The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Can a small caliber be as powerful as a big one?

T. O'Heir · January 20, 2020, 01:52 PM

Neither a gun nor a cartridge has "stopping power". Physics doesn't allow it.
"...the same amount of powder..." Which powder will matter.
"...larger bore will have a larger velocity..." Not necessarily.
The issue here is the lack of comparable data. As in like bullet weights, powders and barrel lengths in 2 chamberings. There are no 100 grain .22 handgun bullets and very few if any .22 100 grain rifle bullets. No data for 'em anyway.
"...a higher BC..." That doesn't matter. Ballistic Coefficient is about how a bullet travels through the air. Has nothing to do with anything else.

January 20, 2020, 01:52 PM	#18
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Neither a gun nor a cartridge has "stopping power". Physics doesn't allow it. "...the same amount of powder..." Which powder will matter. "...larger bore will have a larger velocity..." Not necessarily. The issue here is the lack of comparable data. As in like bullet weights, powders and barrel lengths in 2 chamberings. There are no 100 grain .22 handgun bullets and very few if any .22 100 grain rifle bullets. No data for 'em anyway. "...a higher BC..." That doesn't matter. Ballistic Coefficient is about how a bullet travels through the air. Has nothing to do with anything else. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!