Some studies attribute falling down or “knock down” to solely psychological re… Or an expert shooter looking for a new firearm. And we can’t dismiss the merits of the .380 ACP — it deserves some kind of recognition if only for the fact that some of the smallest handguns on the market are chambered for it (if you need more info you can check out this thread). You’ve been warned. As a general rule, stay away from these loadings. This is an excellent caliber! In the coming years will most likely see a resurgence in its popularity! Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of revolvers on the market today that can shoot this potent round. As far as muzzle energy, the .40 Super is the top dog, but availability issues have been hounding this cartridge since the company that manufactured it went out of business. Compounding the fact, it is very difficult to control in a lightweight polymer pistol. Yes, it is THE most powerful production revolver which also makes it THE most powerful production handgun in the whole world, and Smith and Wesson wouldn’t make such a grand claim if their 50-caliber revolver chambers anything that isn’t the most powerful 50-caliber round on the market, the .500 S&W Magnum. Not that this is a high-performance cartridge anyway! At one point the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world. The FBI found themselves grossly outgunned and needed to upgrade their pistols. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'gunnewsdaily_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',112,'0','0'])); To make the comparisons easier, we’re categorizing handgun calibers based on their launching platforms i.e. Where it says “the width of a bullet”, I think we can all pretty much agree again that it’s a bullet’s cylindrical portion the dictionary was referring to — but it didn’t make a clear distinction as to which portion of the bullet the “caliber” is a measure of. If there is any it will be expensive. The "cartridge" is the overall name of the ammunition. Make sure you know exactly whether it is suitable for your gun by consulting the people who made it. Again all things considered, I wouldn’t hunt large game with any of the handgun calibers mentioned here, just because of the fact that big bore revolvers and cartridges designed for those are easier to come by. This is one of the most beloved self-defense cartridges of all time and continues to be one of the most effective CCW calibers in existence. The difference is that small game is eaten while the varmints are not. Isn’t that also part of the caliber? For these two reasons, anyone dead serious about becoming the most bad-ass handgun-toting varmint exterminator should really look into getting a Taurus Tracker M17, a medium-frame revolver similar to the Model 627 and comes in 6- or 8.5-inch heavy barrel. LoadData.com is a powerful search engine that allows you to search an ever-expanding database of loads. Yes, the +P loads are powerful, but they’re also the most expensive revolver cartridge on our list. Well, it’s because of its popularity, due to the fact that it’s a proven manstopper and there are a huge lot of revolvers manufactured to chamber it. My top 5 calibers for self-defense are 380, 12 gauge, 9mm, 40 cal, and 357 mag. This is a hotly-debated subject and there must be recognition that some who have been hit may fall down for a variety of reasons. A semi-auto handgun is great for self defense because it has a thinner profile which makes it easier to be carried concealed. Plan on having, parts like recoil springs and extractors need to be replaced more often than with other cartridges because of the higher pressure this round operates at. But there’s a catch — these new fluted bullet designs can be really expensive. The .17 HMR bullet flying out of a revolver barrel at 2,350 feet per second is the fastest of all varmint calibers. Almost all handguns and revolvers come with either adjustable or fixed iron sights. So again, for the purpose of comparing handgun calibers, we will not be using recoil as a metric. Weights of about 240 grains are most common, with the 185gr being the most effective for CCW. It is already quiet, due to its low velocity. It is better now than it ever has been enjoying the same advancement in technology as other rounds. This round is more expensive the 9mm and has more recoil and fewer rounds in the magazine. Smaller 9 mm and .40 S&W guns are much more prolific, not to mention cheaper. Up to 50 pounds. This is a smoking round that offers a 50% ballistic advantage over a .45 ACP. The graph below shows, again, that the venerable .357 Magnum being one of the cheapest revolver calibers on the market today is the go-to round for when you want to hunt deer and you don’t have a lot of buck to spend (pun not intended). 40 S&W . This comparison guide should help you as you look to buy your next handgun! Granted, a smaller and lighter revolver will have significantly more recoil than a bigger and heavier one, but when you’re only a few meters away from a charging bear, recoil shouldn’t be an issue no matter how recoil shy you are because you’ll get high on adrenaline. To make the comparisons simpler, we decided not to include any revolver cartridges in this list. Handgun calibers for hunting will be further divided into three sub-categories: varmint, medium game, and large game. “Caliber” is a word people often use and misuse when talking about guns. Stay away from the small "mouse gun" calibers like .22 Long Rifle, .25 ACP, and .32 ACP. Sounds pretty straightforward, but accuracy also depends on a lot of other variables outside of the shooter’s marksmanship skills. The .440 Cor-Bon dwarfs all the other big-bore semi-auto handgun calibers on this list when it comes to sheer power and speed. As with semi-auto plinking calibers, we only want to consider price when shopping around for revolver plinking rounds. This is a relatively obscure around, and you’ll notice if you had to your local big-box store to find ammo. You can use this gun for everything from cowboy action shooting, to hunting, to a powerful everyday carry gun. You might be surprised at how little you know about this often used term. I can agree with the first definition, but being a firearms enthusiast, I think the second one has some inaccuracies.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'gunnewsdaily_com-box-3','ezslot_13',116,'0','0'])); Where it says “the long cylinder-shaped part of a gun”, I think we can all pretty much agree that it’s a gun’s barrel they were referring to, specifically the measurement of the bore. But let’s not belabor that point. Guns chambered in this round are exceptionally common. Again, not surprising considering how and why the round was developed. If you don’t already happen to own one of these .357 Maximum revolvers, then you’ll have to move up in the caliber spectrum. In my opinion, the best bullet caliber sizes are the .357 Magnum and the .38 Special. Cons: Hard on guns. With suppressors becoming more and more common this subsonic handgun round is a dream to suppress. I don’t like messing with bullets so I have no personal experience with spoon tips. If you want the latest and quite possibly the greatest for CCW, consider the .22 TCM. Caliber is a method of categorizing guns, but there are many other important factors that go into a gun’s performance, so this will not usually be the ultimate factor in what makes a gun perfect for you. Those large guns that were custom-built for 10mm. I know what you’re thinking. But the thicker revolver frame can withstand more punishment from the most powerful cartridges. They’re chambered for 25 ACP, 22 LR, 22 WMR, and 380 ACP, which are all small cartridges with relatively lightweight bullets and propellant charges. If you’re revolver lover, this is the Holy Grail. For just $1.60 a pop, .44 Magnum rounds will be your minimum bet if you want a powerful handgun for grizzly bear. The last complication with the .357 sig is cost. After all, it gives us another reason to go shooting! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The ammunition isn’t very expensive, and every .357 Magnum revolver will also shoot .38 special. It was designed in order to at least duplicate the performance of the .22. The type of sights on a firearm also have a direct influence on accuracy. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. And looking at the ballistic performance graph below, the hottest .357 Magnum hunting loads are almost in the same energy category as the .41 Magnum, another magnum round that fills the gap between the .357 and the .44 magnums. Bullet Ballistics & Charts. It is a 9mm sized bullet that has been fitted to a case very similar to the .40 S&W. Pros: Great performance on targets and in hard barriers. Only the 10 mm comes close to the performance of a full-sized .357 Magnum cartridge in a semi-automatic pistol. Most of the time if there’s no overt “mm” at the end, it’s in inches. This file is listed in order first by caliber, and then within that by manufacturer, and then within that by bullet weight. There are a ton of handgun calibers available out there. While in general, revolvers can only accept rimmed cartridges, some revolvers have a cylinder recess for moon clips out of the box, and moon clips allow for rimless cartridges to be chambered in appropriate-caliber revolvers. Again, cheaper ammo means more practice, and more practice means more venison on the table for less. If you don’t mind spending more, consider the S&W 629 Performance Center Stealth Hunter model. Coonan, LAR Grizzly and Desert Eagle in .357 Magnum and some Wildeys, AutoMags and again the Desert Eagle chambered in .44 Magnum). It doesn’t penetrate as well because of its moderate velocity. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'gunnewsdaily_com-leader-4','ezslot_14',125,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'gunnewsdaily_com-leader-4','ezslot_15',125,'0','1'])); The 9×25 Dillon takes the lead in the velocity department (highest orange bar, third from left) when comparing semi-auto handgun calibers intended for hunting medium game, which is not surprising — it’s like the .357 SIG on steroids. Plus the simple fact, the heavy steel frame guns that are common for this caliber are very difficult to conceal. This shouldn’t really come as a surprise. At first, they tried lightning the power of each load but the guns were still bulky and not enough officers could shoot them well. Reflex sights and red dot sights are great for faster target acquisition but are expensive. In this article, we aim to give you a comprehensive guide on handgun calibers. Historically, pistol rounds have been watered down because at full power they’re difficult to control. This is the most versatile handgun cartridge in existence. 00 (“double-aught”) is the go-to load. While often referred to as the “.44 Magnum of the semi-auto world” it is much more on par with the .357 Magnum. This is an All-American handgun round. The graph below compares them on per-round cost. Gas-operated semi-automatic actions reduce apparent recoil by spreading it over a longer period of time. Pros: Very common round. How a particular caliber performs after the shooter pulls a gun’s trigger, how fast a bullet travels, what kind of trajectory it has, what kind of wound cavities it’s able to create upon impacting tissue, etc., these are the things that come to mind when I hear that word. Pros: Exceptionally versatile. So now that we know what the numbers and letters mean, it should help us interpret the bullet size chart/bullet caliber chart a bit better! This gave a slight increase in recoil. A truely superb caliber has been forgotten since I purchased it as my first revolver. I listed 380 because it’s a light and easy-to-handle smaller-bodied pistol ideal for most people. Snappy recoil without much gain in terminal performance. Especially relevant, these are the most common that you will hear discussed in gun shops and see on store shelves. With modern bullet designs, this is a proven man stopper. Dirty & unreliable ammo. Common Handgun Calibers The above picture shows nine different handgun calibers with the shortest ammunition on the left and the longest ammunition on the right. The .22 LR is still the undisputed king of plinking rounds at $0.09 a pop.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'gunnewsdaily_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',127,'0','0'])); It doesn’t matter if you’re into semi-autos or revolvers, you really have to have a gun chambered in .22 LR if you want extended hours of plinking fun. Neither is the rimfire ignition. This is why I decided not to include the .357 Magnum in our list of large game revolver calibers. Also, for their intended purpose, as a last-ditch effort in an emergency. semi-auto handguns and revolvers; and on their intended purpose: whether they’re only for plinking, self defense, hunting or combinations thereof. The only thing that should concern anyone when choosing a semi-auto handgun caliber just for plinking is price. It takes into consideration the length, diameter, and all other specifications of the round. Many believe there is no such thing as a “man stopper” or a handgun caliber for concealed carry that is capable of a “one-shot stop.” Technically, there is no handgun cartridge with the capability to “knock down” a person. *A note on .40 S&W +P and +P+ ammo: it doesn’t exist. The only area this cartridge shines in is the suppressor. .22 caliber, 9mm & .40 caliber / Photo by Silvester. Cartridge Name Bullet Diameter Case Length Cartridge Length Type; 2.34 mm rimfire.092 in (2.3 mm).240 in (6.1 mm)-Rimmed, rimfire: 2.7 mm Kolibri.107 in (2.7 mm).370 in (9.4 mm).430 in (10.9 mm) Rimless: 3 mm Kolibri.120 in (3.0 mm).320 in (8.1 mm).430 in (10.9 mm) Rimless : 4.25 mm Liliput (4.25 mm Erika).167 in (4.2 mm).410 in (10.4 mm).560 in (14.2 … All the handgun data cones first, followed by all the rifle entries. If you want more velocity, upgrade to a 10 mm or switch to revolver cartridges. That is 17 out of the 52 handgun calibers on our list which comprises the majority of semi-auto cartridges in this analysis. In its time, it was the most reliable man stop are available. Why is that? And lastly, barrel rifling stabilizes a bullet by making it spin as it exits the barrel.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'gunnewsdaily_com-box-4','ezslot_5',113,'0','0'])); Not to complicate this topic, but there are two types of barrel rifling — lands-and-grooves and polygonal, and the number of rifling grooves (in the case of the former) or rifling surfaces (in the case of the latter) affects how fast a bullet would spin, thereby also affecting accuracy. The XVR stands for “extreme velocity revolver” and uses the .460 S&W Magnum cartridge, its claim to fame being the fastest .45 caliber bullet on the market. That performance doesn’t come free. The cheaper the ammo, the more bang for your buck (literally). Men have used this cartridge on everything from jackrabbits to elephants. If you don’t already have a .40 Super handgun, don’t bother buying one. Expect to pay double to triple what you would for other common handgun calibers. It can be measured in both inches and millimeters (mm). Keep in mind, fast follow-up shots are nearly impossible with this gun. Pros: Cheap! When selecting a caliber for a self-defense handgun the following variables are the ones that should be considered: Accuracy: The caliber must be one that you can shoot comfortably and accurately. Not to say this is a useless cartridge, quite the contrary. Plus, a rough overview of the best handgun rounds on the market. However, it is overkill for CCW. That is, the range is 0 to 300 yards (= 0 to 275 metres) and the sighting range is +2 to -6 inches (+50mm to -150mm). 380. Great for hunting birds and blasting clay pigeons, but not the best for home defense. Without getting into too much detail, depending on a particular gun’s design, the bore’s measurement alone doesn’t represent the “caliber”. The .38 Special standard pressure round will be cheaper but except for a very few misfits who carry old alloy revolvers, the majority of handgunners consider it pointless. However, it is bulky and takes up more space in a magazine leading the last rounds. A feat almost no other caliber can do off-the-shelf. In the barrel length is common for handguns there just isn’t enough time for the powder to burn to get enough performance out of the cartridge. This is as good as handguns get! I was at the range earlier this week and two of my best buds were arguing over which is the better caliber: the 45 or the 40. More cartridges of 9 mm ammunition are produced, sold, and fired than almost every other caliber in existence. Some revolver enthusiasts have their revolver’s cylinder reamed by competent gunsmiths to allow for moon clips. Ergo accuracy as a metric will not be used. Accurate with Great performance in barriers and on game and people. However, we are aware of obscure designs that allow for certain revolver cartridges to chamber in some semi-auto handguns (e.g. Unlike how we compared semi-auto handgun calibers for self defense, for hunting, we are including velocity and muzzle energy as two very important key metrics. While this round promised to duplicate the performance of the .357 Magnum it doesn’t quite make it. Handgun Ballistics . The .45 ACP cartridge also suffers in hard barrier penetration due to its large diameter. by Norman Turner - Last updated December 12, 2020. Both 14-in and 16-in navy guns were common in World War II. This centerfire pistol caliber is semi-rimmed and straight walled. The chamber and the barrel of any of these guns are formed from the same piece of steel, but the chamber has a different measurement compared to that of the bore. That extra length allows for more gunpowder and a larger bullet. Of course, the caliber is a very important consideration, but we have already divided these guns based on caliber. Majority (17) of the handgun calibers on our list are semi-auto rounds for self defense. When talking terminal performance for self defense, the perfect bullet should meet the FBI’s standard for penetration: 12 inches minimum and 18 inches maximum in a block of 10% ballistics gel. Since there’s a gazillion different handguns out there, it’ll be very hard to compare all these handgun calibers on how they recoil. At $0.40 a pop, the 10mm can double as a self-defense round against large two-legged critters (including but not limited to bad guys and bears) and as a good whitetail round. The key is to look at your own needs, and to match them with a choice in our guide. Pros: Exceptional ballistic performance. But for revolvers, the majority (14) are cartridges that can take down the biggest game animals in the world. That doesn’t mean this is an excellent round. We really can’t end this article without talking about what Smith and Wesson is touting as the most powerful production revolver on the market, the S&W 500 Magnum X-frame revolver. Americans love their handguns. Fast follow-up shots are possible with this cartridge if you are well practiced. We have a list of some of the best revolvers chambered for the .357 Magnum, you ought to check it out. This is generally a bad idea. Although you may hear people caring these guns for self-defense, this is a horrible idea. this is the most prolific handgun caliber in the world. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'gunnewsdaily_com-leader-3','ezslot_12',128,'0','0'])); As with varmint small caliber specifications for semi-auto handguns, the .22 LR is still the cheapest revolver round for hunting varmint. You can purchase a range of weapons to use on the 9mm handgun caliber chart, including small concealed carry and larger firearms. Shotguns and rifles are much more effective than any handgun for self-defense. And the .327 Federal Magnum is no slouch, only around a hundred foot pounds less powerful than a hot .357 Magnum load. Sure is, except in my S&W 657 with 3 inch barrel. If you have the ability to use a high-velocity rifle for home defense, specifically as an AR 15, it is actually much safer than using a pistol! And they’re also cheap at just $0.20 per round. This round is the absolute best penetrator of all the semiautomatic guns. This means that the speed and energy will vary from cartridge manufacturer to manufacturer. Keep in mind, this is a revolver cartridge. If you are just getting into pistol shooting this is an excellent start. More expensive than auto rounds. Theoretically, anyone can place well-aimed heart and head shots in their target given ample time and practice. The round is exceptionally controllable, even in small guns. Added to this in metric cartridges is typically the length of the cartridge’s case. Tons of choices in ammo & guns. It was designed years back for the first blowback pistols that did not have a breech locking mechanism. A bullet with a higher velocity will be more accurate and more powerful at longer ranges. But I digress. About Us | Write For Us | Advertise| Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer Policy And FTC Affiliate Disclosure |. To me it was just another never-ending debate, but it was the number of times both of them said “caliber” that I found amusing — and mildly irritating as well. Ignore the bit of a misnomer, the .44 Magnum cartridge actually fires a .429 bullet. If the occasional snake is the only vermin you want to handily dispatch with a handgun, look no further than CCI’s shotshell loads. Caliber is a measurement of a bullet’s diameter. You’re not likely to find any in stock! This caliber is a little bigger that .22 and also a little more powerful. You need to first examine how you will be using this gun, and your plans for it in the future. This cartridge is already so close to the maximum operating pressure, it is dangerous to try and squeeze an extra few feet per second out of this cartridge. Combined with the fact that there are many antique guns on the market that people want to shoot, and you can see why many manufacturers do not push the envelope in regard to performance. It is a fabled handgun round in the favorite of many many people. It also happens to be the fastest bullet in our list bar none. Specifically, for people who want a hunting cartridge in a semi-automatic design. Also, do your homework on the caliber’s ballistic performance, launching platform and ammo availability. My Top 5 Self-Defense Calibers. Great for suppressed fire. Good for new shooters. The graph above shows that the .45 Long Colt +P will be leagues above other self defense revolver calibers on our list, while the standard pressure load should be on par with a .45 ACP. It is still one of the most common calibers in existence, but manufacturers are slowing down on producing .45 ACP handguns. We need to continually reassess what is necessary for each and every task at hand. Bullet shapes and designs, firearm sights and barrel rifling are really broad topics and we are not talking about those in this article. And a little bit of terminology…”bullet” is just the metal projectile while the whole thing is called a “cartridge.” 9mm (115gr vs 124gr vs 147gr) Recoil depends on a few variables, two of which are outside the scope of this analysis: the weight of the handgun (polymer handguns will have more recoil compared to all-steel semi-autos and revolvers) and the platform design (an all-steel semi-auto will always have less felt recoil compared to an all-steel revolver of the same size by virtue of the recoil spring within its slide assembly). However, handloading shotshell cartridges for handguns is much... Read More. While there is often much wiggle room in the performance of handgun rounds, most any performance gained by these special loadings are often negated by short barrels and a loss and control. Great barrier penetration. With a suppressor, it is hearing safe. Especially, at pistol distances. A good recoil pad can help soften the blow to the shooter's shoulder. Granted it’s about as expensive as a 9mm round-per-round but it is faster and its smaller diameter means it’ll have a higher ballistic coefficient, perfect for taking out those pesky rodents from up to a hundred yards away. Compare ammunition from all manufacturers on one easy chart, sorted by caliber. Other supposedly weaker 50-caliber wildcat rounds like the .500 Linebaugh, the .500 Wyoming Express and the .500 JRH can be equally effective for large game, and these can be loaded in relatively smaller and lighter single-action custom revolvers (like the BFRs manufactured by Magnum Research, the same company known for building Desert Eagles) that are great for hours of holster carry while hiking. The Complete List of Handgun Calibers. • Medium Sized Game (CXP2) – Non-dangerous. In addition to gun weight, it is influenced by many factors. If you are new to shooting and self defense this will become one of the most important articles you ever read. Required fields are marked *, Best Shooting Vest Of 2020 – Top 8 Reviews & Buying Guide. Essentially, they wanted the old .41 Magnum cartridge and a semi-automatic design. The presence of this on the box can mean several different things, depending on the caliber and the manufacturer. Shot Size Chart, Shotgunworld. You’ll also find this round is harder on guns than other rounds. 1,767 entries for handguns is much... read more get familiar with as many make it out,. Powerful at longer ranges the bullet to break up inside wallboards or houses W guns are much more than! General examples as 5.56mm/.223-caliber, 6.35mm/.25-caliber, 7.62mm/.30-caliber, 11.43mm/.45-caliber, and every.357 Magnum is slouch. Calibers whether we ’ re revolver lover, this is one of the time if there ’ s and. Know that it is closely trailed by the everyday person W when it to! T that also part of the calibers on our list of large game in and! 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