MSG John Wirts 222944 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The calibers of the 1800's have a partial similarity to the 1900 calibers. If you know the differences the century of the cartridge origination, is easily determined. Some examples are 30-30, 32-20, 30-40, 45-70. Any guesses?<br />Other examples are 30-06 and more difficult 303, 308. 2014-08-31T02:10:42-04:00 MSG John Wirts 222944

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The calibers of the 1800's have a partial similarity to the 1900 calibers. If you know the differences the century of the cartridge origination, is easily determined. Some examples are 30-30, 32-20, 30-40, 45-70. Any guesses?<br />Other examples are 30-06 and more difficult 303, 308.

2014-08-31T02:10:42-04:00 2014-08-31T02:10:42-04:00 SFC Mark Merino 222982

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Honestly, I keep watching from the shadows to get the answer to this great question. Are we the only ones still up? I'd hate to embarrass myself but I'll throw out a guess. Did the technology of the 1800's not allow for the very close tolerances that we can expect in today's manufacturing?

2014-08-31T03:20:54-04:00 2014-08-31T03:20:54-04:00 SSG(P) Auston Terry 223101

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The 19th century black powder metallic cartridges follow the caliber-charge system. The first set of numbers is the caliber of the bullet, the second is the number of grains of black powder measured by wieght; commercially there would be a last set with the wieght of the bullet in grains. For example in this system a 50-90 Sharps has virtually identical case dimensions to the 50-100 and 50-110 Sharps. 30-30 was actually named ".30 Winchester Centerfire" but Marlin and UMC (Remington) didn't want to advertise for big W so they used the blackpowder designation instead (30-30 was always a smokeless carteidge). The 30-40 Krag followed the same convention as did its replacement the 30-45 but the Small Arms Board later renamed it 30-03 with the second character being the year of adoption (1903). The same convention follows for 30-06. the second set is the year of adoption. .303 is a lit7tle goofy, it also follows a blackpowder convention; because it was originally eas one, .303 is the measurement across the lands. .308 Winchester is measured across the grooves. Realistically cartridge names after 1918 don't have a standard it's however the manufacturer (or wildcatter) felt would fit. 22-250 is a 250 savage necked down to 224, and a .303/25 is a 303 Brit necked down to .25. The reason all bets are off is best personified by the .380 Auto which is also known as the 9mm Short, 9x17mm, 9mm Kurtz, 9mm Browning Curto, 9mm Corto, and 9mm Browning; depending mostly on the country you live in. 19th century blackpowder rounds from Continental Europe were identified solely by caliber/case length and the original developer I.E. 7x57mm Mauser, 8x56mmR Mannilicher, 7x54mmR Mosin-Nagant. 7mm Mauser was also known as .275 Rigby in the British Commonwealth (measured across the lands as the .303 is).

2014-08-31T08:46:48-04:00 2014-08-31T08:46:48-04:00 2014-08-31T02:10:42-04:00