caliber

IPA: kˈæɫʌbɝ

Diameter of the bore of a firearm, typically measured between opposite lands.
The diameter of round or cylindrical body, as of a bullet, a projectile, or a column.
A nominal name for a cartridge type, which may not exactly indicate its true size and may include other measurements such as cartridge length or black powder capacity. Eg 7.62×39 or 38.40.
Unit of measure used to express the length of the bore of a weapon. The number of calibres is determined by dividing the length of the bore of the weapon, from the breech face of the tube to the muzzle, by the diameter of its bore. A gun tube the bore of which is 40 feet (480 inches) long and 12 inches in diameter is said to be 40 calibers long.
(figuratively) Relative size, importance, magnitude.
(figuratively) Capacity or compass of mind.
(dated) Degree of importance or station in society.
(horology) Movement of a timepiece.

Examples of "caliber" in Sentences

The word caliber is not used when giving the metric measurement.
I agree with you Chad on the 6. 5x55; (love my CZ 550) but the other caliber is the 9. 3x74.
I have no problem with someone using a military style rifle to hunt with provided the caliber is adequate for the job at hand.
In my opinion the caliber is at its best when shots present themselves at 100 yards or more, although I have killed several dear at less than 50 with it.
Our goal when developing loading data for this caliber is achievement of maximum accuracy and down-range energy consistent with safe velocity and pressure constraints.
Trying to predict what weapon or caliber is being used around the country on a variety of species based on what goes on in your part of the world is about like assuming the weather in your backyard is representative of the whole country.
If you could access data reporting the total sale of ammunition by caliber from the three largest manufacturering companies, then extract the data for the most recognized calibers used for whitetail deer and compare the percentages of sales for each caliber to your list of percentages of calibers of B&C entrants, that may be a valid comparison.