Yes, there seems to be a lot of technical terms that beginners face when dealing with ammunition for their firearms. In this series, we go over many of the basic terms regarding ammunition.
First, many instructors will tell you that ammunition, cartridges, and bullets are all different things, and it can be a little confusing.
Ammunition
Although the dictionary will refer to “a supply or quantity of bullets and shells”, we can break this down to mean a supply of “bullets” (for rifles and pistols) and “shells” (for shotguns). The term bullet here is meant to mean a cartridge.
Cartridge
The cartridge is what a lot of people mean when they say bullet, because it consists of all 4 parts of our rifle and pistol ammunition.
Pistol Cartridge
In the picture, you can see the parts of two kinds of cartridges.
1. The Bullet – this is the projectile that’s fired from a gun.
2. The Case – simply holds the components together and is usually made of brass, steel or aluminum.
3. The Gun Powder – is the propellant that ignites and causes the bullet to leave the firearm.
4. The Primer – when struck, it ignites the powder. This compound is usually in the center or around the rim of the case. You’ll hear the terms “rimfire” or “center fire” based on where the primer is located on the case.
Caliber
This is simply the approximate measure of the internal diameter of your gun’s barrel. The interior of the barrel is called the Bore of the gun. So a gun that is 45 caliber .45 of an inch, it can also be a metric number 9mm. The important thing to remember is to buy the matching caliber ammunition for your gun; this is a matter of safety for you and your firearm.
Looking at a typical box of ammo, you’ll notice things like:
The Brand – there are many manufacturers of ammunition, some large companies and very small ones. Here are some of my favorite common brands: Remington UMC, Federal Premium, Winchester, Eley, and FIOCCHI. (There are many more)
A typical 9mm box of ammo may have printed on its side panel:
” 9mm NATO 124 GRAIN FULL METAL JACKET 50 cartridges.”
In simple terms, it is 9mm, and here’s what the other terms mean:
NATO – specifies the NATO specification for this ammunition (it develops higher pressure and shouldn’t be used in old guns unless the manual states it)
124 GRAIN – this indicates the weight of the bullet (not the whole cartridge). 1 grain is about 0.0023 ounces. Typical 9mm ammo is 115 GRAIN.
FULL METAL JACKET – Most bullets are made with lead, and these bullets have a full metal covering over the lead bullet.
50 cartridges – the number of cartridges in the box
As you can see, there are many variables you can consider, but which will work best in your gun?
My advice is always check your manual and if need seek out a professional for advice. Most instructors, gunsmiths, and firearms manufacturers will be happy to help you out. Try a few brands and see which you like. What works well in one gun may not always work best in another.
Till next time, “Stay Safe and Shoot Safely.”