Rifle shooter
Rifle shooter

Energy comparison – advice for firerarms enquiry officers

The Home Office guidance document ‘Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002’ provides a table at chapter 13.15 (page 77) to assist with judging the suitability of rifle cartridge chamberings for certain quarry.

The common link between the various cartridges is the four energy/quarry species bandings. By necessity, the examples given in the guidance are  brief. Therefore, the following table has been compiled to extend those examples. It is not intended to be a definitive list, but merely to provide simple and basic extension to the information at 13.15.

The examples are primarily taken from Barnes 11th edition of Cartridges of the World. Most current cartridges in America, Britain and Europe have been provided. Examples of a larger number of British obsolete cartridges have been included as they may still be seen from time to time. Obsolete American and European cartridges are not covered to the same  extent. A number of military chamberings have also been included where they may have an application for live quarry.

The list contained in ‘Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002’ at page 77 should not be used in an arbitrary way; this document may be used more as an extended information source to assist with decision-making.

The energy bandings used are taken from the maximum and minimum figures shown by Barnes. There will be many other loadings, both  commercial and hand loaded which may or may not extend the examples given and in cases of confusion the applicant should be in a position to provide the relevant information. However, it should be noted that reloading data is NOT an indication of how a particular load will perform in any particular rifle. There are many variables which come into play and if there is any doubt, it may be appropriate for police licensing staff to ask the certificate holder to provide some evidence, which would assist in making a final decision.

It is also important to remember that there are a number of instances where the energy levels span two bandings i.e. either side of ballistic minima prescribed in law e.g. the Deer Acts.

It is also important that the extended table below should be read in conjunction with  the whole of Chapter 13, but in particular, paragraphs, 13.15, 13.17, 13.23, 13.25, 13.29, 13.32, 13.34 and 13.35.

It is critical to use Chapter 13 in ‘Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002’ as a guide for the ‘initial reason’ the firearm is sought. The “No’s” in the chart on page 77 do not prohibit calibres from being utilised on smaller species.

Where larger rifles are sought to shoot smaller species, once initial good reason has been demonstrated, secondary quarry species should be allowed. Such applications may be perceived to be outside the realms of Page 77’s chart; however, the primary concern for licensing staff should be whether the calibre is  capable of achieving a humane dispatch of the quarry species concerned. Chapter 13.14 and 13.22 of ‘Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002’ explains about dealing with reasonable eventualities in detail.

Additionally, energy levels may need to be adequate for a particular legal requirement. Remember that, in particular, bullet weight and velocity (in Scotland) and minimum calibre (in England and Wales) also need to be taken into account where deer are the intended quarry.

N.B. Care must be taken to make a correct correlation between the energy comparison chart below and that of stated energies listed in the chart in ‘Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002’ at page 77

This document does not, at this time, form part of ‘Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002’

CartridgeMuzzle energy (ft/lbs)Alternative name(s)
>12 – 900600 – 21001600 – 3000>3000
.17HMRYNNN 
.17 MACH2YNNN 
.17 MACH IVYYNN 
.17 RemingtonYNNN 
.204 RugerNYNN 
.218 BeeYNNN 
.22 AcceleratorNYYN

(Smaller bullet held in a sabot, available in the following calibres –

.30-30, .308 & .30-06)

.22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire)YNNN 
.223 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum)NYYN 
.22 HornetYNNN(5.6mmx36R)
.22 PPCNYNN 
.22 WCFYNNN5.6mmx35R Vierling
.220 SwiftNYYN 
.222 RemingtonNYNN

.22 Varminter,

.22 Watkins Original Swift

.222 Remington MagnumNYNN 
.22-250 RemingtonNYNN 
.223 RemingtonNYNN(5.56mmx45)
.223 WSSMNYYN.223 Winchester Super Short Magnum
.225 WinchesterNYNN 
.22RF Long RifleYNNNIncluded for comparison only
.240 MagnumNYYNAlso flanged and rimless. H&H .240 Apex
.240 Weatherby MagnumNNYN 
.242 Rimless Nitro ExpressNYYN 
.243 WinchesterNYYN 
.243 WSSM (Winchester Super Short Magnum)NYYN 
.244 Magnum (H&H)NNYN 
.244 RemingtonNYYN6mm Remington
.246 PurdeyNYYN 
.250 SavageNYYN(.250-3000)
.25-06 RemingtonNNYN 
.25-20 WinchesterYNNN(.25-20 WCF)
.25-35 WinchesterNYNN(.25-35 WCF)
.255 Jeffrey RookYNNN 
.256 Gibbs MagnumNNYN 
.256 MannlicherNYYN6.5mmx53 Mannlicher
CartridgeMuzzle energy (ft/lbs)Alternative name(s)
>12 – 900600 – 21001600 – 3000>3000
.257 RobertsNYYN(.257 Roberts +P)
.257 Weatherby MagnumNNYN 
.260 RemingtonNNYN6.5 – 08 A-Square
.264 Winchester MagnumNNYY 
.270 Weatherby MagnumNNYN 
.270 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum)NNYN 
.270 WinchesterNNYN 
.275 Magnum (H&H)NNYNBelted & Flanged
.275 No 2 MagnumNYYN7mm Rigby Magnum Flanged
.275 RigbyNNYN7mmx57
.276 EnfieldNNYN 
.280 FlangedNNYN.280 Lancaster
.280 JeffreyNNYN.33/.280 Jeffrey
.280 RemingtonNNYN(7mm Express Remington)
.280 RossNNYN.280 Rimless
.284 WinchesterNNYN 
.297/.230 Morris ShortYNNNAlso Long, Extra Long & Lancaster Sporting
.297/.250 RookYNNN 
.300 (.295) RookYNNN 
.300 Belted Rimless Magnum (H&H)NNYY.30 Flanged Magnum (H&H Super .30)
.300 Holland & Holland MagnumNNNY(.300 H&H Super)
.300 Remington SA (Short Action) Ultra MagnumNNNY 
.300 SavageNYYN 
.300 SherwoodYNNN 
.300 Weatherby MagnumNNNY 
.300 Winchester MagnumNNNY 
.300 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum)NNNY 
.30 CarbineNYNN.30 M1 Carbine
.30-06 SpringfieldNNYY7.62mmx63 & .30 Government M’06
.303 BritishNNYN 
.303 MagnumNNNY 
.30-30 WinchesterNYYN.30-30 WCF, .30 Winchester, 7.62mmx51R
.30-378 WeatherbyNNNY 
.30-40 KragNYYN.30 Army
.307 WinchesterNNYN 
.308 WinchesterNNYN7.62x51mm NATO
.308 Norma MagnumNNNY 
.30R BlaserNNNY 
.310 CadetYNNN.310 Greener
.318 Rimless Nitro ExpressNNYN.318 Westley Richards & .318 Accelerated Express
.32 WS (Winchester Special)NYYN.32 WS
CartridgeMuzzle energy (ft/lbs)Alternative name(s)
>12 – 900600 – 21001600 – 3000>3000
.32-20 WinchesterYYNN.32-20 WCF
.33 B.S.A.NNNY.33 Belted Rimless & .330 B.S.A.
.333 JeffreyNNNYFlanged & Rimless
.338 Lapua MagnumNNNY8.58mmx71
.338 Remington UltramagNNNY 
.338 Winchester MagnumNNNY 
.338-06 A-SquareNNNY.338-06
.338-378 KTNNNY.338-378 Weatherby
.340 Weatherby MagnumNNNY 
.348 WinchesterNYYN 
.35 RemingtonNYYN 
.35 WhelenNNYY 
.350 No 2 RigbyNNNY.350 Rigby Magnum
.350 Remington MagnumNNNY 
.356 WinchesterNNYN 
.357 S&W MagnumYNNN 
.358 WinchesterNNYY 
.358 Norma MagnumNNNY 
.360 No. 5 RookYNNN 
.360 NENNNY 
.360 Nitro ExpressNNNY 
.369 Nitro ExpressNNNY.369 Purdey Nitro Express
.375 Flanged MagnumNNNY

.375 Belted Rimless Magnum,

.375 H&H Magnum –(slight dimensional differences)

.375 Flanged Nitro Express (2 1/2″)NNYN.370 Flanged
.375 Holland & Holland MagnumNNYY.375 H&H Magnum
.375 Remington Ultra MagnumNNNY 
.375 Rimless NE (2 1/4″)NNYN9.5x57mm MS
.375 Weatherby MagnumNNNY 
.375 WinchesterNYYN 
.375/.303 Westley RichardsNNYN.375/.303 Axite
.376 SteyrNNNY 
.378 Weatherby MagnumNNNY 
.38-40 WinchesterNYNN.38-40 WCF
.38-55 WinchesterNYNN.38-55 Ballard
.400 Jeffrey NENNNY.450/.400 3″
.400 Holland & HollandNNNY 
.400 Purdey (3″) Light ExpressNNYN.400 Straight 3″
.400/.350 RigbyNNNY 
.400/.360 NE (2 3/4″)NNYNWestley Richards, Fraser, Evans & Purdey
.400/.375 Belted Nitro Express (H&H)NNYN 
.404 JeffreyNNNY.404 Rimless NE
CartridgeMuzzle energy (ft/lbs)Alternative name(s)
>12 – 900600 – 21001600 – 3000>3000
.416 Remington MagnumNNNY 
.416 RigbyNNNY 
.416 Weatherby MagnumNNNY 
.425 Westley Richards MagnumNNNY.425 Westley Richards Semi-rimmed Magnum
.44 Remington MagnumYYNN 
.444 MarlinNNYN 
.44-40 WinchesterYNNN.44 WCF, .44 Winchester
.450 3 1/4″ Nitro ExpressNNNY 
.450 MarlinNNNY 
.450 No. 2 Nitro ExpressNNNY3 1/2 “
.450 RigbyNNNY 
.45-70 GovernmentNYYN

.45 Government, .45-70-330,

.45-70-350, .45-70-405 &

.45-70-500

.458 Winchester MagnumNNNY 
.458 LOTTNNNY 
.465 Holland & HollandNNNY 
.470 Nitro ExpressNNNY.470 NE
.475 3 1/4″ Nitro ExpressNNNY 
.475 No. 2 Nitro ExpressNNNY.475 No. 2 Jeffery
.476 Nitro ExpressNNNY.476 Westley Richards
.50 Browning Machine GunNNNY.50 BMG
.500 Express (BPE) Nitro-for-BlackNNNY 
.500 JeffreyNNNY 
.500 Nitro Express (3″ & 3 1/4″)NNNY 
.500/.450 3 1/4″ Magnum Express (BPE)NNYN 
.500/.450 No. 1 CarbineNNYN

.500/.450 No. 1 Express & Musket.

.500/.450 No. 2 Musket

.500/.465 Nitro ExpressNNNY 
.505 GibbsNNNY.505 Rimless
.577 Nitro Express (2 3/4″, 3″ & 3 1/4″)NNNY 
.577 Snider (14.7mm)NNYN 
.577/.450 Martini HenryNNYN 
.577/.500 3 1/8″ Nitro ExpressNNYN 
.577/.500 No. 2 BP ExpressNNYN 
.600 Nitro Express (2 8/10″ & 3″)NNNY 
.700 Nitro ExpressNNNY 
5.6mmx57RWSNYNN5.6mmx57R RWS
5.6mmx61 Vom Hofe Super ExpressNYYN5.6mmx61R Vom Hofe Super Express
6.5mm-08 A-SquareNNYN.260 Remington
6.5mmx284 NormaNNYY 
6.5mmx52 Italian (Mannlicher-Carcano)NYYN 
6.5mmx53R Mannlicher (Dutch & Romanian)NYYN.256mm Mannlicher
CartridgeMuzzle energy (ft/lbs)Alternative name(s)
>12 – 900600 – 21001600 – 3000>3000
6.5mmx54 Mannlicher-SchoenauerNYYN 
6.5mmx55 Swedish MauserNYYN 
6.5mmx57 MauserNYYN6.5mmx57R RWS
6.5mmx65NNYY6.5mmx65R RWS
6mm Norma BRNYYN 
6mm PPCNYYN 
6mm RemingtonNYYN.244 Remington
7.35mm Italian CarcanoNYYN 
7.62mmx39NNYN7.62mmx39 Soviet
7.62mmx51NNYN.308 Winchester
7.5mmx54 French MASNNYN 
7.5mmx55 Swiss Schmidt-RubinNNYN 
7.62mmx53R RussianNNYN7.62mmx54R Russian
7.62mmx58 Japanese ArisakaNNYN 
7.65mmx53mm Mauser (Argentine)NNYN 
7-30 WatersNYYN 
7mm Express RemingtonNNYN.280 Remington
7mm MauserNNYN7mmx57
7mm Remington MagnumNNYY 
7mm Remington Magnum SA (Short Action)NNNY 
7mm Remington Ultra MagnumNNNY 
7mm Shooting Times WesternerNNNY7mm STW
7mm Weatherby MagnumNNYY 
7mm WSM (Winchester Short Magnum)NNNY 
7mm-08 RemingtonNYYN 
7mmx57 MauserNYYN 
7mmx64 BrennekeNNYN 
7mmx66 Vom Hofe Super ExpressNNNY 
8mm German MauserNNYN7.9mmx57J & 79x57JS
8mm MauserNNYN7.92mm Mauser, 8mmx57J, 8mmx57L, 8mmx57S & 8x57JS
8mm Remington MagnumNNNY 
8mmx50R Austrian MannlicherNNYN 
8mmx50R Siamese MauserNNYN 
8mmx52R SiameseNNYN 
8mmx57J MauserNNYY 
8mmx57RJS MauserNNYY 
8mmx58R Danish KragNNYY 
8mm x60 MauserNNYN 
8mmx63 SwedishNNNY 
8mmx64J & S BrennekeNNYY8mmx65RJ & S Brenneke
8mmx68S RWSNNNY 
8mmx69J & S Mauser & RWSNNYY8mmx60RJ & S Mauser & RWS

Got a question? Email us on firearms@basc.org.uk or call 01244 573 010.

© BASC July 2023

Share