There’s always a gap between marketing and the real world, especially when it comes to caliber performance. Ballistic charts don’t always tell the truth, especially when those numbers were pulled from a 24-inch test barrel you’d never carry in the field. Some cartridges look great on paper—high muzzle energy, fast velocities, impressive stats—but once you shoot them through a standard-length barrel and clock the chronograph, reality hits hard. And it’s not just velocity loss—some calibers shed energy so fast that by the time you hit your target, you’ve got the punch of a rimfire. If you’re counting on consistent knockdown power, these are the ones that tend to disappoint.
.17 HMR
The .17 HMR hits high numbers on paper, especially for a rimfire, but that energy bleeds off fast. It starts with a lot of speed—often over 2,500 fps—but those tiny 17- or 20-grain bullets lose steam in a hurry. At 100 yards, you’re already seeing a sharp drop in energy, and by 150, it’s barely outperforming a .22 Magnum. Plenty of folks swear by it for varmints, and that’s fine—but don’t expect it to hit like centerfire. It’s flat-shooting, sure, but that doesn’t mean it carries weight. For anything tougher than prairie dogs, the .17 HMR runs out of gas quick.
5.7x28mm
You’ll hear claims that 5.7x28mm punches way above its weight, but in practice, it’s closer to hot .22 Magnum than anything else. Factory energy numbers often come from P90-length barrels, not the shorter barrels on pistols like the FN Five-seveN or Ruger 57. Once you shoot it through a 4- or 5-inch handgun, you’re usually seeing 1,200–1,400 fps with lightweight bullets that don’t do much on impact. It can zip through soft barriers, but terminal performance is underwhelming. Even the defensive loads struggle to expand properly. It may look impressive on a spec sheet, but on the range, it behaves like a stretched-out rimfire.
.22 TCM
The .22 TCM is a speed demon—at least if you believe the marketing. The round was designed to push lightweight bullets at blistering velocities from a 1911 platform, but it loses momentum fast. It cracks loud and flat, but energy transfer is minimal unless you’re right on top of the target. That fast, sharp recoil might trick you into thinking it’s doing more than it is, but most chronos show numbers that don’t hold up past 25 yards. It’s fun to shoot, no doubt, but if you’re banking on energy dump or deep penetration, this one’s going to leave you disappointed.
.30 Carbine
The .30 Carbine was made for war, not for hunting or defensive use, and it shows. Out of the M1 Carbine’s longer barrel, you might see 1,900 to 2,000 fps, but the bullet’s profile and weight don’t do much to hold that energy. Inside 50 yards it can perform decently, but stretch it past that and the bullet starts to fizzle. Against barriers or heavier game, it doesn’t penetrate the way you’d expect from a centerfire rifle. Even modern defensive loads struggle to deliver meaningful energy. It might be nostalgic and fun, but when it comes to terminal performance, the .30 Carbine is underwhelming.
9x18mm Makarov
On paper, 9x18mm Makarov sits right between .380 ACP and 9mm Luger, but in practice, it behaves more like the former. Ballistics often promise 1,000 fps or more, but real-world velocities usually come in slower, especially with surplus ammo. You’ll get 90–95 grain bullets moving around 950 fps—hardly impressive compared to modern 9mm. Some loads barely crack 200 foot-pounds of energy, which doesn’t inspire much confidence. It’s reliable in simple blowback pistols, and for close-up work it can function well, but energy-wise, it never lives up to the reputation some folks give it. It’s a Cold War relic, not a modern performer.
.327 Federal Magnum
This one looks hot on paper—especially when you compare it to .32 H&R Magnum—but many loads struggle to deliver real punch beyond the muzzle. The issue is barrel length. Most .327s are carried in snub-nose revolvers or short-barreled platforms, which means you lose a big chunk of velocity before the bullet even clears the cylinder gap. Even with spicy 100-grain loads, energy drops off fast after 25 yards. It can expand well in gel, but real tissue performance tends to be shallow. There’s nothing wrong with .327 as a carry option for those who like wheelguns—but energy-wise, it’s not the firebreather it pretends to be.
.25 ACP
Plenty of folks carry .25 ACPs out of nostalgia or deep concealment needs, but it barely delivers more energy than a high-velocity .22 LR. The bullet’s round-nose design doesn’t lend itself to expansion or reliable penetration, and velocities often hover around 800–900 fps with a 50-grain projectile. That translates to energy levels under 70 foot-pounds—less than some air rifles. It might cycle better than rimfire in pocket pistols, but that’s about the only benefit. If you’re hoping for any meaningful energy transfer, the .25 ACP is going to disappoint. It’s more bark than bite, even at bad-breath distances.
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Calibers That Shouldn’t Even Be On the Shelf Anymore
Rifles That Shouldn’t Be Trusted Past 100 Yards
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
