Typical Muzzle Energies of Common Firearms and Cartridges
| 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 |
| 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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