Cartridges at a glance
Sixteen cartridges, four groups. Compare their basic dimensions and published examples, then open the detailed profile for context.
These groups are editorial guidance, not official competition classes. Uses can overlap. Similar names do not establish interchangeability; ammunition, range and match eligibility must be checked separately.
No matching cartridge.
The table can be scrolled horizontally. Use the detailed profile for explanations and original sources.
Centre-fire precision sport
| Cartridge | Case length | Bullet diameter | Overall cartridge length | Muzzle energy E₀ | Range context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .308 Winchester A common rifle cartridge for sport and hunting. Different ammunition versions use different bullets and have different performance figures. Detailed profile | 51.18 mm | 7.82 mm | 71.12 mm | 3509–3685 J (source examples) | Sporting guidance according to PGM: 500 m / 546.8 yrd – 1000 m / 1093.6 yrd. Not a fixed performance limit. |
| 6mm Creedmoor A distinct cartridge within the Creedmoor name family. It is not the same as 6.5 Creedmoor or other 6-mm cartridges. Detailed profile | 48.77 mm | 6.18 mm | 71.12 mm | 2849 J (7.0 g ELD Match; catalogue 2020) | Sporting guidance according to PGM: 800 m / 874.9 yrd – 1200 m / 1312.3 yrd. Not a fixed performance limit. |
| 6.5 Creedmoor A rifle cartridge widely used in precision sport, abbreviated 6.5 CM. Specific performance figures depend on the ammunition version and test conditions. Detailed profile | 48.80 mm | 6.72 mm | 71.80 mm | 3095–3290 J (source examples) | Sporting guidance according to PGM: 600 m / 656.2 yrd – 1000 m / 1093.6 yrd and beyond. Not a fixed performance limit. |
Magnum cartridges
| Cartridge | Case length | Bullet diameter | Overall cartridge length | Muzzle energy E₀ | Range context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 PRC A distinct cartridge in the PRC family. PRC means Precision Rifle Cartridge. It is not the same as 6.5 Creedmoor. Detailed profile | 51.56 mm | 6.72 mm | 75.06 mm | 3747 J (9.5 g ELD Match; catalogue 2020) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
| 7mm PRC A distinct rifle cartridge in the PRC family. PRC means Precision Rifle Cartridge. Detailed profile | 57.91 mm | 7.22 mm | 84.84 mm | approximately 4663 J (11.66 g ELD Match; converted) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
| .300 PRC A distinct rifle cartridge in the .30 group. PRC means Precision Rifle Cartridge; other PRC cartridges are not automatically identical or interchangeable. Detailed profile | 65.53 mm | 7.83 mm | 93.98 mm | 5348 J (14.6 g ELD Match; catalogue 2020) | Sporting guidance according to PGM: approximately 1200 m / 1312.3 yrd – 1500 m / 1640.4 yrd. Not a fixed performance limit. |
| .300 Winchester Magnum A well-known magnum cartridge for hunting, sport and professional use. Its actual performance depends on the ammunition used. Detailed profile | 66.55 mm | 7.82 mm | 84.84 mm | 4919–5600 J (source examples) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
| .300 Norma Magnum A distinct magnum cartridge named .300 Norma Magnum. It is not the same cartridge as .300 Winchester Magnum. Detailed profile | 63.30 mm | 7.83 mm | 93.50 mm | 5971 J (source example) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
| .338 Lapua Magnum A magnum rifle cartridge often associated with precision shooting at long distances. Its abbreviation is .338 LM. Detailed profile | 69.20 mm | 8.61 mm | 93.50 mm | 6782–6973 J (source examples) | Application distance according to PGM: approximately 1500 m / 1640.4 yrd – 1750 m / 1913.8 yrd. Not a fixed performance limit. |
| .338 Norma Magnum A distinct cartridge named .338 Norma Magnum. It must be distinguished from .338 Lapua Magnum. Detailed profile | 63.30 mm | 8.60 mm | 93.50 mm | 6585 J (source example) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
Specialist and ELR cartridges
| Cartridge | Case length | Bullet diameter | Overall cartridge length | Muzzle energy E₀ | Range context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .375 CheyTac A large rifle cartridge used in sport at exceptionally long distances, a field known as ELR. Detailed profile | 76.91 mm | 9.53 mm | 113.40 mm | 9294–10499 J (source examples) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
| .375 SWISS P A distinct rifle cartridge from Switzerland. .375 CheyTac is a different cartridge, even though both names begin with the same number. Detailed profile | 69.85 mm | 9.55 mm | 93.50 mm | 8492 J (FMJ example; test barrel 762 mm) | Supersonic range according to Wikipedia: approximately 1600 m / 1749.8 yrd with factory FMJ ammunition at sea-level conditions. |
| .408 CheyTac A large cartridge for specialised precision rifles. CheyTac is part of its full name. Detailed profile | 77.21 mm | 10.36 mm | 115.50 mm | 11247–11352 J (source examples) | Wikipedia cites a manufacturer's figure of more than 2011.7 m / 2200 yrd supersonic range for a particular bullet under standard atmospheric conditions; not a general calibre limit. |
| .416 Barrett A large rifle cartridge used, among other applications, in sport at exceptionally long distances, known as ELR. Detailed profile | 83.06 mm | 10.57 mm | 118.11 mm | 11887 J (source example) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
| .50 BMG A large-calibre rifle cartridge, also called 12.7 × 99 mm or .50BMG. BMG means Browning Machine Gun. It also appears in specialised ELR sports formats. Detailed profile | 99.31 mm | 12.98 mm | 138.43 mm | 17952–18942 J (source examples) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
Rimfire
| Cartridge | Case length | Bullet diameter | Overall cartridge length | Muzzle energy E₀ | Range context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .22 l.r. .22 l.r. is a common small-bore rimfire cartridge, also called .22 lfB in German-speaking countries. Detailed profile | 15.57 mm | 5.66–5.73 mm | 25.40 mm | 178 J (source example) | No sufficiently qualified range figure was taken from the reviewed sources. |
How to read the figures
What the dimensions mean
Case length measures the case without the bullet; overall length measures the complete cartridge. Bullet diameter is distinct from bore calibre. Sources may give nominal or maximum dimensions, so rounded figures can differ slightly. This overview is not a dimensioned standard drawing and does not establish interchangeability.
Understanding energy
E₀ is kinetic energy at the muzzle. It depends on bullet mass and velocity. These figures refer to selected examples from the sources, not every load of this calibre. Bullet design, barrel length and test conditions affect the result. A range of examples is neither a complete market comparison nor guaranteed minimum and maximum performance.
Understanding range
A sporting application distance describes a use case. Supersonic range is the distance over which a particular bullet remains faster than sound under specified conditions. Both differ from maximum flight distance. The cartridge name alone cannot provide a reliable range limit without load and condition details. These distances are neither hunting recommendations nor safety distances.