Gunners Den

Handgun Ballistics Chart

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Handgun ballistics chart
The full chart is below.

The below handgun ballistics chart will give true caliber and diameter of handgun cartridge bullet weight measured in grains, velocity measured in feet per second, energy measured in foot pounds–which also is a good indicator of handgun stopping power, and bullet trajectory measured in inches for the more popular handgun cartridges, (factory ammunition).

This handgun ballistics chart gives a good, reliable comparison of handgun cartridge ballistics. We have recently updated it to be more friendly on different size screens, and have added a search feature so you can more quickly find the calibers you’re looking for. For example, if you type in 40 S&W, a few different options will show.

Same thing with all the other calibers. We plan to add to this ballistics chart as necessary.

Also, while it’s certainly not our hope to get rich off of this website, being able to keep it running is a huge goal of ours. Whenever you buy something from a link like the following banner ad, it costs you nothing more and I get a small cut for referring you to that sale. If you need to buy ammo, please consider buying it by clicking on our affiliate banner here:

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Handgun CartridgeBullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
.17 Caliber Handgun
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
17 Hornady Mag Rimfire1720401495157841.7
17 Hornady Mag Rimfire2018301342149802.7
.22 Caliber Handgun
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
22 Short291010857664712.5
22 Long Rifle371085923977010.6
22 Long Rifle4010609181007510.9
.22 WMR34169011522161004.1
.22 WMR40148010711951025.7
.25 Caliber Handgun
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
.25 Automatic35900742634315.1
.30 Caliber Handgun
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
30 Luger93120010212972158.2
7.62X25 Tokarev85164513075113223.5
30 Carbine110179014217834932.6
.31 Caliber Handgun
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
32 S&W85680633877627.6
32 Short Colt80745693998522.6
32 S&W Long987056571089425.5
32 Automatic6010008341339612.0
32 H&R907506981129722.3
32-20 Winchester11580074216314119.3
32 H&R Mag8511209772371809.4
32 H&R Mag 95102091621917711.4
327 Federal Magnum85140011363702435.7
.35 Caliber Handgun Ballistics
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
380 Automatic90100084620014312.1
38 Long Colt15865060614812930.4
9mm Luger11511559713412419.0
9mm Luger12411109713392599.8
9mm Luger14797589931026412.7
38 Special110101088324919111.8
38 Special12490081722518514.9
38 Special15880073519916819.3
39 Super +P125124010434273027.5
38 Super +P130121510304263068.0
357 Magnum125150011536242984.7
357 Magnum140135011005663766.2
357 Magnum 158158125010735484047.5
357 SIG124135011085023386.2
357 SIG147122510724903757.8
.37 Caliber Handgun Ballistics
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
38-55 Winchester255125010498856237.5
.40 Caliber Handgun Ballistics
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
38-40 Winchester18080074225622019.3
40 S&W15511809804793318.5
40 S&W16511759375063088.5
40 S&W18095086236129713.3
10 MM Auto155126510205513587.3
10 MM Auto180118010045564038.5
10 MM Auto200105094849039910.8
.41 Caliber Handgun Ballistics
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
41 Rem Mag210130010777885406.8
41 Rem Mag250116010007475558.8
.43 Caliber Handgun Ballistics
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
44 Russian21065060619717130.4
44 Colt23073067927223623.6
44-40 Winchster20080074228424519.3
44-40 Winchester20572565523919524.0
44 Special180100088240031111.9
44 Rem Mag180155011739605504.2
44 Rem Mag200150011969996354.7
44 Rem Mag225141011119936175.6
44 Rem Mag240135011349716855.6
44 Rem Mag300115010318817088.9
.45 Caliber Handgun Ballistics
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
45 Auto18597086038630412.7
45 Auto20090081736029614.9
45 Auto23085078836931716.9
45 Auto +P200105592649438010.7
45 Auto +P23095087246138513.3
45 GAP185109096048837910.0
45 GAP23088081139533615.7
45 Schofield18073067921318523.6
45 Colt25572565129824024.0
45 Colt22596084146035413.0
410 Judge 3" 5-000 Buck71775683957321.8
410 Judge 2.5" 4-000 Buck718507431148717.9
45 Win Mag260120010218316028.2
454 Casull24019001478192311632.0
454 Casull30016501348181312103.5
460 S&W20022001715214913050.9
.47 Caliber Handgun Ballistics
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
475 Linebaugh40013001084150110436.8
480 Ruger3251350107813158396.2
480 Ruger400110097110758389.8
.50 Caliber Handgun Ballistics
Bullet WeightMuzzle Velocity (FPS)100 YD VelocityMuzzle Energy100 YD Energy LB FTBullet Drop 100 YDS
50 Action Express3001475109514497994.9
500 S&W30019501598253317001.8
500 S&W35017001289224612913.1
500 S&W50013001087187613106.8

If you see anything that looks off, please let us know. We do the best we can, but are obviously humans. Sometimes, believe it or not, I make typos as I sit down and spend hours upon hours entering information and numbers into the ballistics table.

Also, we’re adding another feature in that the table shown is actually a scaled down version of the original chart. The chart was too massive and went off screen. I was actually getting dinged by the search engines for it, so we had to show this scaled down, yet still huge, ballistics chart.

I plan to add the ability to show you the original one in a PDF or download so you can see the entire thing. Stay tuned for that, but this stuff takes time. Since I’m a one man show, it takes a lot of it.

More Ballistics Charts:

Rimfire Ballistics Chart

Centerfire Rifle Ballistics Chart

Also, if you ever find yourself in a self-defense scenario, you may wish you had concealed carry insurance. Check out our USCCA Review, here.

You may also want to check out Joe’s Glock 48 Review.

That concludes our pistol and handgun ballistics chart.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Josh says

      Hmm. What happens when you try to print it? I have to update it and make it smaller so it fits on all screens, and we’re working on that.

  2. Roland says

    Really like the chart!
    Since you have the 38 Special with +P, could you add some of the +P information for the 9mm

    Thanks
    RB

  3. johnny says

    I have a few 10mm handguns. 180 gr buffalo bore has 790 ft lbs of energy. 155gr underwood has 800 ft lbs, right up there with the 357 magnum. Underwood 200gr 45 acp +p has 526 ft lbs of energy, 9mm 124 gr +p has 400 ft lbs. todays ammo is getting more powerful for all guns. the 9mm is hitting with as much as the 45.the 10mm with as much as the 357.. these ammo companies are getting good.

    • Josh says

      The technology has come really far from the old days for sure. Thanks for the comment.

      Josh

      • Joel Corley says

        So, for grizz bear protection, which would you use – 44 ruger redhawk, .357 S&W scandium/titanium, or 10mm?

        I have a 44 ruger RH, and I’ve used 320 grain rounds, and I’m not accurate beyond probably 5 yds,, at 10 yds I might miss, especially with a bear running at me. I have thought about moving to 240 gr for accuracy. (i’m pretty accurate with the 240)….

        I have also thought about going to a 10mm with highest grain or one I feel comfortable with and the biggest reason is more rounds. I understand that with a bear attack you can have all the ammo in the world but if you don’t have time to shoot them all then they do you no good.

        • Josh says

          Hey Joel,

          Hmm. I’m not sure I’d use either of those against a big bear. A .44 magnum should be the absolute smallest for grizzly, and even then it’s debatable on if it’ll be enough or not. If that’s your option always go with hard cast bullets for better penetration. If you don’t have enough velocity with a hard enough bullet it’ll stop before it does enough damage turning you into bear food.

          For grizzly protection I’d feel best with a .460 S&W Magnum or bigger. Stay safe out there!

          Josh

    • Josh says

      Hey James,

      I’m not sure I’m following. I just checked several other charts to see if we were that far off and seem to be within the average range for multiple other charts. It’s possible you were looking at the wrong column on our chart since we don’t have a floating menu at the top that follows you down the long chart as you scroll. Another thing we have to remember is that different loads will show different velocities/energies. The other charts you were looking at may have been weaker loads.

      Either way, we are working on updating our chart so it’s more user friendly.

      Thanks,

      Josh

  5. Joel says

    So, I’ve got a 44 Ruger Redhawk with 320 gr hard cast rounds that I’ve taken to Montana for grizz protection. As you know, It’s pretty big/heavy to be toting around for 10 days backpacking and Wade fly fishing. I’m not that accurate beyond 5 yds with the 320 rounds, but decent with 240 gr rounds at 10-15 yds. I’ve also taken a .357 S&W with 200 gr hard cast rounds. In not so accurate with it either at 5+ yds. So, I’ve considered trying out a 10mm hoping that I’ll be more accurate with it AND more rounds and it’s a lighter/smaller weapon, but I’m not sure the ballistics listed above indicate that it is a good choice. Do you have a recommendation? Thanks!

    • Josh says

      I gotcha. I misunderstood before. I have a hard time answering questions like this, simply because every bear is different and every shooter is different. There have been instances where a 10mm with proper ammunition gets the job done just fine. However, in those instances a head shot may be required, and you may need to empty your entire magazine into the charging bear to stop it.

      Because the bear isn’t resting, it’s charging, it’s hopped up on adrenaline and you shooting it may just piss it off further. So, as with all things shot placement is key. And yes, if you can shoot a 10mm better than you can a .44 mag, it’s better to hit your attacker than not. Carry what you’re comfortable with. I’ll fall back onto the best advice I can safely give, which is to carry the biggest gun in the biggest caliber you can confidently shoot.

      If it’s 10mm, so be it. Just make sure you’re using proper ammo so they do as much damage as possible.

      I hope this helps.

  6. Tom says

    To arrive at muzzle energy I use the formula of;
    Bullet weight (grains) X velocity X velocity X .00000222 = energy
    Works every time regardless of variables.

  7. J. Ward says

    Barrel length makes a difference. Do you have that info for each calibe4/weight? And PCCs are popular in 9mm, 10mm, .40, .44, .45acp these days. Have the ballistics at those barrel lengths (typically 16.5″)?
    Thanks

  8. Jim Strickland says

    Thanks for your hard work in putting together such a comprehensive chart. I was just wondering if the numbers given assume a specific barrel length, say standard 4″? If so, is there any formula for adapting the specs to a 2″ snubby?

    • Joshua Gillem says

      Hey Jim, unfortunately, I was not there when the gunsmith who made the chart actually put this all together, and he has since passed away so I can’t even ask him. At some point in the future, we’re looking at re-doing this entire thing with more information but I’m currently just a one-man show and still have a day job.

      Thanks for reaching out.

      Josh