45-70 Ammo: The Three Pressure Levels Explained
Every 45-70 round fits every 45-70 rifle; not every round is safe in one. The three pressure tiers, in the ammunition makers’ own published words.
-
-
44 Magnum Ammo: Ballistics and Barrel Length
One 44 Magnum load runs 1,466 fps from a 4-inch revolver and 1,935 from a 20-inch carbine. Published ballistics, barrel lengths and firearm restrictions.
-
30-30 Ammo: Ballistics, Bullets and Lever Guns
Why 30-30 bullets are flat-nosed, what elastomer tips changed, and the published ballistics for every current load — with the test barrels named.
-
12 Gauge Shotgun Shells: Sizes, Loads and the Law
A shell too long for your chamber still fits — and raises pressure. Shot sizes, published loads, and what federal law actually requires for waterfowl.
-
20 Gauge Shells: Loads, Pressure and the 12 Gauge Trade
A 3-inch 20 gauge shell buys payload, not pressure — SAAMI rates both lengths the same. Published loads, slugs and how it really compares with 12.
-
6mm ARC Ballistics: Drop, Energy and Every Load
Every published 6mm ARC figure comes from a 24-inch barrel. Full trajectory tables, all eleven factory loads, and what a shorter barrel actually costs.
-
Rifle Recoil Chart: Built From SAAMI’s Formula, Inputs Shown
No maker publishes recoil, so we computed it from SAAMI’s own formula — and printed every input beside every answer, so you can check the arithmetic.
-
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.
-
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.
-
What Is a Caliber? The Number Is Not the Bullet
SAAMI uses the word “caliber” eight times and never defines it. What the number actually measures, why the bullet is always wider, and where the rule breaks.
