Ammo Caliber Chart: Handgun and Rifle Calibers Explained
This chart covers the handgun and rifle calibers we stock most, with each one's common uses, typical bullet weights in our listings and the firearms that fire it. Always match the cartridge to the marking on your barrel. Similar-sounding cartridges are often not interchangeable.
At a Glance
Handgun Calibers
| Caliber / platform | Common use | Grains (our listings) |
|---|---|---|
| 9mm Luger Pistols, PCCs |
Carry, home defense, range | 115, 124, 147 |
| .380 ACP Pocket pistols |
Pocket carry | 90, 95 |
| .40 S&W Pistols |
Carry, duty | 165, 180 |
| .45 ACP Pistols, 1911s |
1911s, carry, suppressed | 185, 230 |
| .357 SIG Pistols |
Carry, duty | 115, 125 |
| .357 Magnum Revolvers, lever rifles |
Revolvers, hunting | 125, 140, 158, 180 |
| 5.7x28mm Pistols, carbines |
Low-recoil pistols | 27, 35, 40, 62 |
Rifle Calibers
| Caliber / platform | Common use | Grains (our listings) |
|---|---|---|
| .223 Remington AR-15, bolt-action |
Varmint, range | 55, 62, 77 |
| 5.56 NATO AR-15 |
Range, defense, varmint | 55, 62, 75, 77 |
| 300 Blackout AR-15, AR pistols |
Short barrels, suppressed, hogs | 110, 125, 150, 190 to 220 |
| 7.62x39 AK, SKS |
Range, deer and hogs | 123, 124 |
| .308 Winchester Bolt-action, AR-10 |
Deer, elk, long range | 150, 165, 168, 175, 180 |
| 7.62x51 NATO Battle rifles |
Range, battle rifles | 147 to 150 |
| .450 Bushmaster AR-15, bolt-action |
Straight-wall deer hunting | 245, 250, 300 |
Muzzle Velocity and Energy by Caliber
One common factory load per caliber, so you can compare power at the muzzle. Handgun figures come from short test barrels and rifle figures from rifle-length barrels, so compare within each group.
Load key: FMJ = full metal jacket; BTHP = boat-tail hollow point.
| Load (Federal data) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal American Eagle (AE380AP) 380 Auto 95 gr FMJ |
980 | 203 |
| Federal American Eagle (AE9DP) 9mm Luger 115 gr FMJ |
1180 | 356 |
| Federal American Eagle (AE40R1) 40 S&W 180 gr FMJ |
1000 | 400 |
| Federal American Eagle (AE45A) 45 Auto 230 gr FMJ |
890 | 404 |
| Federal American Eagle (AE5728A) 5.7x28mm 40 gr FMJ |
1655 | 243 |
| Federal American Eagle (AE300BLK1) 300 Blackout 150 gr FMJ Boat-Tail |
1900 | 1202 |
| Federal American Eagle (A76239A) 7.62x39 124 gr FMJ |
2350 | 1520 |
| Federal American Eagle (AE223) 223 Rem 55 gr FMJ |
3240 | 1282 |
| Federal American Eagle (AE193) 5.56x45mm 55 gr FMJ Boat-Tail |
3165 | 1223 |
| Federal American Eagle (AE308D) 308 Win 150 gr FMJ Boat-Tail |
2820 | 2648 |
| Federal Gold Medal Match (GM762M2) 7.62x51mm NATO 175 gr Sierra Matchking BTHP |
2600 | 2627 |
Figures are as published by Federal Premium on each product page (checked October 30, 2026). Federal lists handgun figures from a 3.75 or 4 or 4.8 or 5-inch test barrel. Velocity from your own barrel will differ.
How to Read a Caliber Name
Caliber names mix systems. Metric names like 9x19mm give bullet diameter and case length in millimeters. Inch names like .308 or .45 give approximate bullet diameter. Names like ACP, S&W and Remington usually name the designer or company. Two cartridges with the same bullet diameter, like 9mm Luger and .380 ACP, can still be different cartridges.
Handgun vs Rifle Calibers
Handgun calibers use short cases and are designed for pistols and revolvers, though many are also chambered in carbines. Rifle calibers use longer cases. Intermediate rifle cartridges like 5.56, 300 Blackout and 7.62x39 sit between pistol rounds and full-power rifle rounds like .308.
Grain Weight
Grain is a unit of bullet weight; 7,000 grains equal one pound. Within a caliber, heavier bullets generally travel slower. Common weights for each caliber are in the chart.
Compare Popular Calibers
Head-to-head guides: 9mm vs .45 ACP, 9mm vs .40 S&W, 9mm vs .380, 9mm vs 5.7x28, 300 Blackout vs 5.56, 7.62x39 vs 5.56, .308 vs 7.62x51 and .223 vs 5.56.
Shop Both
all ammunition | bulk ammo. Compare current cost per round in our Ammo Price Index, see every cartridge in our ammo caliber chart.
Orders of $500 or more ship free; ammunition orders under $500 ship for $15.99. Ammunition is not returnable. Some states and cities restrict ammo purchases or shipments, so read our ammo and magazine laws by state before ordering. Tactical Surplus USA has been selling firearms, ammunition and gear since 2022.
FAQ
What is the most popular handgun caliber?
9mm Luger is the most common handgun caliber for modern carry and duty pistols in the US.
What does grain mean in ammo?
Grain is bullet weight. 7,000 grains equal one pound.
Are 9mm and .380 the same caliber?
They use similar bullet diameters but different case lengths, so they are not interchangeable.
Is .223 the same as 5.56?
They are close but not identical. A 5.56 or .223 Wylde chamber can fire both; a .223-only chamber should use .223.
What is the most powerful handgun caliber on this chart?
Among the handgun loads in our ballistics table, .45 ACP 230 grain lists the most muzzle energy (404 ft-lb).
What is the fastest caliber on this chart?
Among the loads in our table, .223 Remington 55 grain lists the highest muzzle velocity (3,240 fps).
What does fps mean?
Feet per second, the bullet's speed. Makers measure it in a test barrel, so your gun may differ.
What does ft-lb mean?
Foot-pounds, a measure of a bullet's energy.