BUCKHORN CLIFFS

Security · Supply

Ammunition by caliber (.22LR to .308)

A reference to ten common calibers from .22LR to .308 with bullet weight, type, usage, velocity and energy, plus how bullet weight affects shooting.

Quick facts

.22LR
  • 30-40 grains
  • rimfire
  • varmint < 50 lbs
  • low recoil
9mm
  • 115-147 grains
  • pistol
  • personal defense
.45 ACP
  • 68-300 grains
  • pistol
  • 356-829 ft-lbf
.357 Magnum
  • 100-200 grains
  • varmint
  • medium game
  • personal defense
.308
100-240 grains, rifle, large game, 2,588-2,668 ft-lbf
AR-15 ammo
Typically a standard 55-grain bullet

When diving into the world of firearms, one of the first things you'll notice is the vast array of ammunition types. One of the primary ways to categorize ammunition is by caliber, which refers to the diameter of the bullet or the internal diameter of the firearm's barrel. In this guide, I'll cover some of the most common calibers.

Image and content concepts from: Sportsman's Warehouse

What is Caliber?

Simply put, caliber refers to the size of the bullet or the internal diameter of a firearm's barrel. It can be expressed in inches (like .45 caliber) or millimeters (like 9mm). The term can sometimes be confusing because certain cartridge names might not directly correspond to the actual bullet diameter.

Before I get into common calibers, these are my picks for the Top 10 Most Used Ammo:

  1. 9mm - Widely used for personal defense and law enforcement.
  2. .22LR - Popular for target shooting and small game hunting.
  3. .45 ACP - Commonly used in many handguns for personal defense.
  4. .308 Caliber - Versatile rifle round used for hunting and target shooting.
  5. .380 ACP - Popular for concealed carry handguns.
  6. .40 S&W - Another popular choice for personal defense and law enforcement.
  7. .357 Magnum - Known for its stopping power in revolvers.
  8. .38 Special - A classic revolver round.
  9. 44 Magnum - Powerful round used for hunting and personal defense.
  10. .22 WMR - Used for varmint hunting and personal defense.

Top 10 ammo calibers, rimfire first, then handgun, then rifle. By actual bullet diameter the order is .22LR, .22 WMR, .308, 9mm and .380 ACP (both .355), .38 Special and .357 Magnum (both .357), .40 S&W (.400), .44 Magnum (.429), .45 ACP (.451).

  1. .22LR
  2. .22 WMR
  3. 9mm
  4. .380 ACP
  5. .40 S&W
  6. .45 ACP
  7. .38 Special
  8. .357 Magnum
  9. .44 Magnum
  10. .308 Caliber

Common Calibers (smallest to largest)

For this section I'm just going from a .22LR to a .308.

  1. .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
  2. .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
  3. 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)
    • Primer type: Berdan or Boxer small pistol
  4. .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
  5. .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)
  6. .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
  7. .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
  8. .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
  9. 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
  10. .308 Caliber
    • 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

Bullet Grain and Size

  • Bullet size can differ within the same cartridge.
  • .308 rifle bullets range from about 125 to over 185 grains.
  • 9mm Luger bullets vary between 60 and 160 grains.
  • AR-15 ammo typically uses a standard 55-grain bullet.

Bullet Weight's Influence on Shooting

  • Bullet weight affects trajectory, terminal ballistics, target impact, and recoil.
  • For close-range target shooting, bullet weight is less critical.
  • Lighter bullets are generally faster and maintain a flatter trajectory.
  • Wind affects lighter bullets more than heavier ones.

Recoil and Bullet Weight

  • Recoil is a direct result of physics: every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
  • Heavier bullets usually produce more recoil.
  • Recoil is influenced by factors like firearm weight and cartridge load.
  • For target practice, lighter bullets (with less recoil) are often preferred.

Choosing Bullet Weight

  • A larger cartridge and heavier bullet deliver more energy to the target.
  • Heavier bullets tend to penetrate deeper. Expansion depends on how the bullet is built and how fast it hits, so pick a load designed for the job, not just the heaviest one.
  • In self-defense, stopping power is crucial, making heavier bullets a preferred choice.

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

What does caliber mean?

Caliber is the size of the bullet, or the internal diameter of a firearm's barrel. It is given in inches, like .45 caliber, or in millimeters, like 9mm. Some cartridge names do not match the actual bullet diameter, which is where the confusion comes from.

What are the most common ammo calibers?

My top 10 most used are 9mm, .22LR, .45 ACP, .308, .380 ACP, .40 S&W, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, 44 Magnum and .22 WMR. The 9mm leads for personal defense and law enforcement, and .22LR is popular for target shooting and small game.

What is the difference between 9mm and .45 acp?

Both are pistol rounds for personal defense, but .45 ACP covers a much wider bullet weight range, 68 to 300 grains against 115 to 147 grains for 9mm. Listed energy is 355 to 501 ft-lbf for 9mm and 356 to 829 ft-lbf for .45 ACP, with velocities of 1,180 to 2,010 ft/s and 835 to 2,036 ft/s.

What caliber is good for large game?

The .308 is the rifle round listed for large game of 300 to 1500 lbs and dangerous game, with 100 to 240 grain bullets, 2,588 to 2,668 ft-lbf of energy and moderate recoil. The 44 Magnum is also rated for large game as well as medium game of 50 to 300 lbs.

How does bullet weight affect recoil?

Heavier bullets usually produce more recoil, since every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Firearm weight and cartridge load also play a part. For target practice, lighter bullets with less recoil are often preferred.

What grain bullet should I choose for self-defense?

Pick a load designed for self-defense, not just the heaviest one. Heavier bullets tend to penetrate deeper, but expansion depends on how the bullet is built and how fast it hits. The trade-off with heavier bullets is more recoil, while lighter bullets fly faster and flatter.

Keep going

Read nextHome Security and Defense: Deter, Detect, Delay, DenyLayered home security from the property edge to the people inside: what to do when something feels wrong, what to build first, and how to store and maintain a defensive firearm.Security · Guide

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