Sometimes on a rifle range you will hear people say, “I’m out of bullets. I need more ammo. Can somebody please get me some more bullets?” At a recent Hunter Safety class I was assisting with one of the young students asked that very question. You should have seen the confused look on his face when I went to my truck and brought him back a box of 100-grain, .257 caliber Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets I’d just purchased as a reloading component.
When people say, “I’m out of bullets,” what they mean is, I am out of cartridges. They don’t realize they are asking for the wrong thing. Simply stated, a bullet is just one of the four main components of a cartridge.
The ammunition used in a rifle or handgun is called a cartridge, and there are two general types of cartridges used by rifle and pistol shooters available today -- centerfire and rimfire. The basic difference is where the primer is located. A rimfire cartridge is so named because the primer is located in the rim of the metallic case. Rimfire cartridges cannot be reloaded. And while many decades ago there were a large number of different rimfire cartridges commonly used, today the most common rimfire cartridge is the .22 Long Rifle (along with the .22 Short and .22 Long.)
The centerfire cartridge is the most common type of cartridge. The primer is located in the center of the bottom of the cartridge case -- hence the name, centerfire. Centerfire cases can be reloaded.
Both rimfire and centerfire cartridges have four main parts. They are:
1) Case
The metallic case holds the primer, powder, and bullet. Cases are sized to fit precisely into the chamber of a given caliber firearm.
2) Primer
The primer consists of the priming compound, which in the case of a centerfire cartridge is located in small metal cup that’s seated in a hole in the bottom of a centerfire cartridge. In the case of a rimfire cartridge, the priming compound is located in the rim of the metallic case. In both cases this priming compound explodes when struck by the firing pin. This is what ignites the powder.
3) Powder
Once ignited by the primer, the powder burns rapidly, creating a gas that expands rapidly. The resulting pressure from this expanding gas pushes the bullet down the barrel and out the firearm’s muzzle.
4) Bullet
The bullet is the component that flies out the barrel and downrange, hopefully striking the target where you’ve aimed.
So, next time a buddy asks for more “bullets,” you’ll know what he really means. He needs more cartridges.
FAQs
consists of a tube (the cartridge case) with the bullet affixed at the front end, the percussion cap or primer at the base, and the propellant powder contained in the tube between.
What does a cartridge consist of? ›
Cartridge: A unit of ammunition, made up of a cartridge case, primer, powder, and bullet. Also called a "round", or “load”. Sometimes incorrectly called a “bullet”. Cartridge case: The container for all the other components that comprise a cartridge.
Which of the four cartridge components is propelled through the bore? ›
When the firing pin hits the primer, it ignites the gunpowder, which propels the bullet out the barrel.
How does a firearm work (4 steps)? ›
The trigger is squeezed, releasing the firing pin, which moves forward with great force. The firing pin strikes the primer, causing it to explode. The spark from the primer ignites the gunpowder. Gas converted from the burning powder rapidly expands in the cartridge.
What are at least four other marks that are used to identify a cartridge casing? ›
Home > Cartridge and Shotshell Examination > Identification Process > Possible Toolmarks
| Toolmark | Image |
|---|
| Extractor marks | Extractor marks Courtesy of Jack Dillon |
| Ejector marks | Ejector marks Courtesy of Jack Dillon |
| Anvil marks | Anvil marks Courtesy of AFTE |
| Ejection port marks | Ejection port mark |
6 more rowsBrass is the most commonly used material in the production of the modern cartridge case. Mild steel cartridge cases and bullet jackets are manufactured outside of the United States. Another alternative material is aluminum alloy, which is used to produce centerfire cartridge cases.
What are the components of a blank cartridge? ›
typical rimfire blank cartridge consists of three, separate components: the case, the primer and the propellant and no projectile.
What is the rim part of the cartridge? ›
A rim is an external flange that is machined, cast, molded, stamped, or pressed around the bottom of a firearms cartridge. Thus, rimmed cartridges are sometimes called "flanged" cartridges.
What are the four basic parts of ammunition? ›
The basic components of ammunition are the case, primer, powder, and projectile(s).
What's in a cartridge? ›
Most quality cartridges contain either CO2, hydrocarbon or distilled extracts, or a combination thereof, and most have flavor added. Some add cannabis-derived terpenes to a distillate to approximate the original characteristics of the plant/cultivar from which it came.
Final answer: The component 'Choke' is not part of a cartridge or shotgun shell; it is a constriction in the shotgun barrel that affects the shot spread. A wad, bullet, and slug are all parts of ammunition.
What are the 4 components of a metallic cartridge? ›
The 4 components of self contained cartridge are the case, primer, powder, and bullet. Casing: The container that holds all the components together. The case can be made of brass, steel, or copper for pistols and rifles.
What are the parts of a cartridge case? ›
The cartridge case is the envelope (container) of a cartridge. For rifles and handguns it is usually a metal cylindrical tube, normally made of brass but sometimes of steel. It holds the bullet at the neck, the propellant charge inside, and the primer in its base.
What are the three most common malfunctions of a cartridge? ›
Common firearm malfunctions
- Misfire. This occurs when the trigger is pulled and the firearm does not fire. ...
- Hangfire. This occurs when the trigger is pulled and the firearm is delayed in firing. ...
- Squib load or 'pop fire' This occurs when the trigger is pulled and you only hear a slight pop and do not feel any recoil.
cartridge. cartridge, in weaponry, unit of small-arms ammunition, composed of a metal (usually brass) case, a propellant charge, a projectile or bullet, and a primer.
What is the component of shotgun cartridge? ›
The basic components of shotgun ammunition are the case, primer, powder, projectile(s), and wad.
What are 3 different types of materials used to make cartridge casing? ›
Brass is the most commonly used material in the production of the modern cartridge case. Mild steel cartridge cases and bullet jackets are manufactured outside of the United States. Another alternative material is aluminum alloy, which is used to produce centerfire cartridge cases.
