Just as a side note, cartridge length doesn’t mean too much for the utility of the bullet. Last, energy is an estimate of the approximate power of the round and is measured in joules (J). 5.56 bullet sizes from 53gr to 90grįor our purposes, velocity is just a fancy word for speed, measured in feet per second. A grain is just 1/20 of a gram and there are 7000 grains to a pound. You can probably figure out on your own what cartridge length and the approximate cost per round mean, so we’re just going to clarify the other three here.īullet weight is measured in a tiny unit of weight called a grain (gr). Now that we’ve covered what caliber is, let’s talk about some of the ways we compare it.įor each of the calibers discussed, we’re going to list the cartridge length, bullet weight, velocity, energy, and the approximate cost per round. Terminologyįirst, let’s talk about what exactly “caliber” even means.Ĭaliber refers to the measurement of the diameter of the bullet (the metal projectile within the cartridge or round), but it is also often informally used to refer to varieties of cartridges.Ĭaliber can be measured in either inches or millimeters, but if millimeters isn’t specified, you can generally assume it’s measured in inches. There are a LOT of calibers out there…this is only a fraction of them!īut first, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page with some vocabulary. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the most common rifle calibers.
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After all, even the newest shooter probably knows that you don’t want to hunt bears with the same round you hunt squirrels. While the seemingly unlimited options are certainly convenient, it can also feel impossible to keep up with the advantages, disadvantages, and best uses for them all. There are more calibers and cartridges on the market today than ever.