- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Possible Cartridge Types
Home > Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles > Physical Features > Caliber/Diameter > Possible Cartridge Types
In the following chart, the measured diameter of a bullet in inches corresponds to possible cartridge type(s).
| Possible Cartridge Types Indicated Based on the Measured Diameter of a Fired Bullet | |
| DIAMETER OF FIRED BULLET * | POSSIBLE CALIBERS |
| .202" - .228" | 22 5.5mm 5.56mm |
| .247" - .271" | 25 Auto 6.35mm |
| .302" - .328" | 32 Auto |
| .353 " - .373" | .357 Mag. 38 Spl. 380 Auto 9mm (various types) |
| .401" - .410" | 40 S&W 41 Rem Mag 10mm Auto |
| .425" - .431" | 44 Rem. Mag. |
| .447" - .458" | 45 Auto 45 Colt 455 Webley/Colt |
| * assumes little or no deformation that makes measurement difficult | |
Measured caliber/diameter, as with other physical features, is only one factor to consider. A bullet of a given caliber may be consistent with any number of cartridge types.
One caliber and multiple cartridge types
