If you were asked by a casual shooter what were the most powerful calibres then would you:

1) Only include factory calibres

2) In the case of older calibres like the 505 Gibbs would rate that on factory claimed ballistics or what it could do with top loads and good brass.

3) Would you use kinetic energy as the measure.

4) In the case of double rifle calibres such as 450 Number 2 or 475 Number 2 would you base their factory ballistics as the measure or would you rate then on what could be dome with good brass and chambered in something a Ruger # 1

Also, rating calibres on velocity would you base your rankings on muzzle velocity or the velocity for a given sectional density. In other words loads for a 22/250 have a higher speed than 7mm Rem Ultra or 30/378 but the 7mm and 30/378 are much faster than the 22/250 if equal sectional density bullets are used.

Mike