Newbie "Guide" to gun literacy, calibers, acronyms etc.

[jsparks747]

I second the reloading book. The main way I learned was I watched YouTube videos and essentially became obsessed with guns. My dad also had a good childhood friend who let us come up and shoot his guns. That helped a lot. I also have 2 uncles and an aunt who hunt a lot and they all helped me out.

 

[nehalemguy]

All you need to know is that John Moses Browning invented everything.......everything.

Anything else is just a footnote.

E

 

[Alexx1401]

All you need to know is that John Moses Browning invented everything.......everything.

Anything else is just a footnote.

E

From the grave JMB is whispering "bless you son".

 

[jsparks747]

All you need to know is that John Moses Browning invented everything.......everything.

Anything else is just a footnote.

E

Uh. "This is a .44 magnum most powerful handgun in the world (.500 Mag technically) and will blow your head clean off. So tell me, do you feel lucky? Well do ya... PUNK!"

 

[EPS]

Hey all, I'm super interested in learning all that I can about guns, ammo, etc but sometimes in the midst of trying to learn I end up more confused. I want to learn more, but also am afraid of asking certain questions for fear of sounding like an idiot!

Could we work on a "living" thread that attempts to give quick & dirty answers to commonly used acronyms and caliber references?

One thing I would be particularly interested in knowing is a GENERAL ranking of ammunition sizes...I know that stopping power can vary greatly between the same "calibers" of ammunition depending on specifics...but just sort of a general list would be great.

I'll start...and please feel free to correct me (as I'm sure that I'm wrong at least 40% of the time...)

starting small to big:
.17 (rifle)
.22 (rifle or pistol)
.223/5.56mm (rifle)
.30/7.62 mm (rifle?...I could use some help here....this is a big topic I know)
.38 special (pistol)
.380/9mm (pistol)
.40 (Pistol)
.44 (pistol)
.45 (pistol)
.50 (pistol)
20 gage (shotgun)
12 gage (shotgun)

I know this list is farm from perfect.

I could really use some guidance in understanding where a .357 magnum and a .44 magnum fit in there. and what does it mean to be magnum anyways?

and some terms that confuse me are:
SKS (soviet assault rifle?)
1911?
ACP?
lots more I'm forgetting I'm sure...

No matter how much you think you know someone else probley knows more don't be afraid to ask ? That's how we all learn

 

[erslll]

I would imagine in the last 6 years, the OP has learned quite a bit.


HINT: 6 year old thread.......

 

[EPS]

I would imagine in the last 6 years, the OP has learned quite a bit.


HINT: 6 year old thread.......

Probably has something or like me didn't learn anything like checking the dates

 

[EPS]

That's funny I didn't see it was from 2011 oh well I'm going to get up and get another beer any one else want one HEHEH

 

[EPS]

I always wonder about that smell in my refrigerator guess I better check the dates