Page "Cartridge (firearms)" Paragraph 16

There is considerable variation in cartridge nomenclature.

Names sometimes reflect various characteristics of the cartridge ; for example, the. 308 Winchester uses a bullet of 308 / 1000-inch diameter and was standardized by Winchester.

Conversely, cartridge names often reflect nothing related to the cartridge in any obvious way ; for example, the. 218 Bee uses a bullet of 224 / 1000-inch diameter, fired through a. 22-in bore, etc.

the 218 and Bee portions of this cartridge name reflect nothing other than the desires of those who standardized that cartridge.

Many similar examples exist, for example:. 219 Zipper,. 221 Fireball,. 222 Remington,. 256 Winchester,. 280 Remington,. 307 Winchester,. 356 Winchester, etc.