BB Gun Size and Types of Calibers

by Egle Goleckyte

The bb gun, named after the shotgun 18-inch caliber which is the equivalent of the .177 caliber bb that was popularized by the earliest makers of air rifles and pistols, was initially meant to provide an airgun caliber for squirrel hunting, that was powered by carbon dioxide (skip straight to the bb gun size charts).

BB Gun Size and Types of Calibers size-charts.com
Photo by Lamna The Shark on Unsplash

Several other caliber airguns were introduced later with a larger gun bore diameter and a higher muzzle velocity shot that could shoot more bbs per minute. Though there are many bb gun sizes and airgun barrel sizes, the .177 is still the most popular airgun caliber.

Nowadays, bbs refer to round-shaped steel bbs or balls that differ from normal airgun plastic pellets in their density and aerodynamic shape. Unlike the plastic pellets made from lighter plastic material, the bbs are made a bit heavier to increase flight stability and deliver plenty of power in mid-flight and upon hitting a target.

Related: Bullet Size Guide and Instructions, Paintball Gun size – guns, gear and caliber size chart, Air Gun Size Guide

Summary of BB Gun Size

BB Shot and Diameters Sizes (BB Gun Size)

Related: Gun Sizes

Lead ShotsBuck ShotSteel Shot
SizePellet DiameterSizePellet DiameterSizePellet Diameter
120.05 inch 1.27 mmNo. 40.24 inch 6.10 mm60.11 inch 2.79 mm
90.80 inch 2.30 mmNo. 30.25 inch 6.35 mm50.12 inch 3.05 mm
8.50.85 inch 2.16 mmNo. 20.27 inch 6.86 mm40.13 inch 3.30 mm
80.90 inch 2.29 mmNo. 10.30 inch 7.62 mm30.14 inch 3.56 mm
7.50.95 inch 2.41 mmNo. 00.32 inch 8.13 mm20.15 inch 3.81 mm
60.110 inch 2.79 mmNo. 000.33 inch 8.38 mm10.16 inch 4.06 mm
5120 inch 3.05 mmNo. 0000.36 inch 9.14 mmAir Riffle0.177 inch 4.49 mm
40.130 inch 3.30 mm      –    –BB0.18 inch 4.57 mm
BB0.180 inch 4.57 mm      –      –BBB0.19 inch 4.83 mm

As stated above, the .177 caliber bb gun air pistol is more popular than the .22 caliber airgun because it can handle a variety of bb calibers. It is not necessarily the largest as we can see in the table below, but it is designed to be more versatile in its use.

Shot/ BB Caliber Pellet Size chart

BB and BBB were initially used to refer to an actual shotgun shot in the shotgun caliber rankings. Since the first air rifles and pistols used 18-inch pellets which match the bb caliber, the term bb became the common name that refers to pellets of different makes and models used in airguns.

The non-biodegradable airsoft bbs used for sports in outdoor airsoft fields with an airsoft rifle sniper gun that propels the pellets through the airsoft gun barrel with a 12-gram CO2 cartridge are said to have the best quality airsoft bb characteristics. Eye protection is paramount while playing with all airsoft bb sizes regardless of the particular airsoft gun fps.

Shot numberDiameter of shots in(inches and centimeters)Number of lead pellets per(ounce and grams)Number of steel bbs per (ounces and grams)
12.05 inches 0.127 cm2385 Oz 67613.61 gn/a
9.08 inches 0.2032 cm585 Oz 16584.5 gn/a
8.09 inches 0.2286cm410 Oz 11623.3 g577 Oz 16357.7 g
7.10 inches 0.254 cm300 Oz 8504.86 g420 Oz 11906.8 g
6.11 inches 0.2794 cm225 Oz 6378.64 g317 Oz 8986.8 g
5.12 inches 0.3048 cm170 Oz 4819.42 g243 Oz 6888.93 g
4.13 inches 0.3302 cm135 Oz 3827.19 g192 Oz 5443.11 g
3.14 inches 0.3556 cmn/a154 Oz 4365.83 g
2.15 inches 0.381 cm90 Oz 2551.46 g125 Oz 3543.69 g
1.16 inches 0.4064 cmn/a103 Oz 2920 g
B.17 inches 0.4318 cmn/a86 Oz 2438.06 g
BB.18 inches 0.4572 cm50 Oz 1417.48 g72 Oz 2041.17 g
BBB.19 inches 0.4826 cmn/a61 Oz 1729.32 g
T.20 inches 0.508 cmn/a53 Oz 1502.52 g
How powerful are BB and Pellet guns by Size? by awesomeairguns

Shotgun Cartridge Size chart

The shotgun can shoot multiple rounds per minute because of the ability to load many pellets or shots in a single cartridge.

SizeDiameter in millimetersDiameter in inchesWeight of pellets per (ounce and grams)
92.03 millimeters0.080 inches580 Oz 16442.7g
82.21 millimeters0.087 inches440 Oz 12473.8g
7 ½2.30 millimeters0.090 inches369 Oz 10461g
72.41 millimeters0.095 inches340 Oz 9638.84g
6 ½ 2.51 millimeters0.099 inches300 Oz 8504.86g
62.59 millimeters0.102 inches272 Oz 7711.07g
52.79 millimeters0.110 inches220 Oz 6236.9g
43.05 millimeters0.120 inches170 Oz 4819.42g
33.25 millimeters0.128 inches140 Oz 3968.93g
13.63 millimeters0.143 inches100 Oz 2834.95g
BB4.09 millimeters0.161 inches70 Oz 1984.47g
AAA5.16 millimeters0.203 inches35 Oz 992.233
SSG6.83 millimeters0.269 inches15 Oz 425.243g
Special SG7.57 millimeters0.298 inches11 Oz 311.845g
SG8.43 millimeters0.332 inches8 Oz 226.796g
LG9.14 millimeters0.360 inches6 Oz 170.097g

SHOTGUN AMO BOX INFORMATION CHART

The shotgun ammunition information helps the user be aware of the ballistic characteristics of the range of caliber shotguns can deliver. It is a very versatile gun with a wide range of uses so for your particular needs it is advisable to carefully follow the table below and identify what suits your needs.

Gauge in (inches and centimeters)Weight of shot in (ounces and grams)Impact velocity in (ft per second and meters per second)Drams equivalent
12 to 2- ¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 Oz 28.3495 grams1180 ft per second 359.664 meters per second2-¾ 
12 to 2 -¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 Oz 28.3495 grams1290 ft per second 393.192 meters per second3-¼ 
12 to 2 -¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ⅛ Oz 28.3495 to 3.54369 grams1145 ft per second 348.996 meters per second2-¾ 
12 to 2 -¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ⅛ Oz 28.3495 to 3.54369 grams1200 ft per second 365.76 meters per second3
12 to 2- ¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ⅛ Oz 28.3495 to 3.54369 grams1255 ft per second 382.524 meters per second3-¼ 
12 to 2 -¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ⅛ Oz 28.3495 to 3.54369 grams1300 ft per second 396.24 meters per second3-½ 
12 to 2 -¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ¼ Oz 28.3495 to 7.08738 grams1220 ft per second 371.856 meters per second3-¼ 
12 to 2 -¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ¼ Oz 28.3495 to 7.08738 grams1330 ft per second 405.384 meters per second3-¾ 
12 to 2 -¾ inches   30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ½ Oz 28.3495 to 14.1748 grams1260 ft per second 384.048 meters per second3-¾ 
12 to 2 -¾ inches 30.48 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ⅜ Oz 28.3495 to 10.6311 grams1295 ft per second 394.716 meters per second3-¾ 
12 to 3 inches 30.48 to 7.62 centimeters1 to ⅝ Oz 28.3495 to 17.7185 grams1280 ft per second 390.144 meters per second4
12 to 3 inches 30.48 to 7.62 centimeters 1 to ⅞ Oz 28.3495 to 24.8058 grams1210 ft per second 368.808 meters per second4
20 to 2 -¾ inches 50.8 to 6.985 centimeters⅞ Oz 24.8058 grams1210 ft per second 368.808 meters per second2-½ 
20 to 2 -¾ inches 50.8 to 6.985 centimeters1 Oz 28.3495 grams1165 ft per second 355.092 meters per second2-½ 
20 to 2 -¾ inches 50.8 to 6.985 centimeters1 Oz 28.3495 grams1220 ft per second 371.856 meters per second2-¾ 
20 to 2 -¾ inches 50.8 to 6.985 centimeters1 to ⅛ Oz 28.3495 to 3.54369 grams1175 ft per second 358.14 meters per second2-¾ 
20 to 3 inches 50.8 to 7.62 centimeters1 to 3/16  Oz  28.3495 to 5.315541 grams1195 ft per second 364.236 meters per second3-½ 
20 to 3 inches 50.8 to 7.62 centimeters1 to ¼ Oz 28.3495 to 7.08738 grams1185 ft per second 361.188 meters per second3
28 to 2- ¾ inches 71.12 to 6.985 centimeters¾ Oz 21.2621 grams1200 ft per second 365.76 meters per second2
28 to 2 -¾ inches 71.12 to 6.985 centimeters¾ Oz 21.2621 grams1295 ft per second 394.716  meters per second2-¼ 


Learn more about the differences between SG Vs. BB Shotgun size Cartridges (video)

SG vs BB Shotgun size Cartridges by srspower

Conclusion


Having gone through the product description and details provided in this article, it is just natural to expect that the reader can be confident in handling bb guns of all calibers with utmost efficiency and accuracy. Safety considerations should always be given first priority while handling both the light and heavier pellets at all times.

Additionally, always remember to do a clean-up and collect all the non-biodegradable pallets from the environment. Lastly, it is always advisable to check with your local legislation regarding airguns and the laws governing calibers allowed for civilian use in sports or any other activity.

If you enjoyed reading this bb gun size guide, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

Picture in this post is by Lamna The Shark on Unsplash

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