What does "High-Caliber" mean???

[Diablito]

I keep hearing the media refer to the AR15 as a "high-Caliber" firearm. It seems to me like it insinuates "Large -Caliber" which really doesn't apply to .223/5.56 at all. I tried googling high-caliber and came up with nothing defining it. Is this just some made up term that means nothing?

[robcoe]

It means it has a high capacity fully automatic shoulder thing that goes up.

[BumBum]

Are you sure you you didn't hear "high-power"? I have never heard "high-caliber" used in the media, but I sure have heard "high-power" used a lot. But even the NRA uses that term in reference to competitions that utilize the likes of 5.56 and .308 caliber rifles, so in that case it may not really be a misnomer.

[Bhobbs]

The media makes up terms as they go so they can make firearms seem as scary as possible.

[Diablito]

Yes, definately heard "High Caliber" a few times in reference to AR15 platform. I've heard it used on NPR, one of the big TV networks( can't remember which one), and videos of anti gun politicians I've watched on you tube. I'm guessing it was first used by someone who doesn't really know anything about firearms and that it sounded sinister enough to stick.

[Danodog]

The media always likes using the action verbage....

"automatic pistol, automatic assault pistol, high capacity automatic pistol, high capacity automatic assault pistol, high capacity automatic assault pistol with cop killer rounds, high capacity automatic assault pistol with cop killer rounds and military type laser sighting system, and finally large caliber, high capacity automatic assault pistol with cop killer rounds and military type laser sighting system....

I don't even want to touch the subject of AR style assault style shotguns....

I will say one thing. The .223 averages around 3000 fps. That tiny bullet is haulin booty.

Dano

[RobertMW]

Sorry, it's the elusive .420 caliber. It's technically not legal here in the US except for a few states. But most anyone can get a card saying that it is legal to own and use anyway. It's just kept on the DL.

[ralph.garmin]

***

[Tanner68]

Since the same media has never referred to any gun as "medium caliber", or "low caliber", "high caliber" is meaningless. It is a term not meant to inform, but rather invoke an emotional response.

The same can be said for media use of the term "high power". You never hear about "medium power" or "low power", even when that would be more apt. For example, I have heard a 30/30 being reported as a high power rifle, when it clearly falls into another category.

[Rickrock1]

Only very long range shooters know what that meaning and reference really means.
Hi caliber is a round or long rifle that can reach out more that 10 miles From square 1.
It's basically a projectile that needs to be Calibrated accordingly by clicks of breaths notches.
Hi caliber rifles basically shoots hi and can only be performed by highly trained and skilled shooters.

AR15 and the 5.56/223 ammo is not long range. The chora and or the meco are examples of long range tools.
Johnny Chingas wrote a good article about this about 30 years ago

[Donk310]

In California, it means anything bigger than an airsoft pellet. Everywhere else... I'm not really sure.

[ERASERHEAD]

It actually means any caliber that a really, really high person is talking about.Period.

[desert dog]

it's the elusive .420 caliber.

[Rickrock1]

Sorry, it's the elusive .420 caliber. It's technically not legal here in the US except for a few states. But most anyone can get a card saying that it is legal to own and use anyway. It's just kept on the DL.

That's pretty crazy that you are familiar with the .420 cal. heavily used in Korea and Vietnam by special forces.
I seeing a documentary on RT news about the Americans using this evil .420 hi caliber round.

[caliberetta]

This is high caliber: