"standard weight for caliber bullets"

Newton24b · May 17, 2013, 11:14 PM

people talk about "standard weight for caliber" bullets in reference to trailboss. it seems since about 1970 there is no real standard weight limit for particular cartridge calibers. sure the original load for a 45 colt was 250-260 grain lrnfl, but 300 grains is 'standard' for saami 45 colt.... and 270-290 is "standard" in many manuals as well.

so how do we really truly determine if a bullet is standard weight for the caliber? the original release of a cartridge, ie only 150 grain bullets allowed for 30-06?

Adamantium · May 17, 2013, 11:53 PM

Sometimes it is what the original loading was for, sometimes it is what most fixed sight guns are sighted in for (at least for handgun) and for military cartridges it can be the most popular service load. For example the 45acp was originally designed to shoot a 200gr bullet at 900fps but the universally accepted standard load is a 230gr bullet shot at 830-850fps because that is what the military used.

If you have a specific application in mind while reloading ammo, the "standard", most popular or military loading don't really matter that much. If that's what you end up using it is more a matter of coincidence.

Newton24b · May 18, 2013, 08:11 AM

ever tossed a 3-350 grain piece of lead down range with trail boss out of your SAA?

May 17, 2013, 11:14 PM	#1
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	"standard weight for caliber bullets" people talk about "standard weight for caliber" bullets in reference to trailboss. it seems since about 1970 there is no real standard weight limit for particular cartridge calibers. sure the original load for a 45 colt was 250-260 grain lrnfl, but 300 grains is 'standard' for saami 45 colt.... and 270-290 is "standard" in many manuals as well. so how do we really truly determine if a bullet is standard weight for the caliber? the original release of a cartridge, ie only 150 grain bullets allowed for 30-06?

May 17, 2013, 11:53 PM	#2
Adamantium Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 1999 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,021	Sometimes it is what the original loading was for, sometimes it is what most fixed sight guns are sighted in for (at least for handgun) and for military cartridges it can be the most popular service load. For example the 45acp was originally designed to shoot a 200gr bullet at 900fps but the universally accepted standard load is a 230gr bullet shot at 830-850fps because that is what the military used. If you have a specific application in mind while reloading ammo, the "standard", most popular or military loading don't really matter that much. If that's what you end up using it is more a matter of coincidence. __________________ New gun, same ol' shot.

May 18, 2013, 08:11 AM	#3
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	ever tossed a 3-350 grain piece of lead down range with trail boss out of your SAA?