The Biggest Bullets Ever Made in History

The 2-bore was designed not just to take down a single waterfowl but to eliminate an entire flock with one shot. However, very few guns were ever built to handle these monstrous rounds.

How big is big?

A .45 Magnum is often considered a large and powerful round, but it's tiny compared to the giants in the history of firearms. Many of these colossal bullets required massive guns to fire, while others could surprisingly fit into smaller handheld weapons. Regardless of size, they were all incredibly deadly, showcasing the peak of technology at their time.

From bullets designed to take down bull elephants to those capable of leveling entire towns, here’s a look at the biggest bullets ever made in history.

Biggest Rifle Bullet Ever Made – .950 JDJ

Weight: 3,600 grains

Caliber: 24.1 mm

The .950 JDJ holds the title of the largest true rifle cartridge ever designed. Each round weighs an enormous 3,600 grains (about 8.2 ounces) and delivers a staggering 38,685 ft/lbs of force. For context, a standard .308 Winchester produces just 2,000–3,000 ft/lbs of force.

Despite its size, the use of .950 JDJ rounds is legal in the United States. Rifles chambered for these rounds are classified as Title I weapons, meaning ownership requirements vary by state, but they’re accessible to most people over 18.

However, firing these rounds is not for the faint-hearted. With recoil so immense, the rifles built to chamber .950 JDJ feature 18 lb muzzle brakes and weigh between 85 to 120 lbs to dampen the force. Even with these measures, the recoil is still significant, sometimes damaging the gun itself.

Biggest Shotgun Bullet Ever Made – 2 Bore

Weight: 3,500 grains

Caliber: 33.7 mm

The 2 bore shotgun round was designed to obliterate not one bird but an entire flock. These rounds were so massive that even the largest shotguns, such as punt guns, often couldn't chamber them. Only a handful of guns were specifically designed to fire these massive rounds.

Despite their size, 2 bore rounds carried a relatively low velocity, producing about 17,500 ft/lbs of energy. Today, the 2 bore caliber is largely obsolete and no longer in production.

Biggest Handgun Bullet Ever Made – .700 Nitro Express

Weight: 1,000 grains

Caliber: 17.8 mm

Initially a rifle cartridge, the .700 Nitro Express made its way into handguns at the request of a daring big-game hunter. This cartridge was originally designed to take down elephants in a single shot.

Weighing 2.3 ounces, the .700 Nitro Express delivers a massive 8,900 ft/lbs of muzzle energy. Managing the recoil is no small feat—160 ft/lbs of force, which is over ten times the recoil of a standard .308 Winchester round.

For those interested, these rounds are still in production, but they come with a hefty price tag of around $100 per cartridge.

Largest Autocannon Bullet Ever Made – German BK 7.5

Weight: 105,000 grains

Caliber: 75 mm

The German BK 7.5 was a massive autocannon round developed during World War II. Weighing approximately 15 lbs, these rounds were initially designed for the Pak 40 anti-tank gun and later adapted for aircraft-mounted cannons.

These bullets were powerful enough to pierce the heaviest tank armor of the era, making them a cornerstone of German military firepower.

The Biggest Bullet Ever Made in History – Unnamed 800mm Round

Weight: 15,700 lbs

Caliber: 800 mm

The largest bullet ever made was created for the Schwerer Gustav, the largest artillery gun ever built. Each bullet weighed as much as an African elephant and could level entire bunkers with ease. Just a few of these rounds could obliterate a small town.

These bullets represent the peak of raw firepower before the advent of nuclear weapons. While the Schwerer Gustav was destroyed during World War II, some of its bullets are preserved in museums, such as the Imperial War Museum in London.

The history of firearms has seen incredible innovations, and these massive bullets are a testament to human ingenuity in designing weapons of immense power. If you enjoyed this article, feel free to share it. And if you’re in the market for ammunition, be sure to check out the wide selection in our store!