What Does Bullet Grain Mean?<\/strong><\/h4>\n![\"Rifle](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bullets-on-table-1024x553.jpg\" "\\"Various")
<\/p>\n
To start this discussion, let\u2019s begin with an explanation of the basic unit of measurement for bullet weight: grains.<\/p>\n
This unit, which is often abbreviated as \u201cgr\u201d is equal to one 7,000th of a pound. (Another way to say this is that one pound equals 7,000 grains; one ounce is equal to 437.5 grains.)<\/p>\n
You will often see bullets listed with the grain size before the bullet type. For example, 9mm rounds may be listed as \u201c115 gr FMJ.\u201d This tells us that the cartridge is loaded with full metal jacket bullets that weigh 115 grains.<\/p>\n
As you learn more about ammunition, you will find that cartridges have a wide range of bullet sizes. The smallest commonly-used bullet size is likely 15 grains, which is found in some .17 HMR cartridges. However, you can find cartridges with bullets over 600 grain, which are found in products for the .50 BMG.<\/p>\n
Most Cartridges Have a General Range of Bullet Weights<\/strong><\/p>\nBullet size within a given cartridge can vary, but there is a general range of size for each ammunition cartridge. For example, AR-15 ammunition<\/a> has a standard size of 55 grains, but you can purchase ammo for your .223 rifle with bullets ranging from below 40 to over 70 grain. Likewise, 9mm Luger cartridges have bullets from 60 to 160 grains.<\/p>\nThe point is that even when you purchase a given firearm to shoot a specific cartridge, you still have options for bullet size. (As well as bullet type.)<\/p>\n
How Does Bullet Grain Weight Impact Shooting?<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Testing](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/velocity-and-bullet-weight-1024x571.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Bullet weight makes a difference on how the bullet performs. It will impact how the firearm recoils, and it will have an impact on the overall trajectory of the bullet. Finally, it will impact terminal ballistics, changing how the bullet performs once it strikes a target.<\/p>\n
When thinking about bullet weight, it\u2019s important to think about how you will be using the cartridge. If you are simply \u201cplinking,\u201d that is, casually shooting smaller cartridges at a short to medium distance, weight is not really a concern for you. For most plinkers, you\u2019ll simply want to purchase the ammunition that best fits your budget.<\/p>\n
If you are shooting for maximum accuracy, however, the bullet weight matters, but it\u2019s not as simple as saying heavier or lighter bullets are better.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what we can say: a lighter bullet generally has greater speed, which means it can often maintain a straighter trajectory at a greater distance. However, a light bullet delivers less energy and is susceptible to wind, which means it can be blown off target much easier than heavier bullet. So from an accuracy perspective, neither is absolutely better.<\/p>\n
Field Test: HST Velocity & Energy<\/h4>\n
To understand these points, let\u2019s look at two products from Federal Ammunition.<\/p>\n
We took some of their most popular self-defense ammo for 9mm pistols,\u00a0HSTs in 124 grain<\/a> and HSTs 147 grain<\/a>. This ammo is the same brand, line and is even loaded with the same bullet. So, what does a 23 grain differential mean for muzzle velocity? A lot, apparently.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/th>\n 124 Grain HST<\/th>\n 147 Grain HST<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\nShot 1<\/strong><\/td>\n1082 fps<\/td>\n 949 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nShot 2<\/strong><\/td>\n1082 fps<\/td>\n 922 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nShot 3<\/strong><\/td>\n1064 fps<\/td>\n 954 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nShot 4<\/strong><\/td>\n1065 fps<\/td>\n 939 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nShot 5<\/strong><\/td>\n1073 fps<\/td>\n 935 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nSo what, it’s still a bullet speeding at about 1,000 feet per second and that’s going to hurt, right?<\/p>\n
Sure.<\/p>\n
But, the implications on energy into the target are significant.<\/p>\n
The five shot average muzzle velocity for the lighter 124 grain bullet is 1073 feet per second. When you calculate the muzzle energy<\/a> for this bullet, you come up with 317 foot pounds.<\/p>\nThe five shot average muzzle velocity for the heavier 147 grain bullet was just under 940 feet per second. That is a muzzle energy of 288 foot pounds.<\/p>\n
Why does it matter? If you’re a believer in muzzle energy and the idea of putting as much energy into your target as possible to stop a threat, this bucks the trend that “bigger is better” when it comes to bullets. In this case, the lighter bullet, moving faster delivers more energy.<\/p>\n
\n \n \n \n
<\/p>\nBullet size within a given cartridge can vary, but there is a general range of size for each ammunition cartridge. For example, AR-15 ammunition<\/a> has a standard size of 55 grains, but you can purchase ammo for your .223 rifle with bullets ranging from below 40 to over 70 grain. Likewise, 9mm Luger cartridges have bullets from 60 to 160 grains.<\/p>\n The point is that even when you purchase a given firearm to shoot a specific cartridge, you still have options for bullet size. (As well as bullet type.)<\/p>\n Bullet weight makes a difference on how the bullet performs. It will impact how the firearm recoils, and it will have an impact on the overall trajectory of the bullet. Finally, it will impact terminal ballistics, changing how the bullet performs once it strikes a target.<\/p>\n When thinking about bullet weight, it\u2019s important to think about how you will be using the cartridge. If you are simply \u201cplinking,\u201d that is, casually shooting smaller cartridges at a short to medium distance, weight is not really a concern for you. For most plinkers, you\u2019ll simply want to purchase the ammunition that best fits your budget.<\/p>\n If you are shooting for maximum accuracy, however, the bullet weight matters, but it\u2019s not as simple as saying heavier or lighter bullets are better.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what we can say: a lighter bullet generally has greater speed, which means it can often maintain a straighter trajectory at a greater distance. However, a light bullet delivers less energy and is susceptible to wind, which means it can be blown off target much easier than heavier bullet. So from an accuracy perspective, neither is absolutely better.<\/p>\n To understand these points, let\u2019s look at two products from Federal Ammunition.<\/p>\n We took some of their most popular self-defense ammo for 9mm pistols,\u00a0HSTs in 124 grain<\/a> and HSTs 147 grain<\/a>. This ammo is the same brand, line and is even loaded with the same bullet. So, what does a 23 grain differential mean for muzzle velocity? A lot, apparently.<\/p>\n So what, it’s still a bullet speeding at about 1,000 feet per second and that’s going to hurt, right?<\/p>\n Sure.<\/p>\n But, the implications on energy into the target are significant.<\/p>\n The five shot average muzzle velocity for the lighter 124 grain bullet is 1073 feet per second. When you calculate the muzzle energy<\/a> for this bullet, you come up with 317 foot pounds.<\/p>\n The five shot average muzzle velocity for the heavier 147 grain bullet was just under 940 feet per second. That is a muzzle energy of 288 foot pounds.<\/p>\n Why does it matter? If you’re a believer in muzzle energy and the idea of putting as much energy into your target as possible to stop a threat, this bucks the trend that “bigger is better” when it comes to bullets. In this case, the lighter bullet, moving faster delivers more energy.<\/p>\nHow Does Bullet Grain Weight Impact Shooting?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nField Test: HST Velocity & Energy<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n \n<\/th>\n 124 Grain HST<\/th>\n 147 Grain HST<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Shot 1<\/strong><\/td>\n 1082 fps<\/td>\n 949 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shot 2<\/strong><\/td>\n 1082 fps<\/td>\n 922 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shot 3<\/strong><\/td>\n 1064 fps<\/td>\n 954 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shot 4<\/strong><\/td>\n 1065 fps<\/td>\n 939 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shot 5<\/strong><\/td>\n 1073 fps<\/td>\n 935 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
![\"product\"](\"https:\/\/static-cdn.ammunitiontogo.com\/pimages\/image\/512x\/e0266470459c8672771a1cb2d1bebeb3\/a\/f\/aff2787e338dd7ee4b246da329bf42b6_4.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n ![\"logo\"](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/themes\/atg\/assets\/img\/mc-logo-gray.svg\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n ![\"product\"](\"https:\/\/static-cdn.ammunitiontogo.com\/pimages\/image\/512x\/e0266470459c8672771a1cb2d1bebeb3\/d\/f\/df3e4b96e525ec1c06bc928864a3eb20_4.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n ![\"left](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/themes\/atg\/assets\/img\/mc-arrow-left.svg\"){kind=icon}
\n <\/div>\n ![\"right](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/themes\/atg\/assets\/img\/mc-arrow-right.svg\"){kind=icon}
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Shooting](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Impact-on-recoil-1024x675.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Picking](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Selecting-a-bullet-and-ammo-1024x637.png\")
<\/p>\n