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

big al hunter · February 14, 2020, 02:27 AM

Given the same powder charge in both barrels....the larger caliber will have less velocity because the powder has more volume of barrel to fill. Therefore generating less pressure. Lower velocity plus wider frontal surface area equals far less penetration. Depending on the target, this could be what changes the equation. Shallow penetration may not stop the target at all. Something to think about.

February 14, 2020, 02:27 AM	#24
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	Given the same powder charge in both barrels....the larger caliber will have less velocity because the powder has more volume of barrel to fill. Therefore generating less pressure. Lower velocity plus wider frontal surface area equals far less penetration. Depending on the target, this could be what changes the equation. Shallow penetration may not stop the target at all. Something to think about. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!