Muzzle Energy - Typical Muzzle Energies of Common Firearms and Cartridges

Typical Muzzle Energies of Common Firearms and Cartridges

Example muzzle energy levels of different types of firearms
Firearm Caliber Muzzle energy
ft-lbf joules
air gun spring .177 15 20
air gun mag spring .22 22 30
air gun PCP .22 30+ 40+
pistol .22LR 117 159
pistol 9 mm 383 519
pistol .45 ACP 416 564
rifle 5.56 × 45 mm 1,325 1,796
rifle 7.62 × 39 mm 1,527 2,070
rifle 7.62 × 51 mm 2,802 3,799
heavy .50 BMG 11,091 15,037
heavy 14.5 × 114 mm 23,744 32,000
Average muzzle energies for common pistol cartridges
Cartridge Muzzle energy
ft-lbf joules
.380 ACP 199 270
.38 Special 310 420
9 mm Luger 350 470
.45 Colt 370 500
.45 GAP 400 540
.45 ACP 400 540
.40 S&W 425 576
.357 Sig 475 644
.357 Mag 550 750
10mm Auto 650 880
.44 Mag 1,000 1,400
.50 AE 1,500 2,000
.454 Casull 1,900 2,600
.460 SW 2,400 3,300
.500 SW 2,600 3,500

It must be stressed that muzzle energy is dependent upon the factors previously listed and that even velocity is highly variable depending upon the length of the barrel a projectile is fired from. While the above list mentions some averages, there is wide variation in commercial ammunition. A 180 grain bullet fired from .357 magnum handgun can achieve a muzzle energy of 580 foot-pounds. A 110 grain bullet fired from the same gun might only achieve 400 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, depending upon the manufacture of the cartridge. Some .45 Colt ammunition can produce 1,200 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, far in excess of the average listed above.

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