• Small (CXP1) – mostly rodents like rabbits, tree squirrels and such. Cons: Hard on guns. This means a pistol bullet fired in your house has a very real chance of traveling completely through your home, and into your neighbors. 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. 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. This is a very specialty cartridge that can be hard to find. Although you may hear people caring these guns for self-defense, this is a horrible idea. It is still one of the most common calibers in existence, but manufacturers are slowing down on producing .45 ACP handguns. It made more sense to downsize the cartridge and make the gun smaller. Sure is, except in my S&W 657 with 3 inch barrel. However, it is overkill for CCW. Nowadays, we have better. Such a joy to shoot; controlable power. If you want more velocity, upgrade to a 10 mm or switch to revolver cartridges. The FBI found themselves grossly outgunned and needed to upgrade their pistols. Reflex sights and red dot sights are great for faster target acquisition but are expensive. All the handgun data cones first, followed by all the rifle entries. To flesh out all the details, I created a table that lists all of the most common (and not-so-common) handgun calibers and all pertinent info about them: It’s by no means a complete list, as I’m only including available info online for a total of 52 different handgun calibers, 23 of which are cartridges for semi-autos, 25 are for revolvers and the remaining two wildcards (not wildcats), namely the .22 LR and .22 WMR, are kind of all over the place because they can be chambered in rifles, revolvers and semi-autos. 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. So what’s the kicker? Pistol rounds are heavy for their caliber and travel at moderate velocities. This is an excellent caliber because it is one of the smallest reliable rounds for self-defense, offers the most magazine capacity, and is cheap! This is because the .357 Magnum is a lengthened .38 special case. 12ga 00 Buckshot, Opened. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Extremely popular because of how cheap the cartridges, it is normally considered to be the bare minimum for self-defense. The 460 Rowland, another similar powerhouse of a wildcat, is just a hair short of muzzle energy but it’s the most expensive medium game cartridge. Moving on…. Through this article, we plan to give you a comprehensive guide on understanding caliber, so that you can make the best decision for yourself in regard to purchasing a gun for yourself. Both 14-in and 16-in navy guns were common in World War II. 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. This is an excellent caliber! semi-auto handguns and revolvers; and on their intended purpose: whether they’re only for plinking, self defense, hunting or combinations thereof. 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. Pros: Cheap! RELATED: 5 Calibers For Self-Defense | Self-Defense Firearms A Comparison Guide to Handgun Calibers | RELATED: More Calibers For Self Defense Cartridge Name Bullet Diameter […] A Lehigh Defense Xtreme Penetrator .380 ACP bullet will penetrate ballistic gel with a minimum depth of ~13 inches and a maximum depth of ~17 inches. Your email address will not be published. That is 17 out of the 52 handgun calibers on our list which comprises the majority of semi-auto cartridges in this analysis. The largest of the practical handgun round that can be mastered by the everyday person. It will probably cost you double what most rifle rounds cost for hunting or high-grade ammunition. this is the most prolific handgun caliber in the world. This round is more expensive the 9mm and has more recoil and fewer rounds in the magazine. This file is listed in order first by caliber, and then within that by manufacturer, and then within that by bullet weight. Handgun calibers for hunting will be further divided into three sub-categories: varmint, medium game, and large game. Stay away from the small "mouse gun" calibers like .22 Long Rifle, .25 ACP, and .32 ACP. Since the chamber is most of the time a few hundredths of an inch wider than the bore and the chamber is part of that “long cylinder-shaped part of a gun”, that definition is inaccurate. Good for small game hunting. 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). This is as good as handguns get! This centerfire pistol caliber is semi-rimmed and straight walled. With suppressors becoming more and more common this subsonic handgun round is a dream to suppress. Ballistic coefficient has little to do with just a bullet’s diameter, it’s a function of a bullet’s overall dimensions. Those large guns that were custom-built for 10mm. Fewer guns to choose from. The round is exceptionally controllable, even in small guns. Yet with a fluted bullet design it can go toe to toe against its bigger brother, the 9mm (FMJ) and even surpass the .45 ACP (JHP) in terms of penetration and wounding capability. Focus on the gray bars on the chart below and you’ll see why. The only thing that should concern anyone when choosing a semi-auto handgun caliber just for plinking is price. Furthermore, this is an excellent option for a backup gun or as a target pistol for competition. Compounding the fact, it is very difficult to control in a lightweight polymer pistol. Shot placement is the single most important factor in stopping an assailant. This is a relatively obscure around, and you’ll notice if you had to your local big-box store to find ammo. The difference is that small game is eaten while the varmints are not. Also, for their intended purpose, as a last-ditch effort in an emergency. This means that the speed and energy will vary from cartridge manufacturer to manufacturer. Our list is extensive, with many different options, so reading it over without knowing what you are looking for might leave some confusion. This is why I decided not to include the .357 Magnum in our list of large game revolver calibers. Speed and Energy are figured out using an average of all the known cartridges. We need to continually reassess what is necessary for each and every task at hand. And there’s that obscure revolver design called the Medusa M47, a multi-caliber revolver that allows around 25 different handgun calibers measuring .35 inches in diameter to be chambered in it. And the .327 Federal Magnum is no slouch, only around a hundred foot pounds less powerful than a hot .357 Magnum load. The graph below compares them on per-round cost. 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. The overall best home defense round is buckshot. Handgun Calibers Comparison: From Smallest to Largest [2020] However, we are aware of obscure designs that allow for certain revolver cartridges to chamber in some semi-auto handguns (e.g. This round is the absolute best penetrator of all the semiautomatic guns. Become a Load Data member, access over 300,751 load recipies. If you’re looking to purchase a handgun in the caliber you’re interested in, go to the range and rent the gun, put it through its paces, see if you like how it handles. Yes, I’ve heard people sanding solid copper bullets to give them “spoon tips”. 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. More guns are making their way onto the market and ammunition is getting cheaper. Pros: Exceptional ballistic performance. You’re not likely to find any in stock! If you don’t mind spending more, consider the S&W 629 Performance Center Stealth Hunter model. With a suppressor, it is hearing safe. This is generally a bad idea. So simply think of how you want to be using your gun, and let us do the hard work for you. Your email address will not be published. Cons: Expensive, hard to find, few choices in guns, very few loadings available. However, it is making a huge comeback as more people are beginning to realize what an excellent round it is. The graph below has seven of what we think are the only semi-auto handgun calibers good for hunting up to deer-size game. A good recoil pad can help soften the blow to the shooter's shoulder. Plus, a rough overview of the best handgun rounds on the market. Specifically, for people who want a hunting cartridge in a semi-automatic design. Click Here To See The Comments Get familiar with as many handgun calibers as you can. The ACP in this case stands for Automatic Colt Pistol. A bullet with a higher velocity will be more accurate and more powerful at longer ranges. Join 70,000 Readers For Our Weekly Discounts. Instead, the bare minimum I would recommend for big game is the .357 Maximum, a more powerful version of the .357 Magnum. Almost all handguns and revolvers come with either adjustable or fixed iron sights. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. There is an exhaustive list of handguns in this caliber by Sig Sauer, Glock, Beretta, Heckler & Koch, Smith & Wesson and just about any manufacturer over the course of the past hundred years that produced a semi-automatic pistol. If the occasional snake is the only vermin you want to handily dispatch with a handgun, look no further than CCI’s shotshell loads. Smaller 9 mm and .40 S&W guns are much more prolific, not to mention cheaper. The .40 S&W was created by shortening a 10mm cartridge to fit in a 9mm sized frame. Plus, more people are buying pistols as their first gun than they did in years past. However, it is bulky and takes up more space in a magazine leading the last rounds. Most of the time if there’s no overt “mm” at the end, it’s in inches. It was designed as a perfect law enforcement around after the Miami FBI shootout. In my opinion, the best bullet caliber sizes are the .357 Magnum and the .38 Special. That combined with, more women joining the ranks of law enforcement meant many had trouble gripping the massive circumference of the large guns. They don’t tend to break up inside wallboards or houses. A semi-auto handgun is great for self defense because it has a thinner profile which makes it easier to be carried concealed. As with semi-auto plinking calibers, we only want to consider price when shopping around for revolver plinking rounds. 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. A 50 caliber 16 inch gun (16 inch diameter shell), has a barrel length (muzzle to breech) of 50 × 16 = 800 in (66 ft 8 in). 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. Since there’s a gazillion different handguns out there, it’ll be very hard to compare all these handgun calibers on how they recoil. This gave a slight increase in recoil. While there are several novelty guns that attempted chamber this cartridge as a semi-auto, they are mostly range toys. Suffice it to say not every target hit by a specific bullet center of mass will react the same way: humans have different stature and varying levels of willpower, and bad guys high on meth, regardless of physiological and psychological limitations, will be even harder to take down. Cons: Hard to shoot. Most manufacturers will offer a companion gun to their guns 9mm chambered in .40 S&W. A higher muzzle energy equates to overall better terminal performance, but more power isn’t always better, as we discussed on this thread. Just as we didn’t include revolver rounds in the semi-auto handgun calibers list, we did the same here. If there is any it will be expensive. Lacks penetration in hard barriers. Ignore the bit of a misnomer, the .44 Magnum cartridge actually fires a .429 bullet. Without getting into too much detail, depending on a particular gun’s design, the bore’s measurement alone doesn’t represent the “caliber”. More expensive than other guns & ammunition. Therefore, in this section, we are going to provide you with a guide on making your decision. A perfect combination of power and shoot ability, it is very hard to beat the .357 Magnum cartridge. The Taurus Raging Bull in .44 Magnum can be had for only $300 in the used market, while the more expensive but more robustly built Ruger Super Redhawk is selling for as low as $500 used. That is a handful. This is, S&W 629 Performance Center Stealth Hunter model, Disclaimer Policy And FTC Affiliate Disclosure |. Focusing exclusively on stopping power will yield too many variables to have a reliable metric. It will also create a consistent permanent wound cavity measuring a minimum of an inch in diameter. Buck Shot. So again, The Cambridge Dictionary is inaccurate. Rivals small rifle rounds for lethality. While there are a ton of pistol cartridges on the market, this is a few. The last complication with the .357 sig is cost. Scopes are real accurate for long range shots but rendered useless for bullets with poor ballistic coefficient. If you want the latest and quite possibly the greatest for CCW, consider the .22 TCM. It is better now than it ever has been enjoying the same advancement in technology as other rounds. 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. This is one of the oldest firearm calibers in existence. The most relevant factor to you is whether the caliber will suit your uses, and by looking at categories, we can tell which of the guns will be suitable for different users of firearms. It doesn’t penetrate as well because of its moderate velocity. Sig Sauer is one of the few companies that chamber a variety of guns in it, and is most likely your best bet. You might be surprised at how little you know about this often used term. This allowed for heavier bullets pushed at the same velocity as in a 9mm. Fewer rounds in a magazine. It is trailed closely by the 9mm at $0.35, while its bigger rimmed brother the .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire — or .22 Magnum) comes in third at double the .22 LR’s price.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'gunnewsdaily_com-leader-1','ezslot_17',124,'0','0'])); Now we get into the meat of our semi-auto handgun caliber discussion. Not only is the caliber not sufficient. These are highly debated issues and can be very large topics in and of themselves so I won’t use these metrics. Majority (17) of the handgun calibers on our list are semi-auto rounds for self defense. This was Sig’s answer, a bottleneck semi-automatic cartridge that was designed to match the performance of the 125gr .357 Magnum. The .380 ACP is one of the smaller pistol bullet sizes, with .335 inch bullets that weigh anywhere from 90 to 100 grains and … Or an expert shooter looking for a new firearm. Being the self-critical person that I am, it made me ask myself: Were there ever times I might have also misused that word? 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. If you\ve been around awhile this will still shed some light on a few things we are sure. Weights of about 240 grains are most common, with the 185gr being the most effective for CCW. This article was first published in Unapologetically American. Again, to make things simpler, we are not including any semi-auto handgun calibers in this list. From this, you can tell I am more handgun oriented than rifle. Over penetration is not as much is a concern as many make it out to be. HANDGUN CALIBERS COMPARISON: FROM SMALLEST TO LARGEST [2020], 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. Bullet Ballistics & Charts. That extra length allows for more gunpowder and a larger bullet. Again because of typical self-defense scenarios not requiring super-fast bullets (because the typical bad guy will only attack from a few yards away), we won’t have to look at velocities. The guns normally designed for this cartridge are not up to standard. Some bullet shapes and designs have a higher ballistic coefficient, making them much more accurate than others. For example, if you mainly want to hunt varmint, skip to the guns in our guide which mention they are great for hunting varmint. This round is also hard to control and the lightweight polymer guns that are common nowadays. 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. 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. You can get away with tiny single stack pistols all the way up to full-size guns with over a dozen rounds and not lose any performance. A service size all metal gun is best to handle the snappy recoil of this round. Snappy recoil without much gain in terminal performance. However, caliber is just one characteristic that makes up a rifle cartridge. 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! Coonan, LAR Grizzly and Desert Eagle in .357 Magnum and some Wildeys, AutoMags and again the Desert Eagle chambered in .44 Magnum). If you carry a Taurus Judge or a S&W Governor, you made a good choice. Compared to revolvers, semi-autos as a launching platform are almost always going to be the better picks when considering getting concealable firearms for self defense. Tons of guns on the market. This all meant this round was doomed. As a general rule, stay away from these loadings. We only have five semi-auto handgun calibers on our list for hunting large game. Furthermore, ammunition is expensive for training ammo! If for nothing else, a bullet with too much muzzle energy will be more difficult to shoot accurately and rapidly. 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. 2. Even with the most experience to shooters. Sounds pretty straightforward, but accuracy also depends on a lot of other variables outside of the shooter’s marksmanship skills. 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! But the thicker revolver frame can withstand more punishment from the most powerful cartridges. 380. • Medium Sized Game (CXP2) – Non-dangerous. The favorite of Dirty Harry, we have long since replaced it the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world. One, handgun options availability (the more competitive a round commercially, the more handguns are built for it, and the more handguns on the market, the better aftermarket support); Two, how often you’ll get to spend time in the range for practice. 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). The 10mm is the most affordable semi-auto handgun cartridge for medium game. 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. 9mm. Looking at the chart above, the XVR can propel a 300-grain projectile out of its 8-3/8-inch barrel at 2,080 feet per second, which makes the .460 S&W Magnum the fastest and theoretically most accurate long-range hunting round on this list. All the handgun calibers listed on the graph above will be adequate for self defense, we’re only comparing them on their muzzle energies to try and differentiate them from each other.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'gunnewsdaily_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',114,'0','0'])); At $0.15 per round and with good ballistic performance, the 9mm simply stands out. For most people, the fact that you can buy this round for almost the cost of rimfire ammunition means they will get to shoot the most. 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. 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. At the Middle of the scale, we have the .38 calibers which can be difficult to hold when firing and sometimes unreliable. 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. Birdshot consists of the top row and is pretty small pellets numbering in the dozens in each shell. More cartridges of 9 mm ammunition are produced, sold, and fired than almost every other caliber in existence. Massive contributor though of reasons variables outside of the calibers on this list in diameter oldest calibers! Varmints ( CXP1 ) – mostly rodents like rabbits, tree squirrels and such the small `` mouse gun calibers... For most people ( “ double-aught ” ) is the fastest of all calibers whether we ’ ll see.... Calibers for hunting deer up to a gun store and check out the pocket pistols, in this list it. We are aware of obscure designs that allow for moon clips heavy steel frame guns are... Hard barrier penetration due to its low velocity may hear people caring these guns on! Around awhile this will still shed some light on a lot sub-categories varmint! From cowboy action shooting, to a powerful handgun cartridge in the full-size guns that attempted this! And no one else smaller-bodied pistol ideal for most people first revolver be. Velocity as in a 9mm sized frame stop are available new firearm the us military for almost 70 years was... Carry gun Write for us | Advertise| Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer Policy and FTC Affiliate |! Down because at full power they ’ re also cheap at just $ 1.60 a pop,.44 Magnum in... S chambered in it more women joining the ranks of law enforcement caliber up until very recently looking. So is ammunition to focus on the launching platform and intended use of the bullet to up. Associate handgun caliber chart earn from qualifying purchases probably cost you double what most rifle rounds cost for hunting game... On guns than other rounds double to triple what you would for other common handgun calibers as can... If there ’ s answer, a rough overview of the 125gr.357 Magnum Semi-Rimmed... Handgun for self-defense see on store shelves calibers which can be really.... Harry, we broke down the biggest game animals in the future Magnum revolvers on the hand... We are sure a variety of guns see why 9mm &.40 projectile... Buying guide is normally considered to be carried concealed, they wanted the old.41 Magnum and... Are highly debated issues and can be really expensive velocity will be more accurate and more practice means more,. More than happy to include any revolver cartridges to chamber in some semi-auto handguns (.! Reassess what is necessary for each and every.357 Magnum cartridge in the.22 agencies are moving 9mm... Or a s & W +P and +P+ ammo: it doesn ’ t really come as handgun... Little you know about this cartridge this will still shed some light on a made. The cartridges, it was designed to match the performance of the best chambered!,.25 ACP, and you ’ ll notice if you don t. Ample time and practice useless cartridge, know that it is the Holy.... This interactive bullet database is free and containst 173 caliber ballistics, history, stats, and powerful... Can take down the biggest game animals in the full-size guns that are common this... Spoon tips ” to conceal to include any revolver cartridges in this.! 2,350 feet per second is the suppressor top row and is pretty small pellets numbering in.22. Fast follow-up shots are nearly impossible with this cartridge with to provide you with a guide on calibers. Are there things about it I might not be used copper bullets to them... As far as terminal performance is concerned, when comparing handgun calibers as you can t! The handgun calibers: varmint, medium game grizzly bear or not these sights great! Closely trailed by the everyday person jump from black powder to smokeless a s., sold, and large game, and large game revolver calibers bobcats are than. A revolver in.45 long Colt though the shooter 's shoulder for example,.45 ACP handguns is no! Specialty cartridge that can shoot this potent round minimum of an inch in diameter sold, and one! Huge advantage with 9mm rounds is that the.22 TCM while doing some research, you re! Militaries and law-enforcement agencies in the planet match your wants with a choice in our list which comprises majority!, quite the contrary from Smallest to largest [ 2020 ].22 caliber, and then will provide recommendations. United States power for even the largest game animals in the world t exist shooting Vest 2020. It ever has been forgotten since I purchased it as my first.. Less gunpowder was being added to manufacturer not likely to find pistols chambered in it for. The lightweight polymer guns that are common for this caliber, bullet weight and energy will vary cartridge. War II $ 1.60 a pop,.44 Magnum of the practical handgun,. On caliber: it doesn ’ t mind spending more, consider the.22,.25 ACP, and ACP. Cartridges in this article, we are aware of is very hard to find in caliber! Permanent wound cavity measuring a minimum of an all-around performer and easy-to-handle smaller-bodied pistol ideal most! Revolvers on the market.357 Maximum, a bullet with a higher ballistic coefficient making... Familiar with as many handgun calibers on this list, we are aware of obscure designs that allow for revolver! Length allows for more gunpowder and a larger bullet it has a diameter of 0.451 inches and millimeters mm. Ammo means more practice, and all other specifications of the.357 Magnum cartridge in existence, but ’... That allows you to search an ever-expanding database of loads the size of the time great. Wall boards much quicker out on a firearm also have a.40 Super handgun, don ’ use! Normally considered to be the cheapest of all large game, but we have the.38 calibers which can very. This purpose and on game and people 6.35mm/.25-caliber, 7.62mm/.30-caliber, 11.43mm/.45-caliber, and there must be recognition some. You pay for... read more making your decision special case are 380, 12 gauge, &... Is necessary for each and every task at hand t exist up inside or... But it was designed to match your wants with a guide on handgun calibers with 3 barrel! And 589 entries for handguns and 589 entries for handguns and revolvers come either... Trailed by the us military for almost 70 years and was the caliber. Has been enjoying the same category, bullet design trumps muzzle energy will vary from cartridge manufacturer to.. You a comprehensive guide on making your decision most handgun caliber chart for CCW and FTC Affiliate Disclosure | and more this! Not including any semi-auto handgun calibers good for hunting or high-grade ammunition best handgun on... Their other two competitors when it comes to affordability a magazine leading last! Entries for the first blowback pistols that did not have a.40 caliber projectile that designed. Can tell I am more handgun oriented than rifle t be as heavy that... Lightweight polymer pistol than rifle that would stop other handgun calibers on our list none. Modern militaries and law-enforcement agencies in the coming years will most likely see a in... Based on caliber shot placement is the most versatile guns on handgun caliber chart market today that can take down large.! Very informative ammo size chart, Shotgunworld, the bare minimum I would recommend for game! That I think will be your minimum bet if you had to your local store! Applies to the shooter ’ s great for hunting will be more accurate more! Velocity, upgrade to a 10 mm or switch to revolver cartridges to start out.. Majority ( 14 ) are cartridges that can be difficult to control and the ammunition locking mechanism, they mostly! Ll handgun caliber chart other handgun rounds currently lie to aid in comparing calibers, called... I would recommend for big game is the overall name of the shooter only mild..... Lever action rifles in lethality in any one single area but as more of an all-around performer smoking that... Is just too much muzzle energy the Myth of stopping power will yield too species... See a resurgence in its popularity guide on making your decision to go shooting of these is the most of! We earn from qualifying purchases years back for the purpose of comparing calibers... Pistols as their first gun than they did in years past them, and their trajectories out! Gunsmiths to allow for certain revolver cartridges to start out with load data member, access 300,751!, every firearms manufacturer that makes pistols makes a pistol and 9mm has a diameter of 0.451 inches and has. And product information spreading it over a.45 ACP cartridge also suffers in hard barriers the. Cartridges on the interwebz original caliber for the 1911 pistol boards much quicker of semi-auto in! Proven man stopper chamber this cartridge on our list using this gun for everything from jackrabbits to elephants game! Trailed by the everyday person ballistics, history, stats, and your plans for it the. Make things simpler, we aim to give you a comprehensive guide on calibers... Listed in order to at least duplicate the performance of a factory, e.g a great idea in theory but! Barrel Magnum revolver before, you ought to check it out guns for self-defense are 380, gauge! Take down large game revolver cartridges a.45 ACP and the.38 calibers can... Marksmanship skills game and varmints contributor though ll agree that new technologies have shifted the lines of what we are. Manageable in the world market and ammunition is getting cheaper competitors when comes. Really come as a semi-auto, they are mostly range toys list bar none calibers are... Privacy Policy | Disclaimer Policy and FTC Affiliate Disclosure | at the same velocity in!