Caliber 257 Roberts
Bullet size 75-117 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Medium Game 50-300 lbs
Velocity 2,840-3,450 ft/s (117-75 gr)
Energy 1,983-2,096 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Low
Bullet diameter .257 in (6.5 mm)
Case length 2.233 in (56.7 mm)
Overall length 2.775 in (70.5 mm)
Primer type large rifle
257 Roberts ammo
257 Weatherby size
Caliber 257 Weatherby Magnum
Bullet size 87-120 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Medium Game 50-300 lbs
Velocity 3,305-3,825 ft/s (120-87 gr)
Energy 2,826-2,910 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Moderate
Bullet diameter .257 in (6.5 mm)
Case length 2.545 in (64.6 mm)
Overall length 3.209 in (81.5 mm)
Primer type Large Rifle (magnum)
257 Weatherby Magnum ammo
375 Ruger
Caliber .375 Ruger
Bullet size 270-300 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Large Game (300-1500 lbs); Dangerous Game
Velocity 2,660-2,840 ft/s (300-270 gr)
Energy 4,713-4,835 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Moderate
Bullet diameter .375 in (9.5 mm)
Case length 2.580 in (65.5 mm)
Overall length 3.340 in (84.8 mm)
Primer type Large rifle
.338 Winchester
Caliber .338 Winchester
Bullet size 200-275 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Large Game (300-1500 lbs); Dangerous Game
Velocity 2,489-2,950 ft/s (275-200 gr)
Energy 3,784-3,866 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Heavy
Bullet diameter .338 in (8.6 mm)
Case length 2.500 in (63.5 mm)
Overall length 3.340 in (84.8 mm)
Primer type Large rifle magnum
Caliber .35 Whelen
Bullet size 180-250 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Medium-Large Game (50-1500 lbs)
Velocity 2,523-2,963 ft/s (250-180 gr)
Energy 3,510-3,535 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Moderate
Bullet diameter .358 in (9.1 mm)
Case length 2.494 in (63.3 mm)
Overall length 3.340 in (84.8 mm)
Primer type Large rifle
300 H&H
Caliber 300 H&H
Bullet size 150-220 grains
Type Rifle
Usage Medium-Large-Dangerous game (50-1500 lbs)
Velocity 2,743-3,362 ft/s (220-150 gr)
Energy 3,676-3,766 ft⋅lbf
Recoil Moderate
Bullet diameter .308 in (7.8 mm)
Case length 2.850 in (72.4 mm)
Overall length 3.600 in (91.4 mm)
Primer type large rifle magnum

 

Rimfire vs. Centerfire:
Another important distinction is between rimfire and centerfire ammunition:

Rimfire: The primer is located in the rim of the cartridge case. The firing pin crushes the rim to ignite the primer. .22LR is the most common example of a rimfire cartridge. Rimfire cartridges are generally less powerful and less expensive than centerfire.
Centerfire: The primer is a separate component located in the center of the case head. The firing pin strikes this central primer. Most handgun and rifle calibers (e.g., 9mm, .45 ACP, .223 Rem, .308 Win) are centerfire. Centerfire ammunition is typically more powerful, reliable, and reloadable.


Why So Many Choices?
The vast array of calibers exists because different shooting tasks have different requirements. A caliber ideal for quietly hunting squirrels (.22LR) is vastly different from one designed for long-range elk hunting (.300 Win Mag) or for personal defense in a compact handgun (.380 ACP or 9mm).

Factors like desired range, target size, recoil tolerance, cost of ammunition, and firearm platform all influence caliber selection.

 

Selecting the right caliber depends on your intended use. For self-defense, 9mm and .45 ACP are popular choices. For hunting, larger calibers like .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor provide the necessary power. If you're looking for a beginner-friendly option, .22 LR is a great starting point.


Understanding ammo caliber sizes ensures that you choose the right ammunition for your needs. Whether you're a casual shooter or a dedicated marksman, knowing the differences between calibers can enhance your shooting experience.

 

 

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