“Blessed be the LORD my strength,
which teacheth my hands to war,
and my fingers to fight:”
(Psalms 144:1)

“YOUR ARMS RESOURCE”
CALIBERS

CALIBER DEFINITION:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/caliber
the width of the inside of a pipe, especially of the long cylinder-shaped part of a gun, or the width of a bullet

-

 thegunzone.com

https://thegunzone.com/bullet-sizes-calibers-and-types/

Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers and Types

by Norman Turner - Last updated September 3, 2020

Getting the right gun and being able to match that gun with the right bullet has never been easy. If you are just starting and you are shopping for both, you can also check more here.

Buying the right bullets for hunting was not really a complicated affair some years ago. This is because there were just a few calibers to choose from. Bullets in those days were just bullets.

Today however, things are a little different. There are a lot of sizes out there, making buying of bullets a little complicated. Newbies in the shooting world will get confused, especially because of the lingo involved in buying the right bullet size.

This is a complete bullet guide of 2020: sizes, calibers and types. Read on to make the right purchase.

Bullet Sizes and Caliber

Caliber, when it comes to guns means, the diameter of the barrel. This simply means the diameter of the bullet that will go through it. Calibers are just bullet sizes but this is not what they are called in actual sense. This is because the bullet is just the metal projectile.

The round that you fire is the cartridge and it includes the casing, powder and the primer. For a casual shooter, this is not easy to understand and one may end up buying the wrong bullet size.

There are different types of calibers, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

The Rifle Cartridge

The shooting process mainly involves the rifle and the cartridge. The rifle is very important in this case but it is the cartridge that is key to the entire process.

When buying cartridges, there is always a wide selection to choose from, depending on the exact use.

There are small calibers and there are larger ones depending on what you will be shooting at.

Rifle cartridge cutaway view

Factors to Consider When Choosing Caliber Sizes

These are some of the units and factors that will help you choose the right caliber size:

• Energy: this means the approximate power of each round

• Bullet weight: this is usually measured in grains, with 7,000 consisting of a pound. The highest level trait in this case will be the stopping power. This basically means the number of bullets it will take for you to hit the target.

• Velocity: this is the precise speed of the bullet in feet/sec

• The price point: this is the price of a single round

Common Bullet Calibers in Use Today

There are so many bullet calibers in the market today, but you are likely to meet and probably use only a few in your lifetime. Why is that so? A lot of people use their guns for the same reasons, mainly for hunting, sporting and also for self defense. Some of the commonly used bullet calibers are those that are used for the same reasons as these. Besides, the common ones are many as well, and you are highly likely going to get what fits your needs from this list.

.22LR

This is so far the most popular caliber in the market in terms of number of units that already sold. It is basically a small round that has a low recoil output for both rifles and handguns. The .22 rifle has a rimfire instead of a centerfire. This is because the firing pin is designed in such a way that it hits the rim of the case and not the center.

This type of rifle is loved for its high speed and compact size, which makes it very easy to handle. It is therefore a perfect choice for beginners who are looking for a caliber that will be easy to use. It also has the power they need to achieve their goals.

The cartridge is the best to use for firearms training, recreational shooting as well as small game hunting. It is therefore sold in bulk. Its loads come in different variants, ranging from subsonic or target rounds to high speed (about 1200 to 1310 feet) to hyper/ultra velocity (over 1400 feet).

The subsonic rounds are smaller in size and obviously slower. That is why they come fitted with extra-heavy bullets in order to make it easy for them. The bullets are usually of about 46 to 61 grain.

Generally, the caliber is meant for firing smaller targets like snakes, rats and birds. It is the best to use in target shooting. And it can however cause great damage if used on human targets; it can actually kill. The smaller of these calibers can bounce around and inside the human’s body. This can cause tearing of body organs and ligaments.

The caliber has a bullet weight of 30-40 grains. It has a velocity of 1200-1600 ft/s and energy of 140-160 Joules. Its price per point is 7 cents per round. Its low price makes it even better for starting shooters.

.30 Carbine

This type of caliber is not so common these days but it has a great history. It is for instance the caliber that was in M1 carbines during the World War 2. It was very popular until the Korean War. And it may not be in great use these days but it is the best caliber for those people who are using the M1.

The caliber was the first personal defense weapons to come to the market. The combats loved it so much as it could not interfere with their duties and tasks. The caliber is handy and light in weight too, weighing slightly above 5 pounds, with a length of 36 inches. It also had non-corrosive primers, something that could not be said by other calibers that the military used then.

Today, it is still as great. It comes with an economical plinker, which makes loading it very simple and easy. It can also be used together with fast-burning propellants. The best part is that the caliber is also able to maintain a consistent accuracy when supported with Winchester 110 grain FMJ bullets.

Its weight is 110grains, with a velocity if 2000 ft/s. Its energy is 1300 Joules and its price per point is 40 cents per round.

.25 ACP

The ACP in this case stands for Automatic Colt Pistol. This centerfire pistol caliber is semi-rimmed and straight walled. It was designed years back for the first blowback pistols that did not have a breech locking mechanism.

This caliber is a little bigger that .22 and also a little more powerful. It was designed in order to at least duplicate the performance of the .22. The truth is, there are just a few guns that can use this size of caliber. Also, it is a little more expensive.

The great benefit is that it is highly reliable especially when it comes to its center fire casings. When compared to .22 again, the .25 ACP has a slightly higher stopping power. The caliber is also short ranged and low powered. This means that it is less dangerous when used on humans.

What you get in terms of performance with the .25 ACP is a very compact gun that is light in weight.

It could be a great choice for personal home defense handguns because of its centerfire case design. This is what makes it more reliable.

.300 BLK

Simply called the Three Hundred Blackout, this is a very recent addition to the world of rifles as it came to the market just 6 years ago. Its main aim is to introduce the larger .30 caliber round to the AR platform. It is able to provide great control to most modern magazines.

The caliber is gaining so much popularity mainly because of its flexibility and power. It is for instance able to perform in so many different conditions. It can also use adjustable gas blocks to give it gain even more flexibility. Its subsonic bullet is able to over-penetrate and expand under. This is what makes the .300 BLK a shooting range firearm.

With practice, you can really load it fast. This helps a lot especially if you are in a hurry to defend yourself.

Its potential for self-defense is quite high. Its carbine brings more to the fight than just the defensive pistol. You can for instance add an AR 15 pistol in your .300 BLK to make it work even better for you.

It weighs 125 grains, with a velocity of 2200 ft/s. it has energy of 1360 Joules and a price point of 70 cents per round.

.380 ACP

For anyone that prefers bigger bullet sizes, this may be a good option to go for. Sometimes it is called the 9mm short. Its popularity has raised so much in the recent past after the coming of different pocket pistols in the market. It is loved so much by many people and above all, it is entertaining.

It generally has low recoil and when shot at a close range, it can penetrate deeply. But it is however a low power round. Considering the nature of guns that are used to shoot it, it will not benefit you much if it is not shot at close range.

But there is a catch. The .380 ACP has a great carry size. It is compact and light in weight too. It can therefore be conveniently carried wherever the user intends to use it.

When compared to some of the modern pistol cartridges, it has a less stopping power and a relatively short range.

It still remains one of the most popular self defense cartridges for shooters who prefer to use light in weight pistols with recoil they can easily manage or even a smaller pistol.

.223 or .56×45 mm

This type of round is available in both the military grade and also in civilian. It is a very accurate cartridge that is capable of shooting softly. It appears larger than the .22LR.

The round is considered inhumane; therefore hunters in some states are not allowed to use it for large game hunting. You can however use it at home to shoot at maybe garden dwelling pests and anything else.

Since it is not mainly used for hunting, this round is not really popular. It however has a long range accuracy, which makes it a safe option for people who might want to use it for self defense.

Its bullet weight is 55-62 grains and its speed is 3, 100 ft/s. It has energy of 1.770 Joules and a price per point of 30 cents per round.

9mm

It is officially known as the 9mm Luger or the 9x9mm Parabellum. This is basically a way to tell it apart from all the other 9mm rounds in use today. It is a very good round for anyone that wants to enjoy some fun while shooting at a close range. It is also great for self defense.

This is the standard bullet used in NATO countries and most of the police forces in the entire world. This is because it is mild in shooting.

This bullet is the same size as what they use in the .380 and the .38 special. The only difference is in the amount of gun powder that they use.

This caliber weight varies between 115 and 147 grains. Its stopping power varies as well, based on the type of bullet in use. That is not all.

The bullets are very affordable and they have very low recoil. They are the types of bullets that can be used in many different guns. On average, guns are able to hold about 15 or 17 of these rounds.

You can also use a 9mm gun for a concealed carry. The price is just 25 cents.

.40 S&W

This bullet type was initially designed for the FBI as a compact 10mm cartridge. It has since been very popular especially with the law enforcement agencies in the United States, Australia and Canada. At only 30 cents, you can get this powerful cartridge that has more kick than most of the popular handgun cartridges in use today especially the 9mm.

You will love it not just because it is less expensive but also because it is a light weight. Its weight varies greatly between 155 to 165 and 180 grains.

However, most FBIs still prefer the 9mm cartridge. This is because it is able to shoot more quickly and accurately when compared to the .40 S&W. However, the .40 S&W is still a better option when it comes to more manageable recoil and more energy.

It has already earned a status of the most ideal cartridge for personal defense and law enforcement after undergoing a series of tests.

.62x51mm or .308

The .308 cartridge is the civilian version of a cartridge that was used by the United States’ military, 7.62. It is however larger and better looking than the NATO round.

It costs more than most of the cartridges of its size and power though. These, together with its fierce recoil are the reason why it is not as popular as it should. However, you will love its extended range and knockdown power. These are enough to make up for its cons.

The .308 is the most preferred caliber for snipers all over the world. It has a speed of between 2,600 to 2,700 ft/s; an energy of between 3,300 and 3, 500 Joules.  Its price point is 75 cents per round and its bullet weight is between 147 and 175 grains.

.45 ACP

This particular cartridge was designed for the popular 1911 pistol.  It is one of the cartridges that have a great history. It is big in size, with a great stopping power to spare.

And it has been the greatest choice for many military people and police officers for a long time. For this reason, it has proven itself worth of consideration so many times.

What you get with the .45ACP is a large bullet of about 230grains, with very moderate recoil. It requires some skills in gun shooting though, therefore may not be the best choice for shooting beginners. One of the things that make it popular is its stopping power.

The .45 ACP is best recommended for self defense and practice. You will get it today at only 40 cents.

Those are just some of the most common calibers you will find in the market today. That’s not all; there are many others, and also those that are not really common but still good at shooting. Read on to some of the less common bullet calibers below.

Less Common Bullet Calibers

The 10mm

This is a tough caliber, therefore might be hard to handle by a lot of people. For this reason, it was downgraded to .40 S&W and then to 9mm. It is well known for its great stopping power and hard recoil.

.300 blackout

This one has been designed in order to give the excellence performance of the larger .30 caliber AK 7.62x39mm round though it was designed for the AR 15.

.357 Magnum

This is a great improvement from .38 special, which has been mainly designed for revolvers. It is popular for its great stopping power, which is the price it pays for its decent recoil. It comes at 80 cents.

.30 Carbine

This is a pretty light in weight caliber that has been used in service especially during the Korean War. Its standard bullet weighs 110 grains.

You can visit here for a guide on how to pick the right caliber for a specific application. Let us now find out the common types of bullets and the terminologies used.

Common Bullet Types

These are some of the terminologies you will come across once you start shopping for bullets:

1-OTM or Open Tip Bullets

These types of bullets usually have an opening at the top from the way they were manufactured. The openings are very small, therefore they never expand. They are made from small cups whereby the bottom part of those cups forms the bottom of the bullet.

They are called OTMs (Open Tip Matches) because they are mainly loved by long distance shooters. And they are more consistent, which makes them great when one is shooting hundreds of yards.

These types of bullets are best used for target shooting. The military can use it but the hunters are not allowed to use it because it is thought of as a hollow bullet, which expands once it hits its target.

2-Soft Point bullets

This is basically a jacketed soft point bullet that expands once it hits its target. It has a soft metal core that is enclosed by a very strong metal jacket, which is left open at the front tip.

The bullet is expected to expand once it touches a flesh. It can therefore cause a great wound, greater than even its bullet diameter.

3-FMJ or the Full Jacket Metal

This is the most popular type of bullet in the market today. It is the kind of bullet one is likely to find in most homes. It comes with a soft centre metal like lead, which is protected by a harder metal on the outside, like copper.

These types of bullets are usually round, pointy or even flat. They usually cut small channels through which they go through the target. They are good for short range shooting but are not the best to use in self defense scenarios.

One great advantage in using this type of bullet is that it is mostly surrounded by copper or another metal. This helps a lot to prevent lead from depositing itself in its barrel when you fire your gun.

4-HP or the Hollow Point bullets

These are the kinds of bullets that are designed in such a way that they expand once they hit the target. Because of their stopping power, they are mainly used by police officers. They are also ideal for those people who love a concealed carry as well as people using guns for home defense.

These types of bullets are viewed by many people as the most dangerous bullets for home defense. They are however the safest to use in case of an attack. This is because every bullet that you shoot does more damage. You are therefore able to stop an attacker quickly.

5-Ballistic Tip

This type of bullet gives you the aerodynamics of a Full Jacket metal bullet plus the stopping power of the hollow point bullet. It is basically a hollow point bullet that has been covered by plastic in order to look like the FJM.

It is mainly used for hunting.

The bullet is long with a boat tail. Much of its weight is at its rear. The bullet is sharp, with a plastic tip that is able to retain its shape for great consistency.

Bird Shots

These are types of shotgun rounds. They are basically small pellets that come in great numbers in one shell. They are perfect for hunting birds and anything else other than for home defense.

• Slugs

These are basically single rounds that consist of about 1 oz of metal each. They can really hurt. They are not really accurate but if used by a perfect shooter, they can accurately shoot at a target up to about 100 yards.

• Buck Shots

This is the best home defense round that is available today.

For more details on these, visit here

The Parts of a Caliber and Cartridge

Why does this matter? Well, for a lot of people, knowing how to load your own ammunition is important. This is because shooting can really be costly. You might end up saving some money if you learn to do some things on your own.

To start with, it will be important to understand what you are dealing with. The ammunition that one uses in their rifle or handgun is called a cartridge. There are basically two types of cartridges available today:

• The centerfire: its primer is built in its center. These types of cartridges are the most common. They can be reloaded.

• The rimfire: its primer is built into the rim. These kinds of cartridges are usually very cheap, just a few cents each. They however cannot be reloaded.

Each of these cartridges has four main parts:

• The case- this is what holds together the primer, powder and the bullet

• The primer- this is a compound that explodes once it is strung by the firing pin. It ignites the powder

• The powder- this is what burns  in order to create gas that powers the bullet to go through the bore and then out of its muzzle

• The bullet- this is part of the cartridge that hits the target

Conclusion

It is true that it can be really tough when one is choosing the right caliber of bullets for his rifle. As you can see, there is a lot that one needs to know in order to become a bullet pro. There are so many factors that one needs to consider to make the right purchase.

Fortunately, we have covered much of it. This should help anyone who has no time for gun forums or even to speak to gun enthusiast looking for advice on the kinds of bullets they need for whatever purpose.

This guide should be able to help you know the different sizes of calibers as well as the pros and cons of each for the right decision making. If you do not have a gun yet, you can visit HERE for a complete guide.