The right caliber depends on the job: 9mm for defense and range time, .308 and .30-06 for big game, 6.5 Creedmoor for modern long range.
The right caliber depends on the job. For everyday defense and range time, 9mm is the value king — mild recoil, high capacity, cheap practice. For big handguns and hunting, step up to .357 Magnum, 10mm, or .44 Magnum. For rifles, 5.56/.223 rules for AR-15s and varmints, .308 and .30-06 cover most big game, and 6.5 Creedmoor is the modern long-range favorite. The chart below lists typical factory-load figures — search or sort by any column.
Caliber & cartridge comparison chart
Type to filter, or click a column to sort. Figures are typical factory loads; exact velocity and energy vary by bullet weight, barrel length and manufacturer.
Here is how I read this chart
Every number in this table is a published figure, copied from the source named underneath it — none of it is my own measurement. The card shows the top rows; the complete table is further down this page. Read across a row to compare one entry, and down a column to compare them all on the same measure.
| Cartridge | Bullet dia. | Typical bullet | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handgun cartridges | |||||
| .22 LR | .223 in | 36–40 gr | ~1,050 fps | ~100 ft·lb | Plinking, small game, training |
| .380 ACP | .355 in | 90–100 gr | ~1,000 fps | ~200 ft·lb | Pocket / deep-concealment carry |
| 9mm Luger | .355 in | 115–147 gr | ~1,150 fps | ~350–380 ft·lb | The all-round defense & duty standard |
| .38 Special | .357 in | 110–158 gr | ~800–900 fps | ~200–300 ft·lb | Revolver carry, easy shooting |
| .357 Magnum | .357 in | 125–158 gr | ~1,250 fps | ~550 ft·lb | Revolver defense & light hunting |
| .40 S&W | .400 in | 165–180 gr | ~1,000 fps | ~400–500 ft·lb | Law-enforcement / defense |
| .45 ACP | .451 in | 230 gr | ~850 fps | ~370–400 ft·lb | Big-bullet defense, low velocity |
| 10mm Auto | .400 in | 155–200 gr | ~1,300 fps | ~650–700 ft·lb | Hunting & bear defense, hard-hitting |
| .44 Magnum | .429 in | 240 gr | ~1,350 fps | ~1,000 ft·lb | Big-game revolver, heavy recoil |
| 5.7x28mm | .224 in | 40 gr | ~2,000 fps | ~350 ft·lb | PDW / high-capacity, flat-shooting |
| Rifle cartridges | |||||
| .223 Rem / 5.56 NATO | .224 in | 55–62 gr | ~3,200 fps | ~1,250 ft·lb | AR-15, varmint & home defense |
| .300 Blackout | .308 in | 110–220 gr | ~1,000–2,300 fps | ~500–1,350 ft·lb | AR platform, suppressed & subsonic |
| 7.62x39mm | .312 in | 122–124 gr | ~2,350 fps | ~1,500 ft·lb | AK platform, mid-range |
| .243 Win | .243 in | 90–100 gr | ~2,960 fps | ~1,950 ft·lb | Deer & varmint, low recoil |
| .30-30 Win | .308 in | 150–170 gr | ~2,300 fps | ~1,900 ft·lb | Lever-action deer, brush gun |
| .350 Legend | .357 in | 145–180 gr | ~2,100–2,300 fps | ~1,800 ft·lb | Straight-wall states deer hunting |
| 6.5 Creedmoor | .264 in | 120–147 gr | ~2,700 fps | ~2,280 ft·lb | Long-range target & big game |
| .308 Win / 7.62 NATO | .308 in | 150–175 gr | ~2,700 fps | ~2,650 ft·lb | Hunting, precision, battle rifle |
| .30-06 Springfield | .308 in | 150–180 gr | ~2,750 fps | ~2,900 ft·lb | All-round North American big game |
| .45-70 Govt | .458 in | 300–405 gr | ~1,600–1,900 fps | ~2,000–2,700 ft·lb | Big-bore, heavy game at short range |
What each of these cartridges actually costs to shoot is tracked separately, in the ammo price history and price per round table.
How to choose a caliber
Match the cartridge to the task, then to your tolerance for recoil and cost. For concealed carry, capacity and controllability usually beat raw power — which is why 9mm dominates. For deer, most states are well served by .243, .30-30, .308 or .30-06; check whether yours is a straight-wall state (where .350 Legend or .45-70 shine). For long range, high-ballistic-coefficient bullets in 6.5 Creedmoor buck the wind better than heavier, slower rounds.
Caliber FAQ
9mm vs .45 ACP — which is better?
They deliver similar energy by different means: 9mm sends a lighter bullet fast with mild recoil and higher capacity, while .45 ACP pushes a heavy, wide bullet slowly. Modern defensive ammo has narrowed the old gap, so most shooters now pick 9mm for capacity, controllability and cheaper practice. See our full 9mm vs .45 ACP breakdown.
.308 vs .30-06 — what is the difference?
Both fire a .308-inch bullet with very similar hunting performance. The .30-06 has a slightly larger case, giving a small edge with heavy bullets and long-range loads, while the shorter .308 fits compact actions and is common in precision rifles. For most hunters the difference is marginal — see our full .308 vs .30-06 comparison.
What is the best all-around rifle caliber?
For North American big game, the .30-06 and .308 remain the classic do-it-all choices — ammo is everywhere and they handle deer through elk. If long-range accuracy matters more than heavy game, 6.5 Creedmoor is the modern favorite.
What caliber is best for home defense?
For a handgun, 9mm is the mainstream choice for its balance of stopping power, capacity and low recoil. For a rifle, 5.56/.223 is popular and effective. Choose defensive (expanding) ammunition and train with what you carry.
What does muzzle energy tell me?
Muzzle energy (in foot-pounds) is the kinetic energy of the bullet as it leaves the barrel — a rough proxy for hitting power. It is useful for comparison, but bullet construction, shot placement and how the bullet performs in the target matter just as much.
All figures are typical factory-load values for comparison only and vary with bullet weight, barrel length, and manufacturer — always consult the ammunition maker’s published data and follow safe handling and local law. This chart is educational and is not load or reloading data.