From the .22 LR to the .500 Nitro Express: A Map of the Smallest and Largest Rifle Cartridges

A map of the smallest and largest rifle cartridges, from the .22 LR rimfire to the .500 Nitro Express, sorted into groups.

The rifle ammunition shelf has two very different ends. At one end is the .22 Long Rifle, a rimfire that is the starting point for most shooters. At the other are big-bore cartridges whose bullets weigh ten times as much or more, some of them made for the largest and most dangerous game. Sorting them into groups makes both ends easier to read.

The rimfire end

The .22 Long Rifle was introduced in 1887 and is still the best-known rimfire. Its priming compound sits in the rim of the case, and its bullets typically weigh 36 to 40 grains.

Aguila, a Mexican maker, loads it with 40-grain bullets, and its loads are at aguila 22lr 40 grain ammo. Federal’s hollow-point loads are at federal 22lr hollow point ammo.

Winchester, a long-established American name, also loads the .22 LR, and its loads are at winchester 22lr ammo for sale.

Big bores for the AR-15 pattern

The .450 Bushmaster is a straight-wall cartridge that fits an AR-15 lower with a new upper and modified magazines, and its loads are at 450 bushmaster ammo.

The .458 SOCOM, built on a trimmed .50 Action Express pistol case around 2000, was designed to give AR-15 rifles more stopping power. Anyone who wants to buy 458 socom ammo should know that it needs a barrel, bolt and magazine follower made for it.

The .500 Auto Max, designed by Big Horn Armory for its AR500 rifle, is essentially a rimless .500 S&W Magnum, and its 350-grain loads are at 500 auto max 350 grain ammo.

Dangerous-game cartridges

The .458 Lott, designed by Jack Lott in 1971 as a lengthened .458 Winchester Magnum, gives more capacity and velocity than the original. Its hollow-point loads are at 458 lott hollow point ammo.

The .460 Weatherby Magnum, introduced around 1958 on a necked-up .378 Weatherby Magnum case, was advertised as the world’s most powerful commercial sporting cartridge. Its loads are at 460 weatherby magnum ammo for sale.

British nitro express cartridges

The .450 Nitro Express, from 1898, is a rimmed cartridge for double rifles, and its 400-grain loads are at 450 nitro express 400 grain ammo. The .500 Nitro Express, which fires a .510-inch bullet of about 570 grains, is at 500 nitro express ammo.

Start with the rifle

Start with the rifle, not the cartridge. The chambering is stamped on the barrel, and the name on the box has to match it exactly. The posts that follow take the same shelf one angle at a time.

Rimfire and centerfire cartridges are not interchangeable, and neither are many big-bore cartridges with similar names. Match the marking on your barrel to the box exactly, and confirm current stock and state shipping restrictions before ordering.