45-70 vs 30-30: Power, Range and Which Lever Gun
The .30-30 runs at higher pressure than the .45-70, and by 300 yards a tipped .30-30 matches it for energy. What the published figures actually say.
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357 vs 44 Magnum: Same Pressure, Different Bullet
Both are loaded to almost the same pressure — 35,000 psi against 36,000. The .44’s advantage is bullet weight, not intensity. Published figures throughout.
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38 Special vs 9mm: Nearly the Same Bullet, Double the Pressure
The bullets are two thousandths of an inch apart. The pressure ceilings are more than double. One maker’s line loaded in both settles the energy question.
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38 Special vs 357 Magnum: Same Bullet, Twice the Pressure
Identical bullet, identical rim, 0.135 inches of case length apart — and one is loaded to twice the pressure. Why the interchangeability runs one way.
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22 LR vs 22 Magnum: Same Pressure, Twice the Case
Both are loaded to 24,000 psi and tested in the same 24-inch barrel. The Magnum’s speed comes from a case 72% longer — and its bullet is narrower.
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12 Gauge vs 20 Gauge: More Shot, Not More Pressure
The 20 gauge is rated to a higher pressure than the 12. What the bigger bore buys is payload — 29% more shot at the same speed, on the same load.
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10mm vs 45 ACP: 37,500 psi Against 21,000
Same test barrel, same rifling, nearly double the pressure. Federal’s HST in both is 567 ft-lb against 404 — and the 10mm spans 600 fps across the catalogue.
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9mm vs 40 S&W: Same Pressure, Different Bullet
Both are loaded to 35,000 psi and tested in the same 4-inch barrel. Hornady publishes both at 1,010 fps — which makes the comparison unusually clean.
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270 vs 308: Which Is Higher Pressure Depends on the Test
SAAMI rates the .270 at 65,000 psi and the .308 at 62,000 — but by copper crusher both are 52,000. The real difference is 13 inches of drop at 500 yards.
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308 vs 7.62×51: There Is No SAAMI Standard for the NATO Round
SAAMI’s rifle standard never mentions 7.62×51 NATO. The military spec limits it to 50,000 psi by crusher — and SAAMI’s own warning is about headspace, not pressure.
