02 April 2018, 12:11
Ray BCartridge Nomenclature
I'm aware of several methods of naming a cartridge, but I'm sure that I don't know them all; so I'll list the types I'm familiar with = feel free to add the ones that I miss:
1,25/35,30/30,30/40, 45/70 etc, first # is bore size, 2ns is powder charge (not workable with changeover to smokeless powder
2. 45/90/405, 50/110/500: 1st # bore diameter, 2nd powder charge, 3rd bullet weight
3. 45x3 1/4; 1st # bore size, second case length
4. 7x57, 6.5x54; same as #3 but metric.
5. 577/500, 450/400; British term, 1st # is original case, 2nd # is what it was necked down to.
6. 250, 276, 300 designate the bore diameter for equivalent groove sizes 257, 284, 308.
7. 38 & 44 handguns use bullets smaller than the designation because the cylinder size remained the same when revolvers transitioned from cap & ball to metallic cartridge. the diameter of the cartridge was 38 0r 44, which necessitated a smaller diameter bullet.
8 30-03, 30-06, 1st # is bore diameter, 2nd # is year introduced.
then there are the bunch of cartridges with same numbers but different names: 7mm Express, 7mm Magnum to name a few.
What others can you think of?
11 April 2018, 02:34
Jefffivequote:
Originally posted by Ray B:
I'm aware of several methods of naming a cartridge, but I'm sure that I don't know them all; so I'll list the types I'm familiar with = feel free to add the ones that I miss:
1,25/35,30/30,30/40, 45/70 etc, first # is bore size, 2ns is powder charge (not workable with changeover to smokeless powder
2. 45/90/405, 50/110/500: 1st # bore diameter, 2nd powder charge, 3rd bullet weight
3. 45x3 1/4; 1st # bore size, second case length
4. 7x57, 6.5x54; same as #3 but metric.
5. 577/500, 450/400; British term, 1st # is original case, 2nd # is what it was necked down to.
6. 250, 276, 300 designate the bore diameter for equivalent groove sizes 257, 284, 308.
7. 38 & 44 handguns use bullets smaller than the designation because the cylinder size remained the same when revolvers transitioned from cap & ball to metallic cartridge. the diameter of the cartridge was 38 0r 44, which necessitated a smaller diameter bullet.
8 30-03, 30-06, 1st # is bore diameter, 2nd # is year introduced.
then there are the bunch of cartridges with same numbers but different names: 7mm Express, 7mm Magnum to name a few.
What others can you think of?
You have the "R" and "FL" designation for rimmed/flanged cartridges.
11 April 2018, 03:52
Dulltool17And the "JS" designation for Mauser
What it boils down to is there really are no rules. If it feels good ............
Zac
True, there are no rules; and the JS is not a J, it is a German I.
Anyone or company in Europe, England, and the US could and did, name any cartridge any way they could think of. And not always accurately either, like the 38 WCF, or 38-40. Nothing 38 about it, then or now, It is a 40 caliber. Many other non sensical names. The 44 and 38 names came from the early cartridges which had Outside lubricated bullets, like the 22 LR does. Then when they decided to put the bullets inside the case, the diameter was reduced to our .430 and 357. They still worked early on, with hollow based bullets. Lots of history and no sense of commonality at all. That is what makes it interesting.
Not to be picky, but the 45-90 and 50-110 were Win express cartridges using very light bullets and slow twists; 300 grains was all they could shoot.
Like you say not to be picky but I have been collecting cartridges for over 30 years and I don't believe I have ever heard the .45-90 called an express cartridge. There was a high velocity load but never heard it called an express. I also show factory loads of 300, 350 & 405 grain bullets.