The thread on cartridge names got me thinking.

Among English speakers, there is a traditional (British influenced) way to pronounce the numerical portion of most cartridge names, but I'm not sure of all of them.

Here are the ones I think I know (these are big bores, for the most part, and if not, are rounds commonly used in Africa, now and in the past):

.300 - three hundred
.303 - three oh three
.318 - three eighteen
.333 - three thirty three
.338 - three thirty eight
.375 - three seven five (Americans often say three seventy five)
.400 - four hundred
.404 - four oh four
.416 - four sixteen
.425 - four twenty five (not sure why this isn't four two five, but I don't think it is)
.450 - four fifty
.458 - four five eight (Americans often say four fifty eight)
.465 - four six five
.470 - four seventy
.475 - four seven five
.500 - five hundred
.505 - five oh five
.577 - five seven seven
.600 - six hundred

I have always heard the metric calibers pronounced as follows - by English speakers, at least:

9.3x62 - nine point three by sixty two.

Not sure how non-English speakers refer to them.

Any others? Any dissenting opinions? (As I say, I'm not sure about some of these.)

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:


.300 - three hundred
.303 - three oh three
.318 - three eighteen
.333 - three thirty three Triple three Triple three
.338 - three thirty eight Three three eight Three three eight
.375 - three seven five (Americans often say three seventy five)
.400 - four hundred
.404 - four oh four
.416 - four sixteen
.425 - four twenty five four twenty five (not sure why this isn't four two five, but I don't think it is) Everyone I know calls it four two five. Everyone I know calls it four two five.
.450 - four fifty
.458 - four five eight (Americans often say four fifty eight)
.465 - four six five
.470 - four seventy
.475 - four seven five
.500 - five hundred
.505 - five oh five
.577 - five seven seven
.600 - six hundred

I have always heard the metric calibers pronounced as follows - by English speakers, at least:
9.3x62 - nine point three by sixty two.
Not sure how non-English speakers refer to them.
Any others? Any dissenting opinions? (As I say, I'm not sure about some of these.)

That's my take on it.


The only thing I'd add is that letters are often added after to make it clear.

ie
318 WR or 318 Westley Richards.
375 H&H

Since I'm also an automobile enthusiast, I name the cartridges similar to American car engines, right or wrong. "Four seventy-five" for .475, etc.
The metric cartridges I name just like you say.
I do remember some older people who referred to the .303 as the "three-aught-three", the .405 as the "four-aught-five", etc. I think a carryover of this is how we pronounce the .30-'06 as "thirty-aught-six."

quote:

.375 - three seven five (Americans often say three seventy five)

.458 - four five eight (Americans often say four fifty eight)

.577 - five seven seven


9.3x62 - nine point three by sixty two.

Interesting topic.

I have come up with the pronunciations I use on my own because I was introduced to most of these cartridges by reading about them. Because of this I have taken referring to the 375 as "Three-seventy-five", the 458 as "four-fifty-eight", etc.

For the metrics I call the 9.3x63, "nine-three by sixty-two". I make the decimal point silent.

My German friends call the 9.3x62, "nine-comma-three by sixty-two". They also write it: "9,3x62". I believe the Germans use a comma instead of a decimal point in general.

6.5x55 I say six five by fifty five AND six point five
333 I say three three three
9,3x62 I say nine three by six two
425 I say four two five
458 I say four fifty eight
470 I say four seventy
475 I say four seven five

I never say the "point" in a metric. Example, I just say nine three by 62, or six five rem mag.

.318 - three one eight
.333 - treble three like its smaller varmint cousin the treble two (or .222)
.338 - three three eight
.416 - four one six
.425 - four two five
.450 - four five oh (if on its own as in 450 Eley Revolver but four fifty in 400/450 (as in four hundred four fifty) or the venerable (five seven seven four fifty) 577/450 Martini Henry).

Why stop there! Here in Britain I use a 12 bore. I think over in US you use a 12 gauge?

quote:

enerable (five seven seven four fifty) 577/450 Martini Henry).

Why stop there! Here in Britain I use a 12 bore. I think over in US you use a 12 gauge?

Yep, 12 gauge generally. I have heard some older people here refer to a 12-bore shotgun, though. It could have been some of my older Canadian relatives.

So "four-fifty" is proper when it's part of a combination name, like 577/450. Interesting.

Let's face it. The English language never has been known for its consistency.

"The English language never has been known for its consistency"
You said a mouthful there!I pretty much pronounce as you all,with a few minor exceptions
30-30=turdy-turdy :

how do you get the smiley faces to appear?

However, as I recollect, the British 12 ga. is a 2 1/2 in shell, shorter than the American version. I don't know what standards are used in the Olympics.
Peter.

Although not on the list, a dearly departed friend of mine always referred to his Winchester 95 as his "four hundred five". Suits me.

Rest in peace Dr. Joe.

Would agree with 500N interpretation of how these cartridges are pronounced here down under anyway.

Perhaps add that 333 can be as we also call the 222 (triple two) - three three three or two two two.
577 also known as five double seven

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mark andrews:
"The English language never has been known for its consistency"
You said a mouthful there!I pretty much pronounce as you all,with a few minor exceptions
30-30=turdy-turdy :

how do you get the smiley faces to appear?[/QUOT E].Welcome to AR Mark ..turdy turdy
.
. I say 9364 ..........9362....ect. 65Sweede ........93 338 ........ect ...Smiley faces . just click on the smiley face icon , a whole slug of em will appear out of no where ... Click on the one you want and it appears in the text where the cursor is ..

What happened to popcorn man ??? He,s my favorite

The AR link is dead... here is another

http://www.democraticundergrou...s/images/popcorn.gif

And this one for those who need it

6.5x55--- six and a half swede

I defer to the other colonials on the pronunciation of .333 as "treble three" or "triple three" or "three three three" and the pronunciation of .425 as "four two five."

But I have to say that .338 is "three thirty eight" - as it's an American coinage and so American rules must apply!

Of course, then the .458 would have to be called the "four fifty eight," wouldn't it? But for whatever reason, I prefer the British version - "four five eight" - maybe because it's a big bore and it just fits.

American rules, by the way, call for the pronunciation noted above for .338.

.222 (sorry) is "two twenty two."
.223 is "two twenty three."
.243 is "two forty three."
.257 is "two fifty seven."
.284 is "two eighty four."

But .308 is still "three oh eight."

And despite rumors to the contrary on this thread, .405 is "four oh five."

I always loved the .30-06 - "thirty ought six." Nice ring to it.

If the British had named it, it would probably be known as the "thirty nought six!"

I am willing to consider the opinions of other duly appointed language cops on this, of course.

Shotguns are a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

Bore vs. gauge is not a big thing - but the way the Brits refer to chokes is very confusing to some of us Americans.

Aren't calibers such as the 300 Apex or 300 Whby
pronounced 3 "hon-ard"? Mine are!

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Aren't calibers such as the 300 Apex or 300 Whby
pronounced 3 "hon-ard"? Mine are!

Rusty, alla y'all southerners and Texicans have been away from old Blighty for way too long!

Guilty as charged!