If we are honest with ourselves, none of us were experts in bullet sizes and styles overnight. To newcomers to the world of guns, finding the right caliber of gun, alone, can be a daunting task. To help those new to the field, we’ve taken the time to explain the standard calibers you’ll find on our website, as well as in many sporting goods stores around the country. This is not an exhaustive list. Instead, let it serve as a guide to help you choose which caliber works best for you.

Pistol Calibers

For simplicity sake, there are four basic calibers you will find in pistols. That’s not to say there aren’t other calibers out there, but the average shooter will see these four:

• .380-The .380 is often referred to as the “9mm short.” That’s only because the bullet is the same size as that found in the 9mm cartridge. The difference, though, is in the amount of powder used in the cartridge. Though the debate over which is better, the .380 or 9mm, is still ongoing, it is safe to say that the .380 is effective at close ranges. That’s why it’s the go-to round for many small, “pocket” guns.
• 9mm- Known also as the “9X19mm Parabellum” or “9mm Luger,” these two terms describe the same round. This is a favorite among many shooters, and especially Law Enforcement Agencies, due to its low cost and stopping power. While they are cheap to shoot, the round also can stop most threats.
• .40-This is the big brother to the 9mm. The projectile on the .40 caliber is slightly bigger than the 9mm and will often have more powder behind it. It is still relatively cheap to shoot, but offers only a slight increase in stopping power.
• .45 ACP- The largest of these four, the .45 is the most iconic caliber in pistols. Designed originally for the famous 1911 pistol, this round is designed to stop any threat, big or small. In fact, it’s stopping power, alone, is enough for many shooters to choose it for their self-defense guns. If you shoot the .45, be prepared for some major recoil action.

Rifle Calibers

When it comes to shooting rifles, your caliber of choice will greatly change the way you shoot. These are the three basic rifle cartridge sizes you will encounter.

• 62X39mm-This size is customarily for an AK-47. It’s designed to shoot with little recoil, with usually only 123 grains of powder. The availability of this round makes it extremely affordable to shoot.
• .223/5.56X45mm-You’ll often find these rounds being interchangeable, especially when shooting a .223 round in a 5.56 rifle. This is because they are nearly the same in dimensions. However, the 5.56 shoots at a higher pressure, so never shoot a 5.56 round in a gun meant only for .223.
• .308-This size is popular in hunting and sniper guns due to its amazing stopping power and accuracy, along with an average amount of recoil. This size can be a little more expensive than the other rifle rounds. Therefore, it’s not a popular range gun.

With this knowledge in mind, find the size the best fits your budget and shooting needs. The best think is that every one of these sizes are easy to reload.