Projectile range: from a crossbow to a 155mm howitzer
Compare two public distances over a schematic terrain: crossbows, handgun and rifle cartridges, .50 calibre, mortars, 120mm guns and 155mm artillery.
Medieval European crossbow · 80 m — M777 155mm howitzer · 25 km
M777 155mm howitzer reaches about 308.8 times farther than Medieval European crossbow
Both lines start at the same point. Each interval multiplies distance: this is not a trajectory or geographic route.
Medieval European crossbow *
80 m · reference effective range
Approximate effective-shot reference, not maximum flight distance.
M777 155mm howitzer
25 km · published maximum range
Maximum with conventional ammunition; assisted rounds have different figures.
Full scale
Select a row to compare it as the red line.
* Estimate, variable figure or condition-dependent envelope. It does not indicate accuracy, effectiveness or effects.
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What each range means
For small arms the tool prioritises a reference effective range; for mortars and howitzers it shows the published maximum for the stated ammunition. These are not equivalent measures, so every selection is labelled. The graphic does not represent accuracy, trajectory or effects.
Why not always compare maximum range?
A bullet's maximum flight distance can be far greater than its effective range and would be misleading. We use public practical references for small arms; artillery sheets usually publish the system-and-ammunition maximum.
Does calibre alone determine range?
No. The weapon, ammunition, barrel length and external conditions all matter. That is why the tool names particular systems or uses rather than diameters alone.
More context: Weapons · Military history
Sources / References
- Royal Armouries and The Metropolitan Museum of Art catalogues for historical bows and crossbows.
- U.S. Army public technical manuals for pistols, rifles, the M2 machine gun and artillery ammunition.
- NATO public standardisation material for small-arms ammunition.
- BAE Systems, KNDS, Thales and Rheinmetall public sheets for M777, CAESAR, PzH 2000 and mortars.
- Imperial War Museums and historical technical manuals for the Flak 18/36 and M114.