Ammunition Chapter 2

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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of centre fire ammunition?

The bullet and propellant are a single solid piece.

It is sealed with a wax plug.

It has a thick, heavy head with a pocket for the primer cap. (correct)

It has no primer cap.

How does caseless ammunition differ from traditional cartridges?

It comes with a removable case mouth seal.

The propellant forms around the bullet as a single solid piece. (correct)

The primer is enclosed in a metallic cup.

It includes a cartridge case.

What distinguishes blank ammunition from standard bulleted ammunition?

It includes a missile.

It contains an active explosive charge.

It is sealed using a wax plug or paper disc. (correct)

It has a crimped case mouth.

What type of substance is contained in tear-gas cartridges?

A lachrymatory gas. Signup and view all the answers

What is typically used in power tool cartridges to indicate strength?

A colour-coding system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of dummy cartridges?

To practice safe loading and unloading of weapons Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes grenade launcher cartridges from standard blank ammunition?

They typically have a crimped case mouth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of snap caps in firearm training?

To prevent damage to the firearm during dry firing Signup and view all the answers

What does a Boxer primer utilize to crush the priming compound?

A small bent disc of steel as an anvil Signup and view all the answers

In rimfire ammunition, how is the priming compound ignited?

By crushing the soft hollow rim against the barrel Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary material used for early ammunition projectiles due to its ballistic properties?

Lead Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT an early system for including the priming charge within the cartridge?

Rimless Signup and view all the answers

When did the pinfire system reach its peak popularity?

1890 to 1910 Signup and view all the answers

What mixture constituted the 'black powder' propellant used in ammunition by the fifteenth century?

Charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant drawback of early attempts at creating priming charge systems like the pinfire?

Short life span of popularity Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason that lead remained preferred for ammunition projectiles?

It provides higher velocity Signup and view all the answers

In ammunition history, which calibre was commonly available for pinfire revolvers?

15 mm Signup and view all the answers

Which projectile shape was used for early ammunition before standardization?

Irregularly shaped Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a rimmed cartridge case?

It has a flange larger than the body diameter for extraction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of semi-rimmed cartridge cases?

They feature a groove near the flange that aids in extraction. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cartridge case has the same diameter for the flange and the body?

Rimless Signup and view all the answers

What is the designation used for rebated cartridge cases in the metric system?

RB Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about tapered cartridge cases is true?

They are characterized by a gradual reduction in diameter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the raised belt in belted cartridge cases?

To provide additional strength in high-pressure cartridges Signup and view all the answers

How is the bore size of shotguns calculated?

By determining the number of lead balls that weigh 1 lb of the same diameter as the barrel Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of wad used in shotgun cartridges?

Muzzle wad Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the bore size of shotguns from that of rifled weapons?

Bore size in shotguns is based on lead ball weight Signup and view all the answers

What is described by the term 'dust shot' in the context of shotgun ammunition?

Extremely small pellets used in shotgun cartridges Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Objectives of Ammunition Study

Understand different types of ammunition.
Identify various parts of ammunition.
Recognize the significance of ammunition in ballistics.

History of Ammunition

Early ammunition included loose powder and irregular projectiles.
By the 15th century, standardized ammunition utilized black powder (charcoal, sulfur, potassium nitrate).
Lead became the preferred projectile material due to its ballistics properties and ease of casting.

Ammunition Types

Pinfire: Popular from 1890-1910, limited availability by 1940 in the UK, used calibres included 5, 7, 9, 12, and 15 mm.
Centre Fire Ammunition: Made from brass with a heavy head and a primer pocket to ignite the propellant.
Caseless Ammunition: Missing a cartridge case; the primer is located at the rear of the propellant.
Blank Ammunition: Similar to bulleted ammunition but without a projectile; sealed with crimping or plugs.
Tear-Gas Cartridges: Contain lachrymatory gases like CN or CS, similar design to blank ammunition.
Power Tool Cartridges: For tools and vary in caliber, often color-coded to indicate strength.
Grenade Launcher Cartridges: Designed for discharging grenades; identified by crimped case mouths and specific color coding.
Dummy Cartridges: No primer or powder; used for training and safe handling of weapons.
Snap Caps: Used for dry firing to prevent damage to the firing mechanism; usually rubber or plastic in place of the primer.

Priming Systems

Rimfire Ammunition: Firing pin crushes the hollow rim to ignite the primer.
Centre Fire Ammunition: Uses a priming cup with an anvil to contain and crush the priming compound.
Boxer Primer: Self-contained design developed by Colonel Boxer in 1866, utilizes a bent steel disc as anvil.

Cartridge Case Types

Rimmed: Features a flange for extraction; identified with 'R' in metric measurements.
Semi-rimmed: Slightly larger flange than the case diameter; identified as 'SR'.
Rimless: Flange matches the case diameter; lacks a designation system.
Rebated: Extractor flange is smaller; identified by 'RB'.
Belted: Raised belt for strength; identified with 'B', used in high-powered cartridges.

Shotgun Ammunition

Calibres are referred to by bore diameter; above .410, gauge measures the number of lead balls weighing 1 lb.
A 12-bore shotgun has a barrel diameter of 0.729 inches.
Shotgun ammunition can contain various missile configurations, from single slugs to ‘dust shot.’

Shotgun Cartridge Components

Includes over/undershot card, overcharge card, wad column, base wad, shot column, rollover crimp, and felt cushion wads.

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Description

This quiz covers the key aspects of ammunition, including its different types and parts, as well as its significance in ballistics. Dive into the historical context and understand the critical role ammunition plays in firing mechanisms. Test your knowledge on the essentials of ammunition.