Caliber Comparison Tool
Compare cartridges side by side — velocity, energy, recoil, range, and typical use.
Figures are representative of common factory loads; exact numbers vary by bullet and barrel length. Green marks the higher velocity/energy/range or the lower recoil.
How it works
The classic gun-store debates — 9mm vs .45, .223 vs .308, .30-30 vs 6.5 Creedmoor — come down to tradeoffs in velocity, energy, recoil, capacity, cost, and intended use. This tool lays two cartridges side by side with representative numbers so you can see those tradeoffs at a glance instead of arguing from gut feel.
Use it to pick a first handgun caliber, choose a deer cartridge, or understand why a round behaves the way it does. The figures are representative of common factory loads — exact numbers vary by bullet and barrel length — but the relationships between cartridges hold true and are exactly what you need to make a smart choice.
Educational estimates only — always verify zero and data by shooting, and follow all safety rules.