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Caliber Comparison Guide

Visual comparison of common ammunition types. Educational reference.

Pistol Rifle

Size Comparison (scale relative)

.22 LR

pistol

.22 LR

Rimfire

Length 25.4mm

Velocity 1085 fps

Energy 140 ft-lbs

9mm

pistol

9mm

Centerfire

Length 29.69mm

Velocity 1280 fps

Energy 383 ft-lbs

.45 ACP

pistol

.45 ACP

Centerfire

Length 32.4mm

Velocity 935 fps

Energy 485 ft-lbs

5.56 NATO

rifle

5.56 NATO

Centerfire Bottleneck

Length 57.4mm

Velocity 3110 fps

Energy 1796 ft-lbs

.308 Win

rifle

.308 Win

Centerfire Bottleneck

Length 71.1mm

Velocity 2820 fps

Energy 2648 ft-lbs

.50 BMG

rifle

.50 BMG

Centerfire Belted

Length 138.43mm

Velocity 2910 fps

Energy 13310 ft-lbs

Full Specifications

Caliber	Category	Case Type	Overall Length	Bullet Diameter	Muzzle Velocity	Muzzle Energy	Typical Use
.22 LR	pistol	Rimfire	25.4mm	5.7mm	1,085 fps	140 ft-lbs	Target shooting, small game
9mm	pistol	Centerfire	29.69mm	9.01mm	1,280 fps	383 ft-lbs	Self-defense, law enforcement
.45 ACP	pistol	Centerfire	32.4mm	11.43mm	935 fps	485 ft-lbs	Self-defense, competition
5.56 NATO	rifle	Centerfire Bottleneck	57.4mm	5.7mm	3,110 fps	1,796 ft-lbs	Military, AR-15 platforms
.308 Win	rifle	Centerfire Bottleneck	71.1mm	7.82mm	2,820 fps	2,648 ft-lbs	Hunting, precision rifle
.50 BMG	rifle	Centerfire Belted	138.43mm	12.98mm	2,910 fps	13,310 ft-lbs	Anti-materiel, long range

Muzzle Energy Comparison (ft-lbs)

.22 LR

140 ft-lbs

9mm

383 ft-lbs

.45 ACP

485 ft-lbs

5.56 NATO

1,796 ft-lbs

.308 Win

2,648 ft-lbs

.50 BMG

13,310 ft-lbs

Data sourced from SAAMI specifications and manufacturer data. For educational purposes only.