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Posted On: 2/10/2025
By: Keisha
A: Hi Keisha! "Velocity" just refers to how fast the bullet is moving. It's usually measured in feet per second, or fps. For context, 1,125 fps is around the speed of sound. Many cartridges have higher velocities than others. For example, a 45 ACP bullet's velocity is usually around 830 fps at the muzzle – much lower than the 357 SIG's 1,250 fps muzzle velocity. A bullet gradually loses its muzzle velocity the further it travels downrange. Velocity isn't the sole factor which determins how much damage a cartridge can inflict. Bullet weight and design both matter, too. Really, the phrase doesn't describe all that much, and can be disregarded if you're just buying ammo for practice or defense.