3 - Gun Caliber (CAL) Field Codes
Firearms are identified by make, model, serial number, type (rifle, shotgun, etc.), and cartridge-type designation. Cartridge
types are most often expressed in calibers (decimals of an inch) or in millimeters, for example the .357 Magnum and 9 mm
Luger. It is also possible for the same cartridge to have both an English and a metric designation. For example, the .308
Winchester is also known as the 7.62x51 NATO. A weapon with this cartridge-type designation could be entered using either
the CAL 308 or 762. Entries should be made based on the markings on the weapon.
Many ammunition and weapon manufacturers name cartridge types after the company. One example is the 7mm Remington
Magnum that was developed by the Remington Arms Company. The manufacturer associated with a cartridge type should not
be confused with the make of the firearm. For example, the .38 Smith & Wesson(S & W) Special cartridge was developed by
Smith & Wesson, but many companies manufacture weapons chambered for this cartridge type.
The Caliber (CAL) Field is intended to contain the broad cartridge-type designation of a firearm. Because of the volume of
cartridge types and the differing methods of measurement used (English, metric, or gauge) in identifying them, the table below
has been prepared to assist in data entry. The "CAL" column contains the CAL codes, and the "Common Names/Examples"
column contains common cartridge-type designation examples. In cases of ambiguity in cartridge-type designations, further
identifying information, if available, should be placed in the Miscellaneous (MIS) Field.
Users will note that some cartridge types have more than one designation. Additionally, due to existing programming, the
NCIC System does not distinguish between some cartridge types with similar designations. The .308 Winchester/7.62x51
NATO, as noted above, could be entered as either 308 or 762. If entered as 762, no distinction between a 7.62x51 NATO,
a 7.62x39 Soviet, or a 7.62 mm Tokarev would be made. Users should be aware of this when making Gun File inquiries,
especially if an inquiry leads to multiple hits on firearms with similar cartridge-type designations.
The gauge system of bore measurement is unique and totally different from the English caliber or metric methods of
measurement. Shotgun gauges are normally expressed as whole numbers, followed by the word "gauge" or an abbreviation
for it, for example 12-gauge or 12-ga. Under the English system of shotgun gauges, the lower the numerical value, the larger
the bore diameter. With most common shotgun cartridge types, the bore diameter when expressed in decimals of an inch or
millimeters is not the same as the gauge. A 12-gauge's bore diameter is not .12 caliber; nor is it 12 millimeters. The exception
is the 410-gauge; it is a true .41-caliber bore diameter. There are also metric designations in use (listed below), but these will
usually be designated in millimeters or with the abbreviation "mm." The appropriate gauge should be entered in the CAL Field.
Some shotgun gauges are numerically the same as some calibers, especially metric designations. The weapon type should be
designated in the Type (TYP) Field to eliminate any confusion.
CAL Common Names/Examples
10 10 MM, .40 S&W PISTOL CARTRIDGES; ALSO USED FOR 10 GAUGE SHOTGUN
11 11 MM MAUSER
12 12.5 MM IS METRIC FOR .50-CALIBER BROWNING MACHINE GUN ROUND; ALSO USED FOR
12 GAUGE SHOTGUN
13 13 MM GYROJET ROCKET PISTOL/CARBINE
14 .14 WALKER HORNET, 14/221, 14-222
16 16 GAUGE SHOTGUN
17 .17 REMINGTON
177 .177 CALIBER (.17 CALIBER) IS MOST OFTEN USED IN AIRGUNS
20 20 GAUGE SHOTGUN
204 .204 RUGER, REMINGTON, SAVAGE
22 .22 SHORT/LONG/LONG RIFLE RIMFIRE CARTRIDGE FAMILY; ALSO .22
HORNET, .22-250, .220 SWIFT, .222 REMINGTON, .223 REMINGTON, 22 CALIBER
SMOOTHBORE, ETC.
221 .221 REMINGTON FIREBALL
222 .222 REMINGTON, .222 REMINGTON MAGNUM
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