confusing numbers

10millybilly

September 10, 2002 07:38

I am trying to learn more about firearms and specific calibers so I have bought a few books to read.One is the 2003 shooters bible and in the back it has various calibers and bullets.I do not understand why if a bullet is named like .44 or .38 that it does not shoot a .44 or .38 caliber bullet it shoots something smaller.The book says .44 is really .42 and .38 is really .357.I see this on alot of rounds these are just examples but why is this the case?Something else I dont understand is what measurement names the millimeter rounds like 9mm and 10mm?I know 9mm bullets are .355 and 10mm bulets are .400 so how do they get the millimeter title?

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  Piadea

  September 10, 2002 08:17

  First of all you're not the only one who has ever asked this question. The quick answer is: yes, you're right it doesn't make much sense so don't try to understand it. The long answer is that in a lot of cases, manufactures were just trying to make the NAMES of their cartridges sound different or better than another company's. In the case of millimeters, most of these are of European origin where the metric system is used. In any event over the years bullet diameter verses name of bullet has become a traditional rather than scientific exercise. Hope this helps.

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  22WRF

  September 10, 2002 09:38

  32 Colt is .299
  32 Colt NP is .312
  32 Colt Auto is .311
  32 S&W is .313
  31 Colt Cap & Ball is .323
  
  32 is just a nice round number
  
  
  
  
  I Refuse to be a VictimGrumpy old man
  
  Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of All Those that Threaten it

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  duckhunter

  September 10, 2002 10:36

  WHERE DO YOU MEASURE?? THE GROOVE OR THE LAND??
  
  I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.

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  Der Gebirgsjager

  September 10, 2002 10:44

  It would seem that there is no rhyme or reason to the naming of cartridges---even as practiced today. It makes a very interesting study, if you wish to explore it further. "Cartridges of the World", Frank C. Barnes, is a good place to start. Some bear their designations for commercial appeal, like "6mm Remington". Some are descriptive of the caliber and case length, like 6.5x55mm. Some describe the caliber and powder loading, like .30-30 Win. Some, like .30-06, describe the caliber and year of adoption. The way in which cartridges are named are many, but it would take a two page post to cover it all.

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