I tried to give a range of ballistics to provide an overall picture of a cartridge's performance and capabilities. These data are thus more useful for comparing one cartridge to another than they are for comparing an individual weapon or load to an ideal. This is why shotgun loads are included in such weird units (i.e. grains instead of ounces). Handloads and exotic projectiles can make nearly any cartridge look like a small artillery piece; for this reason, only loads using unitary (not pre-fragmented) ammunition were included when determining "most energetic loading".
Certain Ammunition is labeled as +P or +P+. This ammunition is identical to the regular ammo except it is loaded to a higher pressure that recommended. +P and +P+ ammo can be loaded into any weapon that takes that size ammo (if the weapon is in good condition). The brass is usually damaged by the overpressure rounds and should not be reloaded.
MUZZLE ENERGY FORMULA
Velocity (in F.P.S.) x Velocity x Bullet Weight (in grains) divided by 450,240
|
Rimfire Cartridges |
Typical Bullet Weight |
Lowest Reported Muzzle Energy |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
grains |
foot-pounds |
Bullet Weight, grains |
Muzzle Velocity, feet per second |
Muzzle Energy, foot-pounds | |
|
.22 BB Cap |
18 |
20 |
20 |
780 |
26 |
|
.22 CB Cap |
29 |
33 |
30 |
725 |
34 |
|
.22 Short |
29 |
32 |
15 |
1710 |
97 |
|
.22 Long |
29 |
32 |
29 |
1240 |
99 |
|
.22 Long Rifle (2" bbl) |
40 |
65 |
40 |
890 |
70 |
|
.22 Long Rifle (6" bbl) |
93 |
40 |
1060 |
100 | |
|
.22 Long Rifle (22.5" bbl) |
100 |
40 |
1255 |
140 | |
|
.22 Stinger |
33 |
1410 |
32 |
1640 |
191 |
|
.22 WRF |
45 |
1050 |
45 |
1450 |
209 |
|
.22 WMR (2" bbl) |
40 |
70 |
30 |
1238 |
102 |
|
.22 WMR (6" bbl) |
- |
40 |
1428 |
181 | |
|
.22 WMR (22.5" bbl) |
300 |
40 |
1910 |
324 | |
|
10.4x38Rmm Swiss Vetterli |
- |
- |
334 |
1345 |
1330 |
|
44 Henry Flat |
- |
- |
200 |
1125 |
568 |
|
Centerfire Handgun Cartridges under 9mm |
Actual Bullet Diameter |
Typical Bullet Weight |
Lowest Reported Muzzle Energy |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
inches |
grains |
foot-pounds |
Bullet Weight, grains |
Muzzle Velocity, feet per second |
Muzzle Energy, foot-pounds | |
|
2.7mm Kolibri Auto |
0.107 |
- |
2.8 |
3 |
700 |
3.25 |
|
5.45mm USSR |
0.21 |
40 |
- |
40 |
1034 |
95 |
|
5.7x28mm P90 |
- |
23 |
- |
23 |
2790 |
400 |
|
.22 Rem. Jet |
0.223 |
40 |
288 |
40 |
2460 |
535 |
|
.221 Rem. Fireball |
0.224 |
50 |
704 |
50 |
2650 |
780 |
|
.25 ACP |
0.251 |
50 |
64 |
50 |
810 |
73 |
|
7mm Nambu |
0.280 |
112 |
56 |
1250 |
196 | |
|
7.65mm Long |
0.309 |
77 |
206 |
85 |
1120 |
240 |
|
.32 S&W |
0.31 |
85 |
90 |
98 |
705 |
115 |
|
.32 Short Colt |
0.313-0.317 |
80 |
54 |
80 |
745 |
100 |
|
.32 Long Colt |
0.312 |
80 |
94 |
82 |
755 |
104 |
|
.32 S&W Long |
0.312 |
98 |
96 |
98 |
780 |
132 |
|
.32 ACP |
0.31 |
71 |
100 |
71 |
905 |
129 |
|
.32 H&R Mag |
0.312 |
90 |
145 |
85 |
1100 |
230 |
|
7.62mm Nagant |
0.295 |
108 |
122 |
108 |
1100 |
290 |
|
7.65mm Luger |
0.309 |
93 |
257 |
100 |
1210 |
325 |
|
7.62mm Tokarev |
0.307 |
87 |
- |
87 |
1390 |
365 |
|
7.63mm Mauser |
0.308 |
86 |
257 |
86 |
1410 |
375 |
|
8mm Japanese |
0.32 |
83 |
165 |
102 |
960 |
202 |
|
8mm French Ordnance |
0.323 |
102 |
104 |
115 |
700 |
126 |
|
>Centerfire Handgun Cartridges 9mm and above |
Actual Bullet Diameter |
Typical Bullet Weight |
Lowest Factory Reported Muzzle Energy |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
inches |
grains |
foot-pounds |
Bullet Weight, grains |
Muzzle Velocity, feet per second |
Muzzle Energy, foot-pounds | |
|
9mm Browning Long |
0.355 |
95 |
192 |
110 |
1100 |
300 |
|
.38 Short Colt |
0.357 |
125 |
150 |
130 |
770 |
171 |
|
.38 Long Colt |
0.357 |
150 |
- |
150 |
770 |
195 |
|
.38 S&W |
0.359 |
158 |
150 |
200 |
630 |
176 |
|
.380 ACP |
0.355 |
88 |
162 |
90 |
1000 |
200 |
|
9mm Makarov |
0.363 |
95 |
173 |
95 |
1060 |
237 |
|
.38 Special |
0.357 |
130 |
165 |
110 |
945 |
220 |
|
.38 Special +P |
0.357 |
140 |
240 |
125 |
1000 |
277 |
|
.38 Special +P+ |
0.357 |
110 |
300 |
110 |
1200 |
352 |
|
.38 Colt Auto |
0.356 |
125 |
312 |
115 |
1150 |
338 |
|
9mm Glisenti |
0.355 |
124 |
308 |
123 |
1070 |
350 |
|
9mm Parabellum |
0.356 |
124 |
270 |
124 |
1150 |
396 |
|
9mm Para +P |
0.356 |
115 |
384 |
115 |
1275 |
415 |
|
9mm Para +P+ |
0.356 |
115 |
410 |
115 |
1310 |
439 |
|
.38 Super |
0.356 |
125 |
368 |
125 |
1150 |
500 |
|
9x21mm |
0.356 |
124 |
340 |
124 |
1335 |
490 |
|
9mm Bergmann Bayard |
0.354 |
124 |
- |
124 |
1190 |
390 |
|
.357 SIG |
0.355 |
125 |
445 |
124 |
1400 |
544 |
|
.356 TSW |
- |
135 |
485 |
115 |
1520 |
593 |
|
9x23mm Win |
0.356 |
- |
- |
125 |
1450 |
583 |
|
9mm Win Mag |
0.355 |
115 |
- |
115 |
1475 |
556 |
|
.357 Magnum |
0.357 |
140 |
400 |
125 |
1450 |
583 |
|
.357 Maximum |
0.357 |
158 |
676 |
158 |
1825 |
1168 |
|
.40 S&W |
0.4 |
155 |
363 |
135 |
1324 |
524 |
|
10mm Auto subsonic |
0.4 |
180 |
361 |
180 |
950 |
361 |
|
10mm Auto |
0.4 |
180 |
425 |
180 |
1320 |
696 |
|
.400 Cor-Bon |
0.4 |
150 |
385 |
135 |
1400 |
588 |
|
.41 Action Express |
0.41 |
180 |
378 |
170 |
1100 |
457 |
|
.41 Magnum |
0.41 |
210 |
434 |
210 |
1300 |
788 |
|
.44-40 |
0.427 |
205 |
545 |
200 |
1125 |
560 |
|
.44 Russian |
0.429 |
246 |
265 |
246 |
770 |
324 |
|
.44 Special |
0.43 |
240 |
284 |
200 |
1035 |
476 |
|
.44 Magnum |
0.43 |
240 |
533 |
200 |
1600 |
1209 |
|
.44 Auto Mag |
0.429 |
200 |
972 |
240 |
1450 |
1120 |
|
.440 Cor-Bon |
0.43 |
260 |
1440 |
240 |
2045 |
2230 |
|
.455 Webley & Scott |
0.455 |
224 |
247 |
200 |
775 |
265 |
|
.45 ACP |
0.452 |
200 |
245 |
200 |
975 |
421 |
|
.45 ACP +P |
0.452 |
185 |
494 |
165 |
1250 |
573 |
|
.45 GAP |
0.452 |
230 |
369 |
160 |
1075 |
411 |
|
.45 Super |
0.452 |
230 |
674 |
185 |
1335 |
732 |
|
.45 Colt |
0.452 |
240 |
355 |
200 |
1100 |
537 |
|
.455 Revolver Mk II |
0.455 |
260 |
213 |
262 |
700 |
285 |
|
.45 Win Mag |
0.451 |
230 |
999 |
185 |
1850 |
1406 |
|
.445 Supermag |
0.432 |
240 |
1045 |
300 |
1350 |
1215 |
|
.454 Casull |
0.452 |
260 |
1220 |
240 |
1916 |
1955 |
|
.460 Rowland |
- |
- |
- |
230 |
1625 |
931 |
|
.50 Action Express |
0.5 |
325 |
1227 |
300 |
1579 |
1661 |
|
.500 S&W Special |
0.5 |
275 |
1113 |
350 |
1350 |
1417 |
|
.500 S&W Magnum |
0.5 |
325 |
2338 |
440 |
1625 |
2580 |
|
Centerfire Rifle Cartridges up to 8mm |
Actual Bullet Diameter |
Typical Bullet Weight |
Lowest Reported Muzzle Energy |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
inches |
grains |
foot-pounds |
Bullet Weight, grains |
Muzzle Velocity, feet per second |
Muzzle Energy, foot-pounds | |
|
.17 Rem |
0.172 |
25 |
801 |
25 |
4040 |
906 |
|
4.73mm Caseless |
- |
49 |
- |
49 |
3050 |
1021 |
|
5mm Experimental |
- |
45 |
- |
45 |
3100 |
955 |
|
5.45mm M1974 USSR |
0.221 |
52 |
1016 |
54 |
2950 |
1045 |
|
.22 Hornet |
0.223 |
50 |
640 |
45 |
2500 |
723 |
|
.222 Rem |
0.224 |
50 |
960 |
55 |
3200 |
1174 |
|
.223 Rem |
0.224 |
62 |
965 |
80 |
2869 |
1460 |
|
.22-250 |
0.224 |
55 |
1224 |
70 |
3300 |
1690 |
|
6mm PPC |
0.243 |
70 |
1365 |
90 |
3000 |
1799 |
|
6mm-223 |
0.243 |
70 |
1295 |
75 |
2900 |
1400 |
|
.243 Win |
0.243 |
95 |
1599 |
105 |
3100 |
2133 |
|
6.5mm Dutch |
0.263 |
156 |
1590 |
140 |
2550 |
2360 |
|
6.5mm Arisaka |
0.252 |
140 |
1460 |
120 |
3000 |
2400 |
|
6.5mm Mauser |
0.264 |
120 |
1814 |
160 |
2600 |
2402 |
|
6.5mm Italian |
0.265 |
156 |
1570 |
139 |
2580 |
2045 |
|
.270 Win |
0.277 |
150 |
2449 |
160 |
2800 |
2786 |
|
.270 Weatherby Mag. |
0.277 |
160 |
3198 |
130 |
3490 |
3516 |
|
7mm Mauser |
0.284 |
142 |
2199 |
154 |
2690 |
2475 |
|
7mm Remington Ultra Mag. |
0.284 |
140 |
3489 |
160 |
3260 |
3777 |
|
7mm Weatherby Mag. |
0.284 |
140 |
3365 |
154 |
3225 |
3557 |
|
30-40 Krag |
0.308 |
220 |
- |
220 |
2200 |
2365 |
|
7.5mm French |
0.307 |
150 |
2100 |
180 |
2590 |
2692 |
|
7.5mm Swiss |
0.308 |
165 |
2430 |
180 |
2650 |
2805 |
|
M52 |
0.31 |
132 |
- |
130 |
2440 |
- |
|
.30 US Carbine |
0.308 |
110 |
845 |
100 |
2200 |
1075 |
|
300 Whisper |
0.308 |
220 |
1375 |
125 |
2283 |
1445 |
|
Standard M1943 USSR |
0.311 |
122 |
1445 |
125 |
2400 |
1599 |
|
.30-30 |
0.308 |
150 |
1394 |
150 |
2390 |
1902 |
|
7.62mm NATO |
0.308 |
150 |
2180 |
168 |
2680 |
2680 |
|
.30-06 |
0.308 |
180 |
2033 |
190 |
2700 |
3076 |
|
Type 54R USSR |
0.31 |
180 |
2620 |
185 |
2660 |
2910 |
|
.300 Win Mag |
0.308 |
165 |
3054 |
190 |
3150 |
4187 |
|
.300 Weatherby Mag |
0.308 |
180 |
3066 |
165 |
3450 |
4360 |
|
7.65mm Argentine Mauser |
0.31 |
174 |
2150 |
150 |
2920 |
2841 |
|
7.7mm Rimless Japanese |
0.31 |
182 |
2237 |
130 |
2950 |
2510 |
|
0.303 British |
0.311 |
180 |
1919 |
180 |
2460 |
2420 |
|
7.92mm Intermediate |
.323 |
120 |
1193 |
125 |
2310 |
1485 |
|
7.92mm Mauser |
0.323 |
150 |
2100 |
198 |
2625 |
3031 |
|
7.92mm Patrone 318 |
0.323 |
- |
7806 |
223 |
4150 |
8530 |
|
8mm Austrian |
0.323 |
244 |
2102 |
196 |
2310 |
2320 |
|
8mm Lebel |
0.328 |
198 |
2481 |
198 |
2450 |
2645 |
|
8mm M31 |
0.33 |
198 |
2358 |
206 |
2300 |
2420 |
|
Centerfire Rifle Cartridges over 8mm |
Actual Bullet Diameter |
Typical Bullet Weight |
Lowest Reported Muzzle Energy |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
inches |
grains |
foot-pounds |
Bullet Weight, grains |
Muzzle Velocity, feet per second |
Muzzle Energy, foot-pounds | |
|
.338 Win Mag |
0.338 |
225 |
3518 |
300 |
2500 |
4164 |
|
.338 Win Ultra Mag. |
0.338 |
185 |
4474 |
225 |
3050 |
4648 |
|
.338 Lapua |
0.338 |
225 |
4496 |
210 |
3250 |
4924 |
|
.35 Remington |
0.358 |
158 |
1599 |
140 |
2500 |
1943 |
|
9.3x74mmR |
.365 |
258 |
3172 |
232 |
2630 |
3535 |
|
.375 Win |
0.375 |
235 |
1955 |
220 |
2200 |
2365 |
|
.375 H&H Mag |
0.375 |
270 |
2585 |
235 |
3000 |
4697 |
|
.375 Weatherby Mag. |
0.375 |
300 |
4857 |
250 |
2975 |
4914 |
|
.378 Weatherby Mag |
0.375 |
270 |
5165 |
270 |
3180 |
6062 |
|
.38-40 |
0.4 |
180 |
444 |
180 |
1160 |
538 |
|
.416 Rigby |
0.416 |
350 |
5115 |
325 |
2900 |
6071 |
|
.416 Weatherby Mag |
0.416 |
350 |
6447 |
400 |
2700 |
6476 |
|
11mm Vickers |
0.445 |
385 |
1635 |
386 |
1493 |
1903 |
|
.444 Marlin |
0.429 |
240 |
2499 |
275 |
2250 |
3092 |
|
577/450 Martini Henry |
0.455 |
480 |
1730 |
500 |
1320 |
1939 |
|
.45-70 Gov |
0.458 |
300 |
1306 |
400 |
1900 |
3207 |
|
.458 Win Mag |
0.458 |
400 |
2938 |
500 |
2350 |
6133 |
|
.460 Weatherby Mag |
0.458 |
500 |
5997 |
500 |
2650 |
7799 |
|
12.7 x 80SR |
- |
- |
- |
580 |
2539 |
8304 |
|
12.7mm USSR |
0.511 |
- |
- |
788 |
2822 |
13,938 |
|
.50 Match |
0.511 |
- |
- |
630 |
2913 |
11,863 |
|
.50 BMG |
0.511 |
720 |
12,565 |
660 |
3080 |
13,910 |
|
13mm T.u.F. |
- |
- |
11,563 |
795 |
3000 |
15,892 |
|
13.2mm Breda |
- |
- |
- |
791 |
2211 |
8588 |
|
13.2mm Hotchkiss |
- |
805 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
.55 Boys |
- |
- |
13,729 |
735 |
3250 |
17,242 |
|
14.5mm B-32 |
- |
- |
- |
979 |
3320 |
23,967 |
|
.577 Snider |
.570 |
476 |
360 (600 fps from Howdah pistol) |
450 |
1300 |
1690 |
|
.577 Tyrannosaur |
.585 |
750 |
9550 |
750 |
2480 |
10,240 |
|
585 Nyati |
.585 |
650 |
3255 |
750 |
2525 |
10,620 |
|
15mm Besa |
- |
- |
18,782 |
1160 |
2900 |
21,668 |
|
.600 Nitro Express |
.620 |
900 |
- |
900 |
1950 |
7596 |
|
Cannon Cartridges over 13mm |
Typical Bullet Weight |
Lowest Reported Muzzle Energy |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
grains |
foot-pounds |
Bullet Weight, grains |
Muzzle Velocity, feet per second |
Muzzle Energy, foot-pounds | |
|
13mm T.u.F. |
- |
11,563 |
795 |
3000 |
15,892 |
|
13.2mm Breda |
- |
- |
791 |
2211 |
8588 |
|
13.2mm Hotchkiss |
805 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
.55 Boys |
- |
13,729 |
735 |
3250 |
17,242 |
|
14.5mm B-32 |
- |
- |
979 |
3320 |
23,967 |
|
15mm Besa |
- |
18,782 |
1160 |
2900 |
21,668 |
|
20x72mm Short Oerlikon |
2222 |
- |
2191 |
1820 |
16129 |
|
20x82mm |
1775 |
- |
1420 |
2624 |
21711 |
|
20x99mmR Soviet |
- |
- |
1481 |
2624 |
22655 |
|
20x101mm Oerlikon rebated |
2191 |
- |
2222 |
2460 |
29868 |
|
20mm M50 |
- |
- |
1559 |
3380 |
39558 |
|
20x105mmB Short Solothurn |
- |
- |
2068 |
2499 |
28690 |
|
20x110mm Hispano |
- |
- |
2006 |
2886 |
37122 |
|
20x125mm Japanese ATR |
- |
- |
2531 |
2690 |
40662 |
|
20x138mmB Long Solothurn |
- |
- |
1836 |
2952 |
35543 |
|
20x139mm Vektor |
- |
- |
- |
3444 |
|
|
Shotgun Shells |
Bore Diameter |
Typical Shot Load |
| |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
inches |
ounces |
|
Shot Load, grains |
Muzzle Velocity, feet per second |
Muzzle Energy, foot-pounds | |
|
9mm Flobert rimfire 1.75" |
0.354 |
1/4 |
#6 through #9 lead |
109 |
600 |
87 |
|
410 2.5" |
0.41 |
1/2 |
high velocity birdshot |
218 |
1245 |
750 |
|
410 3" |
0.41 |
11/16 |
high velocity shot |
300 |
1135 |
860 |
|
32 gauge 2.5" |
0.526 |
1/2 |
#6 and #8 lead |
219 |
1260 |
771 |
|
28-gauge 2.75" |
0.550 |
3/4 |
high velocity shot |
437 |
1125 |
1229 |
|
24 gauge 2.5" |
0.580 |
11/16 |
#5 through #8 lead |
300 |
1280 |
1095 |
|
20-gauge 2.75"" |
0.615 |
7/8 |
3/4 oz. rifled slug |
328 |
1570 |
1796 |
|
20-gauge 3" |
0.615 |
1 1/4 |
turkey load |
546 |
1200 |
1749 |
|
16-gauge 2.75" |
0.662 |
1 1/8 |
magnum birdshot |
546 |
1260 |
1928 |
|
12-gauge 2.75" |
0.729 |
1 1/8 |
1.25 oz. rifled slug |
546 |
1520 |
2806 |
|
12-gauge 3" |
0.729 |
1 7/8 |
1.25 oz. rifled slug |
546 |
1600 |
3109 |
|
12-gauge 3" Milspec Heavy Case |
0.729 |
1 1/4 |
buckshot |
560 |
1601 |
3188 |
|
12-gauge 3 1/8" Milspec |
0.729 |
11/16 |
flechettes |
292 |
1948 |
2461 |
|
12-gauge 3.5" |
0.729 |
2 1/4 |
premium birdshot |
984 |
1150 |
2891 |
|
10-gauge 3.5" |
0.775 |
1 3/4 |
premium/duplex birdshot |
984 |
1205 |
3173 |