Definition of ammunition
Ammunition must match the firearm and varies by firearm type. The ammunition is made up of four parts, case, primer, gunpowder and projectile. Pistols and rifles use a cartridge (case) that contains a single projectile / bullet. A single piece of ammunition is sometimes called a “round.” Shotgun ammunition uses a projectile (case) that contains a large number of small projectiles (pellets or pellets) or a single bullet.
Ammunition components:
Case: The container that holds all the other components together. Usually made of brass or steel, the cartridges are usually a combination of brass and plastic.
Primer: A very small but explosive chemical compound that, when struck by the firing pin, ignites the gunpowder inside the box. The primer can be placed on the edge of the housing (rimfire cartridge) or in the center of the base (centerfire cartridge).
Powder or gunpowder: A chemical mixture that, when ignited, instantly turns into a forcefully expanding gas. Modern smokeless powder will burn slowly if fired outdoors (out of the box).
Black powder: Much less stable than smokeless power and is explosive even when lit outdoors.
Projectile / Bullet: The solid object that is fired from the barrel of a pistol at the target.
Slug: A solid projectile fired through the barrel of a shotgun, generally used for hunting large mammals.
Shooting: Shotgun pellets, small lead, steel, tungsten alloy, or bismuth pellets.
There are some special rifle cartridges that are loaded with pellets.
Bullet: The common name of the projectile, commonly made of lead, fired with rifles and pistols.
Bullets come in various shapes, sizes, and different materials. The bullet is usually made of lead or it may have a lead core and a covering (cover / cladding) made of copper or a copper alloy.
Bullets used for hunting are generally designed to expand on contact and cause maximum impact.
Metal jacket bullets that do not expand on contact are illegal to hunt.
Bullets used for target shooting usually have solid points or flat points that make smaller holes.
Different types of ammunition
Central fire: The primer is a separate piece and is loaded in the center of the cartridge case. Most ammunition for rifles, shotguns, and pistols is centerfire. Centerfire cartridges are very reliable and can withstand high pressures. Centerfire cartridges can be recharged at least once.
Rimfire: The primer is loaded on the edge (outer edge) of the cartridge case. This type of cartridge is low-power, low-pressure, and is used in small-caliber rifles and pistols. Rimfire ammunition cannot be reloaded.