Handgun Caliber Chart

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acfemf

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As a complete newby I am wondering if anyone has a handgun pistol caliber chart or could at least list gun calibers from smallest to largest. I especially am confused with, for example, .380 vs .38 calibers and the magnum loads. Thanks for your patience with me!
 
Acfemf

The names and numbers assigned to the different cartridges don't really follow any rhyme or reason.

Generally speaking, the numerical designation of a cartridge has to due with either bullet or bore diameter. I say generally because there is all sorts of rounding numbers up and down. Then some numbers are used because they sound good.

Cartridges of the World is a great reference for rookies. Just about every small arms cartridge ever made is in it.
 
This isn't a complete list, but in general.

.17 HMR
.22 short
.22 Long Rifle (LR)
.25
.32
.357 Mag
.38 (revolver)
.380 auto/ 9mm Kurtz
.38 Super
9mm Luger/Parabellum/9X19
9X23
.40 SW
.41 Mag
.44 Mag
.45 Auto/ACP
.45 Colt (revolver)
.50 AE

That's off the top of my head. Feel free to add to the list or correct me if I'm wrong.

IMO: the big three are 9, .40, and .45
 
add this cartridges to the list:

.17hm2
.17 mach 2
4,6x30
5,6x28
.22magnum
7,62x25
8mm nambu
9x21
9x25 dillon
10mm
10mm magnum (longer 10mm)
.357sig
.38casull
.400corbon
.440corbon
.454Casull
.460S&W
.460rowland
.475linebaugh
.480Ruger
.50GI
.500 S&W
.500Linebaugh maximum
.500 Wyoming
 
Please define smallest to largest. Do you mean velocity, "knock-down", or length-width? Because a .17HMR is longer than a .45 acp, so therefore in some eyes, is bigger. A .40SW is bigger in girth than a .357 mag, but if I had only one shot, I would take the mag.

I may not be able to help with this list to a great extent, but you should at least clarify your request for the others.

Also, welcome to the sport, it is an addiction so beware!



7.62
 
Here is a chart

Not very complete I am afraid, but it gives you some comparisons.
 

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Why? A 155grain .40S&W has the same power of a 158grain .357mag.
Click to expand...

Why? Because I CAN! Handloads baby. This isn't a caliber war, but I'm sure you'll tell me a .22 is more qualified than a .454 for bear.:D
 
Why? A 155grain .40S&W has the same power of a 158grain .357mag
Click to expand...

Sure it comes close in velocity but the 357Mag has it beat in penetration. You can load or buy from DT, a 158gr. 357Mag load that does 1400+fps. The 125gr. can be pushed to 1600-1700fps. In reality most of the 155gr. 40S&W tend to be in the 1150-1180fps range and those are hot 40S&W loads, while the 158gr. 357Mag loads tend to be 1200-1220fps range plus the benefit of better penetration. These are merely standard power loads and not even on the hot side. You can even hunt deer with 158gr. 357Mag loads.
 
The "Modern Reloading [Second Edition] Richard Lee" Reloading Manual's index on page 716 lists Cartridges smallest to largest by caliber and page number for look-up. The cartridges drawings on the data pages are shown in dimensions very near to actual size. I find it a great resource for that very purpose.
 
Thanks to everybody who has weighed in so far. Specifically I was thinking in terms of caliber itself. But 7.62 brings up so many pertinent points to consider that hadn't crossed my mind as of yet. I have so much to learn... :rolleyes:
 
what the 40 S & W could have been.....

Let's NOT forget the marvelous 41 Action Express (even though everyone else has).
 
And now the chart:

2mm Colibri (Smallest available cartridge. Caliber is exactely 2.7mm)
3mm Colibri
.17HM2
.17HMR
4.25mm Liliput
.22 BB
.22 CB
.22 short
.22 long
.22 L.R
.22 L.R Stinger (Slightly longer case, hot .22 rimfire hunting load.)
.22 WRF
.22 Magnum
.22 Magnum SHOT
.22 Hornet
4.6x30mm (Mp7)
5.6x28mm (Five Seven)
.25ACP
7.62x25mm (Tokarev TT)
7.63mm Mauser
7.65mm Luger
.30 Carbine (RBH)
.32 S&W Long
.32 H&R Magnum
.32 ACP
.32-20 Winchester
8mm Nambu (Nambu pistol)
9mm Flobert
9mm Makarov
9mm Luger SHOT
9mm Luger (9x19 Para)
9x20mm Browning long
9x21
9x23 Winchester
9x25 Dillon
9mm Super comp
.357 Sig
.357 Mag
.357 Mag SHOT
.357 Maximum
.375 Super Magnum
.38 Super
.38 Super Comp
.38-40
.38 S&W
.38 Special
.38 Casull
.380 ACP (.380 Auto, 9mm Kurz)
.40 S&W
.40 Super (Triton)
.400 cor-bon
10mm Auto
10mm Magnum (longer 10mm, experimental)
.41 AE
.41 Magnum
.414 Super Magnum
.44-40 Winchester
.44 Special
.44 Magnum
.44 Auto mag
.440 cor-bon
.444 Marlin (BFR)
.445 Super Mag.
.45 ACP
.45 Super (Triton)
.45 GAP
.45 Long Colt
.45 Winchester Magnum
.450 Marlin (BFR)
.454 casull
.45-70 (BFR)
.460 XVR (S&W)
.475 Linebaugh
.475 Wildey mag.
.480 Ruger
.50 GI
.50 AE
.500 S&W ''special'' (light load)
.500 S&W
.500 Wyoming Express
.500 Linebaugh Maximum
.50 Beowulf (chambered in a special BFR)

Forgot something?
 
Last edited:
good list, moloch, but yes, you need to add .38 super, .38 super comp, .38-40, 9mm super comp, .400 corbon, .440 corbon, .45-70 govt and .450 marlin (in the BFR; since you have .50 beo), .40 triton super, .45 super/triton super, .445 supermag, and .475 Wildey magnum. (And, perhaps indicate that .380 acp is also known as .380 auto, 9mm corto, 9mm browning short, & 9mm kurz. And "10mm" is technically known as "10mm auto"). Also, does the .500 S&W magnum "light/special" loading have a name yet?
 
@ firstFreedom:
Thank you.
New calibers added to the list.:)

I've read that the .500S&W light is called .500 Special, but I dont know exactely.

Are there any other 8mm cartridges?
 
The 357, 41, 44 and the other Revolver rounds.

cje1980 Said:
Sure it comes close in velocity but the 357Mag has it beat in penetration. You can load or buy from DT, a 158gr. 357Mag load that does 1400+fps. The 125gr. can be pushed to 1600-1700fps. In reality most of the 155gr. 40S&W tend to be in the 1150-1180fps range and those are hot 40S&W loads, while the 158gr. 357Mag loads tend to be 1200-1220fps range plus the benefit of better penetration. These are merely standard power loads and not even on the hot side. You can even hunt deer with 158gr. 357Mag loads.

HQ say's
The loads for the revolver are usually out of a longer barrel and are more potent.

If you have the same velocity and # of grains of bullet weight, you are talking apples and apples. Vary or change and now you are talking apples and oranges.

Revolver's are like bolt action's in rifles. Semi autos are just that. Different in respects to the ability of power and higher pressures.

I like the Revolvers and I like the Autos, some are better for some jobs and some are not as good. It comes down to preference, bullet placement.
Simple as that. (equal in all way's)

I was talking to a guy at the range and said his 50 AE Desert Eagle did not kick like my 44 cal SBH, one of the reasons he went to the DE, more power and less recoil.

The Wildly is one of the better Semi autos you can dial um in.

Roy Reali, lets go shooting again.

HQ
 
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