Boulettes

• Powder charge


  Mixture of various compositions designed to propel the projectile by means of its expansive force of gases when it is burned
• Primer


  Ignition system containing a highly sensitive chemical compound that would easily ignite or burst into flame when struck by the firing pin
• Cartridge Components


  • Powder charge
  • Primer
  • Firing pin
  • Cartridge
  • Gun
• The powder charge, when ignited by the primer, is converted to heated gas under high pressure and propels the bullet or shot charge to the barrel and to the target
• General Types of Ammunition

  • Dummy
  • Blank
  • Live
• Dummy


  A replica of a genuine cartridge, a type of cartridge which merely resembles the genuine
• Blank Ammunition


  A type of cartridge without a bullet, containing gunpowder that is designed to generate a loud noise to indicate firing. Usually used for Ceremony, film making, theatrical performance or trainings
• Live Ammunition


  A complete unit of unfired cartridge
• Types of Ammunition According to the Location of the Primer

  • Pin Fire
  • Rim Fire
  • Center Fire
• Pin Fire


  A type of cartridge in which the ignition cap is concealed in the cartridge case and has a pin resting upon, the pin protrudes through the side of the case
• Rim Fire


  A type of cartridge in which the primer is located at the hollow rim of the case, it can be fired by the firing pin hitting the rim (cavity rim)
• Center Fire


  A type of cartridge in which the primer is located at the center of the base of the cartridge case, the priming mixture exploded by the impact of the firing pin on the primer cap
• Parts of a Cartridge Case

  • Base
  • Rim
  • Extracting grooves
  • Primer pockets
  • Body
  • Shoulder
  • Cannelure
  • Neck
  • Crimp
  • Vent or Flash Hole
• Types of Cartridge Case

  • Rimmed
  • Semi-rimmed
  • Rimless
  • Rebated
  • Belted
• Rimmed


  These have a flange at the base which is larger than the diameter of the body of the cartridge case. This flange is to enable the cartridge to be extracted from the weapon in which it is used
• Semi-rimmed


  These have a flange which is slightly larger than the diameter of the cartridge case and groove around the case body just in front of the flange
• Rimless


  In these, the flange diameter is the same as the case body and there is for extraction purposes, a groove around the case body just in front of the flange
• Rebated


  This has an extractor flange which is less than the diameter of the cartridge case
• Belted


  These have a pronounced raised belt extending the base of the cartridge. This belt is for additional strength in high-pressure cartridges
• Types of Cartridge Case Shapes

  • Straight
  • Bottle-necked
  • Tapered
• Straight


  The case diameter is approximately the same along its length. Usually found on cartridges used in automatic weapons
• Bottle-necked


  A wide bodied case is, just before the case mouth, reduced in diameter to that of the bullet. Permits a larger volume of propellant and higher velocities. Common in rifle ammunition
• Tapered


  A wide-based cartridge case is gradually reduced in diameter along its length. Similar to a flower vase. Usually found in old European sporting rifle calibers
• Bullet


  A hard projectile propelled by a firearm, sling or air gun, normally made from metal. Most bullets do not contain explosives, but damage the target by tissue or mechanical disruption through impact or penetration
• The term "bullet" is sometimes erroneously used to refer to a cartridge, which is the combination of bullet, casing (case or shell), gunpowder and primer
• The history of bullets far predates the history of firearms. Originally, bullets were metallic or stone balls used in a sling as a weapon and for hunting
• Bullet


  The missile alone, can be either a lead ball or unfed
• Pellet


  The individual lead or steel balls found in shotgun ammunition, or the projectiles for use in air weapons
• Bullet


  The projectile being discharged or propelled from a firearm, usually comes in a cartridge case which contains the bullet, primer and gunpowder
• Bullet composition


  • Molded primarily from lead, other metals used include copper, brass, bronze, steel, aluminum
  • Jacketed with steel or copper to increase penetration and prevent damage to rifling
• Bullet design


  • Must form a seal with the gun's bore to prevent gas leakage
  • Must engage the rifling without damaging the bore
• Internal ballistics


  What happens to a bullet inside the bore
• Bullet caliber


  The diameter of the inside of a firearm's barrel, which also matches the diameter of the bullet, usually expressed in hundredths of an inch or millimeters
• Types of bullets


  • Lead bullet
  • Jacketed bullet
  • Explosive bullet
  • Incendiary bullet
  • Tracer bullet
  • Blank bullet
  • Dumdum bullet
  • Grenade launcher cartridge
  • Caseless ammunition
• Lead bullet


  • Simple cast, swaged, or otherwise fabricated lead slugs
  • Gas check used to decrease lead deposits and protect the rear of the bullet against melting at higher pressures
• Jacketed bullet


  • Regular lead core coated with a copper alloy to prevent fouling of the barrel
  • Used in pistols and other high powered guns to grip the rifling, prevent bullet damage and feeding jams, and prevent bullet break up in hunting ammunition
• Armour-piercing bullet


  • Hardened steel, tungsten carbide, or depleted uranium core enclosed in a softer jacket
  • Designed to penetrate hardened armoured targets like ballistic vests, vehicle armor, concrete, tanks, etc.
• Explosive bullet


  • Contains a small charge of low explosive that detonates on impact, designed to explode on hitting a hard surface, preferably bone
• Incendiary bullet


  • Contains an explosive or flammable mixture in the tip that ignites on contact with the target, intended to ignite fuel or munitions
• Tracer bullet


  • Leaves a visible mark or trace while in flight, allowing the gunner to see its path and make adjustments