Alex:

I suppose I was not too clear, but I was thinking more about the caliber of the modern army shoulder weapons compared to Civil War weapons' calibers. As you know modern military riffles are small caliber with fast burning more rapid propelling powder with a much greater range. I really was not comparing the performance of the .58 riffled musket of the Civil War with the modern 50 caliber sniper riffle. The longest recorded kill with the 50 caliber sniper weapon is a little more than 3000 meters in Afghanistan and the range of the .58 riffled musket was much shorter. I was more interested in comparing the size of the bullets. I like your apples to oranges idea.

William Tarver