Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

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Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types

One of the most daunting things when I first

started looking for a gun was…what size bullet to
get?

At the time I figured all bullets kill just fine, so it

was just a matter of what gun I like.

As time has passed, I’ve learned that I was only

half right…all bullets kill but some bullets kill better
than others.

We’ll be covering purely bullet size…and the

benefits/weaknesses of each.  Now, there’s A
LOT of sizes out there but I want to cover the ones
you’re most likely to see and/or use.  These are
the ones that you can walk into just about any
sporting goods store and buy.

Then we’ll follow up with some bullet terminology

and the different types of bullet tips (hollow point,
etc), how shotgun shell sizes work, and a
breakdown of the components of a round.  By the
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

end, you’ll be a bullet pro!

Bullet Size & Caliber

First!

For guns, “caliber” means the diameter of the

barrel and thus the diameter of the bullet that is
going through it.  Also for terminology
sake, “bullet” just means the metal projectile, while
the entire thing is called a cartridge.

Parts of a Bullet Cartridge

We’re going to cover a lot in this article, including:

Rimfire vs Centerfire
Common Calibers
Common Bullet Types
Components of Cartridges

If you want to jump ahead, check out our

suggestion for the Best Place to Buy Ammo
Online.

Now what you’ve been waiting for…

Rimfire vs Centerfire
The first differentiator is between rimfire and
centerfire cartridges.

The rimfire’s primer is built into the rim while the

centerfire cartridge has the primer in the center. 
Rimfires are extremely cheap (few cents each)
and the .22LR is the most popular rimfire caliber. 
For even more differences, see our article on
rimfire ammo or familiarize yourself with how
guns work.

Centerfire vs Rimfire Primer

Rimfire vs Centerfire

Common Bullet Calibers

There’s A LOT of bullet calibers, but you might not
run into more than a handful in your lifetime.  We’ll
be going over 18 calibers in total I have on hand,
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

but let’s start with the top 11 most common sizes

(in my opinion) first.

Common Bullet Sizes

Overview of More Common

Bullet Calibers
To make things a little more confusing, there’s a
mixture of measurements in inches and
millimeters.  There’s also a unit of weight called a
“grain” which is used to denote the weight of
bullets.  A “grain” is really small since 7000 grains
make up one pound.

When you talk about bullets at this high of a level,

the most high-level trait is “Stopping Power”.

This is a relatively vague trait and somewhat

controversial.  What it boils down to is how many
bullets does it take to drop a person.  Granted, if
you hit someone in the right spot it only ever takes
one but in most situations, you’re aiming for center
mass (a.k.a. the chest, a.k.a. the largest target
available).

Some bullets have enough power or other traits

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

that will cause damage to organs even if you don’t

hit them directly. You might also hear about a term
called “Hydrostatic Shock” but that’s an entire
article unto itself.

Now let’s go through some!

More Common Bullet Calibers

.22LR

The “twenty-two” long-rifle is the most common

caliber in terms of units sold.

It has a bullet weight of around 30-40 grains and is

extremely mild shooting in both pistols and rifles. 
The recoil is almost non-existent which makes it a
great starter round for someone who has never
shot a gun or is uncomfortable with the noise.

The low price of the bullets is also great for

learning sight pictures.  It is traditionally the
starting caliber for shooters.  These things are only
a few steps up from a pellet gun round.
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

They can kill, don’t get me wrong, but they’re

mostly for killing rats, snakes, and birds. They’ll kill
an attacker for sure but it might take a shot or six.

I have extremely fond memories of earning my

Rifle Shooting merit badge with a .22LR.  Many
popular handguns and rifles have .22 versions or
adapters that let you practice on the platform but
use the inexpensive .22LR ammo.

Price: ~ 7 cents

.25 ACP

Slightly larger than the .22 and slightly more

powerful….though not much.

The ACP stands for “Automatic Colt Pistol.”  There

are quite a few guns that use this size but the
ammo is more expensive and you’re not getting
too much-added benefit other than the inherent
reliability that comes with centerfire casings.

Slightly more stopping power than the .22 but it’s

kind of like the difference between stabbing
someone with an ice pick or a knitting needle.

Both do the job, but one will leave an ever so

slightly larger hole.  It’s a tiny round and I’ve yet to
use a .25 caliber gun that didn’t work like crap.
 I’ve used a few flawless .22’s, however.  I don’t
know why that is.

Price: ~20 cents

.380 ACP
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

Now we’re getting into the beefy sizes.

Personally, I would never use a gun with anything

smaller than a .380 as my primary carry weapon.

Sometimes called a “9mm Short”, it has seen a

major boost in popularity recently thanks to the
various “pocket pistols” that have come on the
market.  This is also a very controversial round.   If
you ever want to troll a gun forum, just go there
and ask “which is better: a .380 or a 9mm?” or
“Does a .380 have enough stopping power to use
it as a carry?”  Watch the arguments start.

It’s entertaining.

This bullet has relatively low recoil and, at close

range, good penetration.

They’re a great carry weapon size, in my noobish

opinion.  Gun author Massad Ayoob once said of
the .380 “Some experts will say it’s barely
adequate, and others will say it’s barely
inadequate”.  This is a low power round.  Because
of the nature of the bullet and the guns that shoot
it, it’s going to be relatively useless beyond close-
ish range.

Price: ~30 cents

9mm

This pistol round is officially known as the

“9x19mm Parabellum” or “9mm Luger” to
distinguish it from other 9mm rounds, but you will
be fine just saying “nine millimeter” or “nine mil” for
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

those in the know.

My personal favorite and if there was a

“Goldilocks” round, this would be it.

The very first gun I bought was a 9mm.  They’re

fun at the range. They’re good for defense.

Believe it or not…or actually believe it because it’s

true…the 9mm bullet is the same diameter as the
bullet used in the .380 and the .38 Special. The
difference between the three is the amount of
gunpowder behind it and possibly bullet weight.

It is the standard round for NATO countries and

the majority of police forces around the world.  It is
mild shooting, can vary in weight from 115-147
grains, and has varying stopping power based on
the type of bullet (hint, go with hollow points).

Ballistics Gel Testing

The rounds are inexpensive and they have very

low recoil.  Many, many guns use this size as well.
 A compact 9mm gun can be used for concealed
carry.  Most of the guns that use this size can hold
on average 15-17 rounds in the magazine.

Price: ~25 cents

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

.40 S&W

Remember how I said the 9mm was the

“Goldilocks Round”?  If that’s the case then the .40
is her big, angry, whiskey drinking sister.

Originally designed for the FBI as a reduced

10mm cartridge and popular with other law
enforcement agencies ever since.  More kick when
compared to the other popular handgun cartridge,
the 9mm.  Weights of the bullet can vary from 155
to 165 and 180 gr.   Ammo is still relatively
inexpensive.

Note that the FBI recently decided to move back to

the 9mm since agents are able to shoot more
quickly and more accurately with 9mm compared
to the .40 S&W.

Price: ~30 cents

.45 ACP

Designed in 1904 by Mr. John Browning himself

for the famous 1911 pistol, this round has one
heck of a history.

This thing is a big bullet with stopping power to

spare.

The choice of many police officers and military

personnel for years, the .45 caliber round has
proven itself time and time again. I could probably
do an entire article on just this bullet.

It has a large bullet of around 230 grains and has

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

moderate recoil.  I can tell you from personal

experience that this is not a round to hand to
someone who’s never fired a gun before.  Its
stopping power is renowned and has a nostalgic
following.  Our recommendations for the best
ammo for practice and self-defense.

Price: ~40 cents

.38 Special

The “thirty-eight special” is most commonly found

in revolvers.

It has manageable recoil but is still quite a handful

when in a very light/small revolver.  It has a longer
cartridge and more powder in said cartridge but it
is a slower, heavier bullet than the 9mm.  The FBI
used this cartridge as its standard issue for a very
long time.

The .357 Magnum is identical to the round except

for being slightly longer.  You can safely fire a .38
Special in a .357 Magnum gun, but don’t try the
other way around due to size and pressure
constraints.  Bullet weights vary from 110 to 132 to
158 gr.

Price: ~50 cents

7.62x39mm

The Soviet round used in the AK-47 line of rifles. 

It has moderate recoil, great knockdown power,
and a bullet weight of usually 123 grains.  There is
a high availability of military surplus ammo which
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

makes the round very affordable.

Price: ~20 cents

.223 / 5.56x45mm

The “two-two-three” (inch) Remington has almost

the exact dimensions as the “five-five-six” (mm)
NATO cartridge.

The 5.56 has higher pressures than the .223, so

.223 rounds can be fired in a 5.56 rifle, while 5.56
rounds should not be fired in a .223 rifle.  Bullets
are around 55 grains and the cartridge has light
recoil.

It is the ammunition used in the M16/M4/AR-15

line of rifles and there’s still endless debate on its
effectiveness in combat.  However for civilian
shooters who get the benefit of hollow point
ammunition…it is strongly recommended for home
defense.

Price: ~30 cents

.308 / 7.62x51mm

The “three-oh-eight” (inch) Winchester is almost

the same dimensions as the “seven-six-two” (mm)
NATO round.

There are special considerations when mixing the

rounds but unless you know what you are doing,
stick with the round intended for your rifle.

It is a popular hunting round with moderate recoil,

high stopping power, and a wide range of bullets
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

available from 150 to 208 grains.

Price: ~75 cents

12 gauge

The most popular shotgun round.

20 gauge is a smaller round while 10 gauge is a

much larger round.

Recoil can vary from moderate to high based on

round.  Shotgun ammunition is the most versatile
with birdshot (lots of smaller metal balls), buckshot
(fewer much larger metal balls), and slugs (1 oz
piece of solid metal).  Stopping power is renowned
with buckshot and slugs.

Price: ~25 cents for birdshot to $1 for others

.50 BMG

Not really common for civilians, but I just had to

have it in here.  It’s huge and has huge recoil
with awesome range (confirmed kills at 2000m+),
and you definitely don’t want to be on the receiving
end of the bullet.  660 grains of pure stopping
power.

Price: ~$3.00

Common Bullet Types &

Terminology
Still with me?
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

I’ll go over rarer types of calibers at the end of the

article since I really want you to learn about the
common bullet types first.

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)

This is the most common type of bullet and

consists of a soft metal core, such as lead fully
encapsulated by a harder metal, such as copper. 
They are usually pointy, round, or even flat. 
Wound channels are typically small and go
through a target.

Great for the range but not preferred for defensive

rounds.

Hollow Point (HP)

Hollow points are made to expand once they hit

something.  They are the go-to round for police
officers, concealed weapon carriers, and home
defense guns because of their stopping power.

Below you can see the difference between a round

nose 9mm FMJ and a hollowpoint:
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

9mm 115 gr Federal FMJ vs 124 gr Federal Hydrashok, Top

Open Tip (OTM)

Open-tip bullets look like hollow points since they

have an opening at the top, but this is more
because of their manufacturing process.  The
openings are too small to expand effectively.

Regular FMJ’s are created from small copper cups

where the bottom of the cup becomes the tip of
the bullet.  Open-tip bullets are the opposite, with
the bottom of the cup becoming the bottom of the
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

bullet.

7.62×39 FMJ vs Open Tip, Top

Open-tip bullets are sometimes also known as

Open Tip Match (OTM) since they are preferred by
long-distance shooters.  The manufacturing
process for open tip bullets creates a more
consistent round than FMJ.  Important when
you’re shooting hundreds of yards!

To make things more confusing, several

manufacturers such as Sierra still call their open
tip rounds “hollow point.”  If it is important to you, it
is best to check online or call.

Ballistic Tip

This is what you get when you combine the

aerodynamics of an FMJ with the stopping power
of a hollow point.  This is a hollow point covered
with plastic to mimic the profile of an FMJ.  They
are usually used in hunting.

Below you’ll see that the bottoms of the bullets are

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

more streamlined.  This design is called “boat tail”

and produces less drag as the bullet flies through
the air.  HPBT is short for “hollow point boat tail.”

7.62 208 gr Ballistic Tip vs 175 HPBT

5.56 FMJ vs Open Tip vs Ballistic Tip, Side

Soft Point

This is an earlier attempt to get the ballistic

advantages of an FMJ with better expansion.

In soft point bullets, part of the lead is exposed at

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

the tip.  The softer lead is designed to flatten

better when the bullet hits a target.  But for the
most part, ballistic tips have surpassed the
performance of soft points.

Note that the left and right bullets are boat tail
while the middle one is not.

Soft Point Bullets

Bird Shot

We’re back to shotgun rounds.

Shot Size Chart, Shotgunworld

Birdshot consists of the top row and is pretty small

pellets numbering in the dozens in each shell. 
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

Here’s a 7.5 shot shell with a clear hull.

12 ga Birdshot

Great for hunting birds and blasting clay pigeons,

but not the best for home defense.

Buck Shot

The overall best home defense round is buckshot. 

00 (“double-aught”) is the go-to load.
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

00 Buckshot, Paracles Tech

Slugs

Slugs are single projectiles that are around 1 oz of

solid metal that really bring the hurt.  However,
they don’t have the spread of birdshot or
buckshot.  But, in the hands of a solid shooter,
they can be accurate up to 100 yards.

12ga Slug

Components of Common
Cartridges
What makes up a cartridge?
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

If you get into shooting, you’ll see the costs can

really add up.  That is when you get into reloading
your own ammo.  Here are just a couple
breakdowns of the calibers I currently reload.  You
can see the difference in powders & bullets for
each type.

Components of 124 9mm FMJ

Components of 55 gr 5.56 FMJ

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

Components of 175 gr 308 HPBT

Less Common
Bullet Calibers
Let’s quickly go over the remaining 8 calibers I
have on hand:

Common Bullet Sizes

10mm

If you remember, the .40 S&W is just a cut down

version of the 10mm which is pretty tough to
handle and not something I want to be shooting all
Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

day at the range.

Which is just the reason the FBI downgraded from

the 10mm to the .40 S&W (and now to the 9mm).
 Great stopping power and harsh recoil.

Price: ~60 cents

.40 S&W vs 10mm

5.7x28mm

Made by FN for their P90 personal defense

weapon (PDW) and Five-Seven (get it?) pistol.
 The small bullet (23-31 gr) travels very fast and
allows for increased penetration with low recoil
and high magazine capacity.

The history of this little guy is interesting if you’re

into that kind of thing.  This is a round born of the
Cold War when Western European nations were
worried about the Soviets invading, specifically
worried about paratroopers wearing body armor.

The design of the P90 and the 5.7 go hand-in-

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

hand, the goal of each being to equip rear echelon

troops with a weapon that was easy to handle,
easy to transport, and still effective Vs. regular
troops wearing body armor.

Although the Soviets never invaded, the P90 and

the 5.7 have proven themselves to be very
effective in that role. However, if you’re not facing
attackers wearing body armor – there are better
options.

Price: ~50 cents

.357 Magnum

A beefed up .38 Special almost exclusively for

revolvers.  Great reputation for stopping power but
at the cost of some decent recoil.  Bullets vary
from 125 to 158 to 180 gr.

More about the .357 Magnum and revolvers

that shoot it.

Price: ~80 cents

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

.38 Special vs .357 Magnum

.30 Carbine

Light rifle round designed for the M1 Carbine that

was introduced in the 1940s.  Used in service
even up to the Korean war, the round and rifle still
have a popular following in the civilian world.  The
standard bullet is 110 gr.

Price: ~40 cents

.300 Blackout

Designed to give the ballistic performance of the

larger .30 caliber AK 7.62x39mm round but
designed for the AR-15 and using standard
magazines at normal capacity.  Thus, the case is a
shortened 5.56 case to fit reliably.  Getting more
popular as it is a great round for suppressed
shooting out of short barrels.  Bullet weight ranges
from 110-220 grain.

Price: ~70 cents

Basic Bullet Guide: Sizes, Calibers, and Types - Pew Pew Tactical

.300 Blackout vs 5.56

7.62x54mmR

Designed by the Russians for their Mosin-Nagant,

and then used in more than a dozen guns ranging
from rifles to LMGs, and still in use today in the
Dragunov and other sniper rifles, which makes it
the oldest cartridge still in combat use.  Slightly
more recoil than a .308 Winchester.  Bullet weight
is around 140-200 gr.

Price: ~60 cents

.30-06 Springfield

The “thirty-aught-six” is one of the US’s oldest

cartridges, introduced in 1906 and the primary
military ammo for almost 50 years.  Strong recoil,
and with it range, but tolerable by most shooters
which makes it still beloved by many shooters
around the world.  Bullet weight is around 150-180
gr.

Price: ~$1.50