Understanding bullet calibres and what they are best for

It is important to identify what your needs are before purchasing a rifle as well as knowing what a calibre is and what its power consists of. In the process of identifying these needs, the one question that should pop up in your mind should be which will be the best calibre to choose from.

Calibre’s explained

A calibre is the diameter of a bullet which is measured in millimetres or inches. The word calibre refers only to the metal projectile, whereas a cartridge is the entirety of the round fired.

When using the metric way of metering (mm), the following examples can be used to explain the calibre sizes:

  1. • Nine millimetre is 9mm in diameter.

If you prefer the American measurement, the measurement will work as follows:

  1. • A twenty-two is twenty-two one hundredths (22/100’s) of an inch in diameter.

Comparing calibres depending on your target

In reality, there is no perfect rifle cartridge for each game animal when hunting. Each calibre is good for a spectrum of game, at the one end the calibre might be too light, preventing a clean kill , whereas at the other end it could cause excessive damage to the meat or trophy.

Taking this into account, the following is only an indication of the calibre size to use depending on the animal size:

  1. Small Game
    • This includes rabbits, squirrels and foxes with a weight between 0.9 – 7 kg. The most popular rimfire calibres for this size target include .17 HMR and .22 to use at a range of 100 meters. For centrefire calibres, .222 Rem and .223 Rem sizes are applicable with a soft-, or hollow-point.
  2. Medium Game
    • This game includes warthogs, impalas and smaller African antelope. Any calibre between the range of .243 Win and .35 Rem, and with ranges up till 300 meters will secure a good kill.
  3. Large Game
    • This includes eland, zebras, kudus and crocodiles, weighing up to 300kg and shooting at a distance of 300 meters. The best calibre to use for this size of animal requires a minimum of .308.
  4. Dangerous Game
    • Thick-skinned animals would be the best way to describe the type of animal that falls under this category. Weighing between 300kg and often exceeding 350kg. The best technique for this type of animal would be to not be further away than 70 meters to secure a clean kill. The best calibre bullet would be a 250 – 750gr +, non-expanding solid bullet point, above a .375 H&H.

4 Factors to take into consideration when choosing a bullet calibre size

After you have made the decision on what you would like to hunt, the following units and factors are also important to take into consideration to get the perfect bullet calibre:

  1. 1. Energy: Approximate power per round.
  2. 2. Bullet weight: Stopping power trait.
  3. 3. Velocity: Speed of the bullet.
  4. 4. The price point: Price per single round.

Before you take the leap into making a big decision like this, speak with a Safari Outdoor specialist about which calibre would best work for the purpose that you will be using it for. After that you can shoot away!

If you have any questions, contact us or visit your nearest Safari Outdoor branch, or you can send a mail to [email protected]. Also feel free to share them with us in the comments below.

Sources:

  1. Gun News Daily: Rifle Calibre Guide
  2. The Gun Zone: Bullet Sizes, Calibers and Types
  3. The Firearms Guide: What is Calibre
  4. NRA Family: Which Ammunition for Which Game Animal
  5. Quora: What Game Can You Hunt With .308 Caliber
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