Weight

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The weight of a bullet is normally measured in grains using a balance. There are 7000 grains per pound or 437.5 grains per ounce.

The weight of a relatively intact bullet is a partial indicator of the type(s) of cartridge that may have contained the bullet. Weight is one of the factors used to determine cartridge type(s).

Weight in grains of bullet
Courtesy of Ronnie Freels Weight in grams of bullet pieces. 53.6g

Weight in grains of
bullet fragments
Courtesy of Ronnie Freels

In the following chart, the weight of a bullet in grains corresponds to possible cartridge type(s). A bullet weight may overlap several cartridge types, indicating that more data are needed to narrow the field.

Range of Bullet Weights for Various Cartridge Types
CARTRIDGE	WEIGHT RANGE (grains)
17 Remington	25
22 Short	27-30
22 Long Rifle	36-40
22 Win Mag	30-50
25 ACP	45-50
7.62 Tokarev	84-92
7.65 (30 Luger)	90-96
32 S&W	85-88
32-20 WCF	90-115
32 Short Colt	80
32 Long Colt	82
32 S&W & 32 S&W Long	95-100
32 Auto	60-71
8mm Nambu	99-103
380 Auto	85-102
9mm Parabellum	88-147
9mm Makarov	90
9mm Steyr	114-118
9mm Mauser	123-128
38 S&W	145-150
38 Long Colt/Colt New Police	148-150
38 Special	95-158
357 Magnum	110-180
38 Auto	115-147
40 S&W	141-180
10mm Auto	155-200
41 Rem Magnum	170-240
41 Short Colt	160-167
44 Rem Magnum	180-275
44 S&W Spl	200-246
45 ACP	175-230
45 Colt	225-255
Popular small caliber excluding reloads Sources: Hatcher, H.P.White Lab, CCI, Winchester, Remington, Federal

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