Fundamental Motivation (talk | contribs) →Blank ammunition: added details about how fools killed Brandon Lee |
Writ Keeper (talk | contribs) rv good faith but soapboxy, non-encyclopedic edits; will work on incorporating what I can of them into the article |
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==Design== |
==Design== |
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[[File:Cartridge Sample 2.jpg|center|thumb|900px|1)[[17 HM2]] 2) [[17 HMR]] 3) [[22LR]] 4) [[22 WMR]] 5) [[17 SMc]] 6) [[5mm/35 |
[[File:Cartridge Sample 2.jpg|center|thumb|900px|1)[[.17 HM2]] 2) [[.17 HMR]] 3) [[.22LR]] 4) [[.22 WMR]] 5) [[.17 SMc]] 6) [[5mm/35 SM4]] 7) [[.22 Hornet]] 8) [[.223 Remington]] 9) [[.223 WSSM]] 10) [[.243 Winchester]] 11) [[.243 Winchester Improved (Ackley)]] 12) [[.25-06]] 13) [[.270 Winchester]] 14) [[.308]] 15) [[.30-06]] 16) [[.45-70 Govt]] 17) [[.50-90 Sharps]]]] |
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The cartridge case seals a [[Chamber (firearms)|firing chamber]] in all directions |
The cartridge case seals a [[Chamber (firearms)|firing chamber]] in all directions except down the [[Gun barrel|bore]]. A [[firing pin]] strikes the primer, igniting it. A jet of burning gas from the primer ignites the [[Gunpowder|powder]]. Gases from the burning powder (deflagration) expand the case to seal it against the chamber wall. The projectile is then pushed in the direction that has least resistance to this pressure, down the [[Barrel (firearms)|barrel]]. After the projectile leaves the barrel the pressure drops, allowing the cartridge case to contract slightly easing its removal from the chamber.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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Automatic and semiautomatic firearms, which extract and eject the case automatically as a part of their operating cycle, sometimes damage the case in the process of ejection. [[Brass]] is a commonly used material, as it is resistant to corrosion and [[ductile]] enough to be reformed and reloaded several times. However, some low-quality "plinking" ammunition, as well as some military ammunition (mainly from the [[former Soviet Union]] and [[China]]) is made with [[steel]] cases because steel is less expensive than brass. However it cannot be reused and breaks down in the environment through rusting. As militaries typically consider small arms cartridge cases to be a disposable, one-time-use affair, the lack of ductility is inconsequential for this application, although the mass of the case affects how much ammunition a soldier can carry. One downside caused by the lack of ductility is that a layer of carbon soot can blow around the steel case into the chamber and make extraction of rounds difficult. This is less of a problem for weapons of the former Warsaw Pact nations, which were designed with much larger chamber tolerances than NATO weapons. Steel cases found in ammunition are often [[lacquered]], or coated in a thin layer of polymer or copper (referred to as copper-washed) to protect the steel from corrosion prior to firing, after which rusting starts from the inside. Some ammunition is also made with [[aluminum]] cases (see picture). Although more ductile than steel, the low tensile strength of aluminum cases prevents them from being reloaded.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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Automatic and semiautomatic firearms, which extract and eject the case automatically as a part of the normal operating cycle sometimes damage the case in the process of ejection. |
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Critical specifications include [[Calibre|caliber]], bullet weight, expected velocity, maximum pressure, [[headspace (firearms)|headspace]], overall length and [[Percussion cap|primer]] type. A minor deviation in any of these specifications could result in damage to the firearm, and in extreme cases injury or death of the user. The diameter of a bullet is measured either as a decimal fraction of an inch, or in millimeters. The length of a cartridge case may also be designated in millimeters. The stated caliber of any given ammunition or firearm may not necessarily correlate to the exact dimensions.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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[[Brass]] is a commonly used case material. It is resistant to corrosion, can be drawn and work hardened to make useful cases for modern metallic cartridges, and it is[[ductile]] enough to allow reforming so that it can be reloaded several times. |
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Where two numbers are together, the second number can contain a variety of meanings. Frequently the first is the diameter (caliber) of the cartridge, and the second is the length of the cartridge case. For example, the [[7.62×51mm NATO]] uses a bore diameter of 7.62 mm and has an overall case length of 51 mm. In the case of old [[black powder]] cartridges, the second number typically refers to the powder charge. For example, the [[.50-90 Sharps]] is a .50 caliber bullet (.512) with a nominal charge of {{convert|90|gr|g}} of black powder with a case length of {{convert|2.50|in}}.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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Some "plinking" ammunition, as well as some military ammunition (mainly from the [[former Soviet Union]] and [[China]]) is made with [[steel]] cases because steel is less expensive than brass. It is not feasible to reuse steel cases and these rapidly deteriorate in the environment through rusting. As military forces typically consider small arms cartridge cases to be a disposable, one-time-use, devices these limitations are inconsequential for those applications. However, case weight (mass) affects how much ammunition a soldier can carry, so the lighter steel cases do have a military advantage; conversely, steel is more susceptible to contamination and damage so all such cases are varnished or otherwise sealed against the elements but that seal is relatively fragile and such ammunition must be handled more carefully from the time of manufacture until use. |
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Cartridge nomenclature is inconsistent and must be carefully considered. The [[.38 Special]] actually has a bullet diameter of {{convert|0.357|in}} (jacketed) or {{convert|0.358|in}} (lead) while the case has a nominal diameter of {{convert|0.380|in}} to allow the projectile to fit within a case with a wall thickness of half of the 23/1000 of an inch difference. The [[.357 Magnum]] is a direct evolution of the .38 Special, but differently named, and no reference is made to the longer case except by the name 'Magnum'. The .30-06 rifle round is a (nominally) {{convert|.30|in}} caliber round designed in 1906; and the .303 British chamber and bore may vary greatly in actual dimensions. It is prudent to slug the barrel to determine the actual diameter prior to using.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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One downside caused by the increased strength of steel in the neck of these cases (compared to the annealed neck of a brass case) is that propellant gas can blow back past the neck of the steel case and into the chamber. Constituents of these gases condense on the (relatively cold) chamber walls. This solid propellant residue can make extraction of fired cases difficult. This is less of a problem for guns of the former Warsaw Pact nations, which were designed with much larger chamber tolerances than NATO guns are. |
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Most high-powered firearms have relatively small projectiles moving at high speeds. This is because while bullet [[Kinetic energy|energy]] increases in direct proportion to bullet weight, it increases more so in proportion to the square of bullet velocity. Therefore, a bullet going twice as fast has four times the energy (see [[physics of firearms]]). Bullet speeds are now limited by starting bore pressures, which in turn are limited by the strength of chamber and barrel materials and the weight of the firearm people are willing to carry. Larger cartridges have more powder, a heavier projectile and usually high velocities.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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As noted, steel ammunition cases are always [[lacquered]], or otherwise coated (with a thin layer of polymer (plastic) or copper (by electrolytic deposition) to protect the steel from corrosion prior to firing. After firing, rusting starts from the inside and at any interruptions of the coating. |
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⚫ | Of the thousands of different designs and developments that have occurred, essentially only two basic cartridge designs remain. All current firearms are either rimfire or centerfire (rimmed and rimless). US military small arms suppliers are still trying to perfect [[electronic firing]], which replaces the conventional firing pin and primer with an electrical ignition system wherein an electrical charge ignites the primer.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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Some ammunition is made with [[aluminum]] cases (see picture). Although more ductile than steel, such cases will rapidly destroy normal resizing dies and present other problems to handloaders so the manufacturers deliberately use non-standard primer sizes to discourage handloaders from attempting to reuse these cases. See Cartridges of the World, various articles and discussions in various editions. |
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Critical cartridge specifications include [[Calibre|caliber]], bullet weight, expected velocity, maximum pressure, [[headspace (firearms)|headspace]], overall length, [[Percussion cap|primer]] type, case body diameter and taper, shoulder design, rim type, etc (generally, every characteristics of a specific cartridge type is tightly controlled and few types are interchangeable in any way, exceptions do exists but generally, these are only where a shorter cylindrical and rimmed cartridge can be used in a longer chamber, e.g., 22 Short in 22 Long Rifle chamber) and centerfire primer type is interchangeable. Untoward deviations in any other specifications could result in damage to the firearm and, in extreme instances, injury or death. |
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Bullet diameter is measured either as a fraction of an inch (usually in 1/100ths or in 1/1000ths), or in millimeters. Cartridge case length case can also be designated in inches or millimeters. |
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The name of any given cartridge has absolutely nothing to do with any cartridge or gun dimension. The name is merely the standardized and accepted name. SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) and the European counterpart (CIP) and members of those organizations specify correct cartridge names. Incidentally, cartridge names never include the pernicious naked leading decimal point and while you will see this throughout Wikipedia and elsewhere, it is always factually, logically, and grammatically incorrect). |
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It is a common misnomer to refer to a cartridge as a certain caliber, e.g. 30-06 caliber. The correct full name is 30-06 Springfield. In sporting arms, caliber designates only bore size (in 1/100-inch increments) dozens of unique 30-caliber cartridges exist. |
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Cartridge names sometimes reflect various characteristics of the cartridge; for example, the 308 Winchester uses a bullet of 308/1000-inch diameter and was standardized by Winchester. Conversely cartridge names often reflect nothing related to the cartridge in any obvious way; for example, the 218 Bee uses a bullet of 224/1000-inch diameter, fired through a 22-caliber bore, etc. the 218 and Bee portions of this cartridge name reflect absolutely nothing other than the desires of the folks who standardized that cartridge. |
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Where two numbers are used, the second number might or might not reflect any of a variety of things. Frequently the first number reflects bore diameter (in caliber or mm) of the gun for which the cartridge is designed and the second number reflects case length (in inches or mm). For example, the [[7.62×51mm NATO]] uses a bore diameter of 7.62 mm and has an overall case length of 51 mm (Winchester standardized this cartridge as the 308 Winchester). |
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In older [[black powder]] cartridges, the second number typically refers to the powder charge. For example, the [[50-90 Sharps]] has a 50/100-inch bore and originally used a nominal charge of {{convert|90|gr|g}} of black powder. |
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Many such cartridges were designated by a three-number system, e.g., 45-120-3¼ Sharps: 45-caliber bore, 120 grains of (black) powder, 3¼-inch long case. Other times a similar three-number system indicated bore, charge, and bullet weight (e.g. 45-70-500). |
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Cartridge nomenclature is indeed consistent, the problem is that all too many folks simply do not bother to understand it and use it correctly and this does cause safety and other problems within the shooting sports. |
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The [[38 Special]] actually has a nominal bullet diameter of {{convert|0.357|in}} (jacketed) or {{convert|0.358|in}} (lead) while the case has a nominal diameter of 38-caliber {{convert|0.380|in}}, whence the name (which makes perfectly good historical sense — this is the diameter of the hole drilled through the chambers of 36-caliber cap and ball revolvers when converting those to work with cartridges). Difference in bullet diameter and case diameter reflects thickness of the case mouth (approximately 11/1000-inch per side). The [[357 Magnum]] is a direct evolution of the 38 Special, which evolved from the 38 Colt and the subsequent 38 Long Colt, but was named to reflect bullet diameter, not case diameter. Nothing in the name indicates that it uses a longer case loaded at about twice the pressure but the 'Magnum' portion of the moniker is suggestive of the latter fact. |
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The 30-06 rifle round is (nominally) a 30-caliber (30) military round designed at the Springfield arsenal in 1906 (06); hence the name, 30-06 Springfield. But they might just as well have called it the 30 US Military V3 or any name they saw fit. |
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The 303 British has a bore size that is nominally 303/1000-inch. |
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Most high-powered firearms launch relatively light bullets at high velocity to achieve a specific desired level of kinetic energy within the launched bullet (projectile). This is done because while bullet [[Kinetic energy|energy]] increases in direct proportion to bullet weight (at any given velocity, if the bullet is twice as heavy it caries twice the energy), energy increases in proportion to bullet velocity squared (for any given bullet mass, if the bullet is moving twice as fast if caries four times the energy), see[[physics of firearms]]). But, gun recoil is proportional to bullet mass (weight) times muzzle velocity. So, for any given muzzle energy, in any given gun, the lighter (and faster) the bullet is, the less the recoil is and recoil is always an issue. Also, lighter bullets can shoot flatter across the useful range and have other advantages. Velocity is king and has been king since the first cave man figured out that he could do more good with a spear than he could with a rock. |
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Bullet speeds are limited by maximum chamber pressure, which in turn is limited by strength of the case and sometimes the gun chamber. At least among rifle designs, most modern guns and cases have a similar pressure limit. Up to a point, larger cartridges in any given bore size can generate more velocity with any given bullet. However case size has practical fundamental limits related to how the best feasible modern propellants burn and as case capacity increases bore damage with each shot increases. At some point, increasing case size merely creates a design that will destroy the barrel before one could develop a safe and useful load. |
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Velocity is also limited by fundamental characteristics of the propellant gases (mean molecular mass). With conventional propellants, a feasible limit exists at about 6000 fps (1830 mps), regardless of case size or maximum load pressure. See Cartridges of the World, various articles and discussions in various editions. |
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⚫ | Of the thousands of |
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===Centerfire=== |
===Centerfire=== |
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[[Image:.303ammunition.jpeg|right|thumb|Rimmed, Mk. VII centerfire [[303 British|303 cartridge]] from WW II. Manufactured by Colonial Ammunition Company, New Zealand.]] |
[[Image:.303ammunition.jpeg|right|thumb|Rimmed, Mk. VII centerfire [[.303 British|.303 cartridge]] from WW II. Manufactured by Colonial Ammunition Company, New Zealand.]] |
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{{Main|Centerfire ammunition}} |
{{Main|Centerfire ammunition}} |
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A centerfire cartridge has a centrally located primer held within a recess in the head |
A centerfire cartridge has a centrally located primer held within a recess in the head / base of the case, which in most modern ammunition, and in some (chiefly premium hunting and match ammunition) manufactured in other countries, can be replaced, so that the brass cartridge case can be reused. Such a cartridge is often [[Centerfire_ammunition#Boxer_primer|Boxer primed]]. A number of European and Asian manufactured military ammunition use an earlier form of cup primer known as a [[Hiram Berdan|Berdan]] primer, which inhibits the easy reuse of the case, because the anvil (on which the primer compound is crushed) is an integral part of the case and can be deformed by firing. With care, it can be reloaded, as Berdan primers are available, yet scarce.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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===Rimfire=== |
===Rimfire=== |
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{{Main|Rimfire ammunition}} |
{{Main|Rimfire ammunition}} |
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Rimfire |
Rimfire cartridges, of which only the popular .22 LR remains in common use, were a popular solution before the centerfire design was fully perfected. They can only be used for fairly low powered cartridges, as the case has to be soft enough to be deformed by the firing pin, which detonates the priming compound in the rim. In the past, 9 mm cartridges were available, as well as .177, .25, etc. cartridges. BB and [[.22 CB|CB caps]] were common, as well as .22 Short and .22 Long.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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Today, [[.22 LR]] (Long Rifle) accounts for much of rimfire ammunition shot. Recently, a [[.17 HMR]] (nominally .172 caliber) rimfire cartridge was released, and has become extremely popular among target shooters as well as small game hunters, due to its high velocity and flat shooting characteristics. .22 LR rounds normally use a soft lead bullet, and can be [[supersonic]] or subsonic. They are often copper-washed both for toxicity reasons and to prevent barrel fouling. .22 Magnum cartridges typically contain copper jacketed lead projectiles. The newer .17 rounds all feature bullets similar in construction to those found in centerfire cartridges, such as copper jacketed lead.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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In the mid- to late-1800s, hundreds of rimfire cartridge designs existed. Today only a few of those, mostly for use in small-caliber guns, remain in general and widespread use. These include the 17 Mach II, 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR), 5mm Remington Magnum (Rem Mag), 22 (BB, CB, Short, Long, Long Rifle), and 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR). But, in some countries rimfire cartridges up to at least 32 caliber are still occasionally offered and even the 44 Henry Rimfire (a circa 1860 cartridge) is still occasionally offered. The [[17 HMR]] (17-caliber) is a recent design that has rapidly become extremely popular among target shooters as well as small game and varmint hunters. It offers high velocity and a relatively flat trajectory. The 17 Mach II has a useful range advantage over the 22 Long rifle. Aguila recently reintroduced the long discontinued 5mm Rem Mag and new guns are being made for this cartridge. |
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Rimfire cases can only be used at relatively low pressure because the wall of the folded rim must be thin enough to easily deform so the blow from the firing pin can crush and thereby ignite the primer compound. (The priming compound deflagrates, rapidly burns, it does not detonate.) Nevertheless, modern rimfire magnums in 17-caliber, 5mm, and 22-caliber generate muzzle energy that is comparable to many smaller centerfire cartridge designs. See Cartridges of the World, various articles and discussions in various editions. |
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Today, [[22 LR]] (Long Rifle) accounts for the vast majority of all rimfire ammunition used. Standard 22 LR rounds use an essentially pure lead bullet. These are offered in [[supersonic]] and subsonic types, as well as target, plinking, and hunting types. These bullets are often copper- or copper-alloy-washed for marketing purposes and are usually waxed for fouling control. No cartridge in history has been as nearly perfected as has the standard 22-rimfire and, of those the 22 Long Rifle is king. |
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⚫ | The [[22 LR]] is also unique because it is the only mainstream cartridge using a |
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The 22 WMR, 5mm Rem Mag, 17 Mach II, and 17 HMR cartridges use gilding metal (95% copper, 5% zinc) jacketed lead-alloy cored bullets. |
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===Semi-automatic vs. revolver cartridges=== |
===Semi-automatic vs. revolver cartridges=== |
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Nearly every [[semi-automatic pistol]] cartridge is "rimless |
Nearly every [[semi-automatic pistol]] cartridge is "rimless", or more explicitly has an inset rim that the extractor engages. Certain exceptions apply, namely for [[.45 ACP]] and [[9×19mm Parabellum|9mm Parabellum]] caliber rimless cartridges, which can be used in revolvers when the cartridges are held in place at the inset with a half-moon clip, which keeps the otherwise flush cartridges held within contact distance of the hammer. [[Revolver]] cartridges, on the other hand, have a rim at the base of the case that seats into the cylinder block to keep the cartridge from moving too far forward in the cylinder. For a visual comparison of similar-sized cartridges with different rims, see [[.380 ACP]] (semi-automatic) vs. [[.38 Special]] (revolver.) |
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Many revolvers have been made to work with cartridges that were designed for use in semi-automatic pistols. These include guns for the [[45 ACP]] and [[9×19mm Parabellum|9mm Parabellum]] rimless cartridges. Normally shooters load the cartridges into half-moon clips (or similar devices that can hold 2, 3, or 6 rounds for a six-shot revolver). These devices allow the revolver extractor to eject unfired rounds and fired cases and to do so en masse. (Just as in a pistol, the case mouth prevents the round from entering too far into the chamber and it is perfectly feasible to fire such rounds in revolvers chambered for use with those cartridges without using a clip but case extraction is problematic. Moreover, some revolvers have been built with spring-loaded extractor lips that enter the rim cut of "rimless cartridges" and extract those cases normally.) |
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Normal [[Revolver]] cartridges have a rim at the base of the case that is larger than the case body and which seats against or into the cylinder block to provide headspace control (to keep the cartridge from moving too far forward in the cylinder chamber) and to provide for easy extraction in guns using a claw extractor (most double-action designs). |
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For a visual comparison of similar-diameter handgun cartridges with different rim designs, see [[380 ACP]] (semi-automatic) vs. [[38 Special]] (revolver.) |
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==Cartridges in use== |
==Cartridges in use== |
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* [[Shotgun slug]]: Slugs may be made of solid lead, copper, or a composite |
* [[Shotgun slug]]: Slugs may be made of solid lead, copper, or a composite. Slugs are stabilized in flight by [[rifling]] in the barrel, by means of integral rifling, or fin-stabilized. Solid or hollow-point slugs are available but, due to the relatively low velocity, hollow-point slugs have relatively low expansion. |
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* [[Flexible baton round|Baton round]]: a generally non-lethal projectile fired from a riot gun. |
* [[Flexible baton round|Baton round]]: a generally non-lethal projectile fired from a riot gun. |
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* Armor Piercing (AP): A hard bullet made from steel or tungsten alloys in a pointed shape typically covered by a thin layer of lead and/or a copper/brass jacket. The lead and jacket are intended to prevent barrel wear from the hard core materials. For [[metallic silhouette]] purposes, AP |
* Armor Piercing (AP): A hard bullet made from steel or tungsten alloys in a pointed shape typically covered by a thin layer of lead and/or a copper/brass jacket. The lead and jacket are intended to prevent barrel wear from the hard core materials. For [[metallic silhouette]] purposes, AP is slightly worse on unarmored targets than FMJ. This is to indicate the hard AP projectiles' tendency not to deform or reliably tumble/yaw. |
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* Flat Nose Lead (FNL): Similar to the above, with a flattened nose. Common in [[Cowboy Action Shooting]] loads |
* Flat Nose Lead (FNL): Similar to the above, with a flattened nose. Common in [[Cowboy Action Shooting]] loads. |
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* Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Made with a lead core surrounded by a full covering of brass, copper, or mild steel. These have very little deformation or expansion, but will occasionally yaw/tumble. Despite the name, a FMJ bullet typically has an exposed lead base, which is not visible in an intact cartridge. {{Main|Full metal jacket bullet}} |
* Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Made with a lead core surrounded by a full covering of brass, copper, or mild steel. These have very little deformation or expansion, but will occasionally yaw/tumble. Despite the name, a FMJ bullet typically has an exposed lead base, which is not visible in an intact cartridge. {{Main|Full metal jacket bullet}} |
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* [[Glaser Safety Slug]]: The Glaser Safety Slug dates back to the early 1970s. The inventor, Colonel Jack Cannon, named it for his friend Armin Glaser. Over the years, the projectiles have evolved from crude, hand-produced examples to mass-production; however, the basic concept has remained the same: copper jackets filled with bird shot and covered by a crimped polymer endcap. Upon impact with flesh, the projectile |
* [[Glaser Safety Slug]]: The Glaser Safety Slug dates back to the early 1970s. The inventor, Colonel Jack Cannon, named it for his friend Armin Glaser. Over the years, the projectiles have evolved from crude, hand-produced examples to mass-production; however, the basic concept has remained the same: copper jackets filled with bird shot and covered by a crimped polymer endcap. Upon impact with flesh, the projectile fragments, with the birdshot spreading like a miniature shotgun pattern. The standard "Blue" Glaser uses a rather fine birdshot that only gives 5 to 6 inches ({{nowrap|130–150 mm}}) of penetration in flesh. The "Silver" Glaser adds another 1 to 2 inches ({{nowrap|30–50 mm}}) of penetration with the use of slightly larger birdshot. Due to the much reduced penetration in flesh, some have theorized that the Glaser would be ideal where over-penetration of a projectile could be hazardous to bystanders. For instance, the Glaser may be stopped by an upraised arm. However, for the same reasons, the Glaser’s terminal performance can vary dramatically, producing impressive successes and equally spectacular failures depending on the angle at which the target is struck. Glancing hits on hard surfaces will result in fragmentation, reducing the risk of ricochets. However, the Glaser can penetrate barriers such as drywall, plywood, and thin sheet metal if struck directly. |
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* Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP): Soon after the invention of the JSP, Woolwich Arsenal in Great Britain experimented with this design even further by forming a hole or cavity in the nose of the bullet while keeping most of the exterior profile intact. These bullets could theoretically deform even faster and expand to a larger diameter than the JSP. In personal defense use, concerns have arisen over whether clothing, especially heavy materials like denim, can clog the cavity of JHP bullets and cause expansion failures. |
* Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP): Soon after the invention of the JSP, Woolwich Arsenal in Great Britain experimented with this design even further by forming a hole or cavity in the nose of the bullet while keeping most of the exterior profile intact. These bullets could theoretically deform even faster and expand to a larger diameter than the JSP. In personal defense use, concerns have arisen over whether clothing, especially heavy materials like denim, can clog the cavity of JHP bullets and cause expansion failures. |
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* Jacketed Soft Point (JSP): In the late 19th century, the Indian Army at [[Dum-Dum Arsenal]], near Calcutta, developed a variation of the FMJ design where the jacket did not cover the nose of the bullet. The soft lead nose was found to expand in flesh while the remaining jacket still prevented lead fouling in the barrel. |
* Jacketed Soft Point (JSP): In the late 19th century, the Indian Army at [[Dum-Dum Arsenal]], near Calcutta, developed a variation of the FMJ design where the jacket did not cover the nose of the bullet. The soft lead nose was found to expand in flesh while the remaining jacket still prevented lead fouling in the barrel. For metallic silhouette purposes, JSP is roughly splitting the difference between FMJ and JHP. It gives more penetration than JHP but has more stopping power than the FMJ. |
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* Round Nose Lead (RNL): An unjacketed lead bullet. Although largely supplanted by jacketed ammunition, this is still common for older revolver cartridges. Some hunters prefer roundnose ammunition for hunting in brush because |
* Round Nose Lead (RNL): An unjacketed lead bullet. Although largely supplanted by jacketed ammunition, this is still common for older revolver cartridges. Some hunters prefer roundnose ammunition for hunting in brush, because the bullet deflects less than sharp-nosed [[spitzer (bullet)|spitzer bullets]], and long range is not required.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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* Total Metal Jacket (TMJ): Featured in some Speer cartridges, the TMJ bullet has a lead core completely and seamlessly enclosed in brass, copper or other jacket metal, including the base. According to Speer literature, this prevents hot propellant gases from vaporizing lead from the base of the bullet, reducing lead emissions. [[Sellier & Bellot]] produce a similar version that they call TFMJ, with a separate end cap of jacket material. |
* Total Metal Jacket (TMJ): Featured in some Speer cartridges, the TMJ bullet has a lead core completely and seamlessly enclosed in brass, copper or other jacket metal, including the base. According to Speer literature, this prevents hot propellant gases from vaporizing lead from the base of the bullet, reducing lead emissions. [[Sellier & Bellot]] produce a similar version that they call TFMJ, with a separate end cap of jacket material. |
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* Wadcutter (WC): Similar to the FNL, but completely cylindrical, in some cases with a slight concavity in the nose. This bullet derives its name from its popularity for target shooting, because the form factor cuts neat holes in paper targets, making scoring easier and more accurate |
* Wadcutter (WC): Similar to the FNL, but completely cylindrical, in some cases with a slight concavity in the nose. This bullet derives its name from its popularity for target shooting, because the form factor cuts neat holes in paper targets, making scoring easier and more accurate. |
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The [[Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907|Hague Convention of 1899]] bans the use of expanding projectiles against the military forces of other nations. Some countries accept this as a blanket ban against the use of expanding projectiles against anyone, while others<ref>The US did not sign the complete [[Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907|Hague Convention of 1899]] in any case, but still follows its guidelines in military conflicts.</ref> use JSP and HP against non-military forces such as terrorists and criminals.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
The [[Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907|Hague Convention of 1899]] bans the use of expanding projectiles against the military forces of other nations. Some countries accept this as a blanket ban against the use of expanding projectiles against anyone, while others<ref>The US did not sign the complete [[Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907|Hague Convention of 1899]] in any case, but still follows its guidelines in military conflicts.</ref> use JSP and HP against non-military forces such as terrorists and criminals.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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==Common |
==Common calibers== |
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[[Image:Handguncalibercomparison.jpg|right|thumb|A variety of common pistol cartridges. From left to right: [[22 LR]], [[22 WMR]], [[5.7×28mm]], [[25 ACP]], [[7.62×25mm Tokarev]], [[32 ACP]], [[380 ACP]], [[9×19mm Parabellum]], [[357 SIG]], [[40 S&W]], [[45 GAP]], [[45 ACP]], [[38 Special]], [[357 Magnum]], [[45 Colt]]]] |
[[Image:Handguncalibercomparison.jpg|right|thumb|A variety of common pistol cartridges. From left to right: [[.22 LR]], [[.22 WMR]], [[5.7×28mm]], [[.25 ACP]], [[7.62×25mm Tokarev]], [[.32 ACP]], [[.380 ACP]], [[9×19mm Parabellum]], [[.357 SIG]], [[.40 S&W]], [[.45 GAP]], [[.45 ACP]], [[.38 Special]], [[.357 Magnum]], [[.45 Colt]]]] |
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{{main|Table of pistol and rifle cartridges}} |
{{main|Table of pistol and rifle cartridges}} |
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Ammunition types are listed numerically. |
Ammunition types are listed numerically. |
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* [[22 Long Rifle]] (22 LR): A cartridge which is often used for target shooting and the hunting of small game such as squirrel. Because of its small size, self-defense handguns chambered in 22 rimfire, though less effective than |
* [[.22 Long Rifle]] (.22 LR): A cartridge which is often used for target shooting and the hunting of small game such as squirrel. Because of its small size, self-defense handguns chambered in .22 rimfire, though less effective than centerfire handguns, can be concealed in situations where a larger handgun could not. It is the most commonly fired small arms cartridge, primarily because rimfire ammunition is much cheaper and the recoil from the light .22 cartridge is very mild. |
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* [[22-250]]: A very popular |
* [[.22-250]]: A very popular caliber for short to medium range small game and varmint hunting, pest control and target shooting. The .22-250 is one of the most popular calibers for fox hunting and other pest control in Western Europe due to its flat trajectory and very good accuracy on rabbit to fox sized pests. |
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* [[300 Winchester Magnum]]: |
* [[.300 Winchester Magnum]]: A long range sniping round, it is favored by [[United States Navy SEALs|US Navy SEALs]] and the German [[Bundeswehr]]. While not in the same class as the [[.338 Lapua]], it has roughly the same power as [[7 mm Remington Magnum]], and easily exceeds the performance of [[7.62×51mm NATO]]. |
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* [[30-06 Springfield]] (7.62×63mm): The standard US Army rifle cartridge for the first half of the 20th century. It is a full-power rifle cartridge suitable for hunting most North American game. |
* [[.30-06 Springfield]] (7.62×63mm): The standard US Army rifle cartridge for the first half of the 20th century. It is a full-power rifle cartridge suitable for hunting most North American game. |
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* [[308 Winchester]]: the commercial name of a centerfire cartridge based on the military [[7.62×51mm NATO]] round. Two years prior to the NATO adoption of the 7.62×51mm NATO T65 in 1954, Winchester (a subsidiary of the Olin Corporation) branded the cartridge and introduced it to the commercial hunting market as the 308 Winchester. Winchester's Model 70 and Model 88 rifles were subsequently chambered for the new cartridge. Since then, the 308 Winchester has become the most popular short-action big-game hunting cartridge worldwide. It is also commonly used for civilian |
* [[.308 Winchester]]: the commercial name of a centerfire cartridge based on the military [[7.62×51mm NATO]] round. Two years prior to the NATO adoption of the 7.62×51mm NATO T65 in 1954, Winchester (a subsidiary of the Olin Corporation) branded the cartridge and introduced it to the commercial hunting market as the .308 Winchester. Winchester's Model 70 and Model 88 rifles were subsequently chambered for the new cartridge. Since then, the .308 Winchester has become the most popular short-action big-game hunting cartridge worldwide. It is also commonly used for civilian targets, military sniping and police sharpshooting. |
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* [[357 Magnum]]: Using a lengthened version of the [[38 Special]] case, the 357 Magnum was rapidly accepted by hunters and law enforcement. At the time of its introduction, |
* [[.357 Magnum]]: Using a lengthened and strengthened version of the [[.38 Special]] case, the .357 Magnum was rapidly accepted by hunters and law enforcement. At the time of its introduction, it was claimed to easily pierce the body panels of automobiles and crack engine blocks. |
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* [[40 S&W]]: A shorter-cased version of the [[10mm Auto]]. |
* [[.40 S&W]]: A shorter-cased version of the [[10mm Auto]]. |
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* [[44 Magnum]]: A high powered pistol cartridge designed primarily for hunting. |
* [[.44 Magnum]]: A high powered pistol cartridge designed primarily for hunting. |
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* [[45 ACP]]: The standard US pistol round for about |
* [[.45 ACP]]: The standard US pistol round for about a century. Typical .45 ACP loads are subsonic, making them ideal for suppressed weapons. |
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* [[45 Colt]]: A |
* [[.45 Colt]]: A more powerful .45 caliber round with a lengthened shell designed for the Colt Single Action Army. Other .45 caliber single action revolvers also chamber this round. |
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* [[45-70 Government]]: Adopted by the US Army in 1873 as their standard service rifle cartridge. Most commercial loadings of the cartridge are constrained by the possibility that someone |
* [[.45-70 Government]]: Adopted by the US Army in 1873 as their standard service rifle cartridge. Most commercial loadings of the cartridge are constrained by the possibility that someone may attempt to fire a modern loading in one of the 1873-vintage rifles. However, current production rifles from Marlin, Ruger, and Browning can accept pressures nearly twice as high as the original black powder specs. |
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* [[50 BMG]] (12.7×99mm NATO): Originally designed to destroy aircraft in the First World War,{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} the cartridge still serves an anti-materiel round against light armor. It is used in heavy machine guns and high-powered sniper rifles. Such rifles are intended for destroying military [[matériel]] such as sensitive parts of grounded aircraft and armored transports. Civilian shooters use |
* [[.50 BMG]] (12.7×99mm NATO): Originally designed to destroy aircraft in the First World War,{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} the cartridge still serves an anti-materiel round against light armor. It is used in heavy machine guns and high-powered sniper rifles. Such rifles are intended for destroying military [[matériel]] such as sensitive parts of grounded aircraft and armored transports. Civilian shooters use them for long-distance target-shooting. |
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* [[5.45×39mm]] Soviet: The Soviet response to the [[5.56×45mm NATO]] cartridge. |
* [[5.45×39mm]] Soviet: The Soviet response to the [[5.56×45mm NATO]] cartridge. |
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* [[5.56×45mm NATO]]: Adopted by the US military in the 1960s, it later became the NATO standard assault rifle cartridge in the early 80s, displacing the [[7.62×51mm]]. |
* [[5.56×45mm NATO]]: Adopted by the US military in the 1960s, it later became the NATO standard assault rifle cartridge in the early 80s, displacing the [[7.62×51mm]]. It is a military adaptation of the [[.223 Remington]], a common cartridge for varminting and small game hunting. |
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* [[7×64mm]]: One of the most popular long range varmint and medium to big game hunting |
* [[7×64mm]]: One of the most popular long range varmint and medium to big game hunting calibers in Europe, especially in the countries such as [[France]] and (formerly) [[Belgium]] where the possession of firearms in (former) military calibers is forbidden or more heavily restricted. This calibre is offered by any European rifle maker in both bolt action rifles and as its rimmed version, the 7×65mm R in double and combination rifles. Another reason for its popularity is its flat trajectory, very good penetration and high versatility, depending on what bullet and load are used. Combined with a large choice of different 7 mm bullets available the 7×64mm is used on everything from [[fox]] and [[geese]] to [[red deer]], Scandinavian [[moose]] and [[brown bear]]. |
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* [[7 mm Remington Magnum]]: A long-range hunting cartridge. |
* [[7 mm Remington Magnum]]: A long-range hunting cartridge. |
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* [[7.62×39mm]]: The standard Soviet/ComBloc rifle cartridge from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, it is easily one of the most widely distributed cartridges in the world due to the distribution of the ubiquitous [[Mikhail Kalashnikov|Kalashnikov]] [[AK-47]] series. |
* [[7.62×39mm]]: The standard Soviet/ComBloc rifle cartridge from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, it is easily one of the most widely distributed cartridges in the world due to the distribution of the ubiquitous [[Mikhail Kalashnikov|Kalashnikov]] [[AK-47]] series. |
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* [[7.62×51mm NATO]]: This was the standard NATO rifle round until its replacement by the 5.56×45mm. It is currently NATO's standard sniper rifle and medium machine gun cartridge. In the 1950s it was the standard NATO cartridge for rifles, but recoil and weight proved problematic for the new [[battle rifle]] designs such as the [[FN FAL]] |
* [[7.62×51mm NATO]]: This was the standard NATO rifle round until its replacement by the 5.56×45mm. It is currently NATO's standard sniper rifle and medium machine gun cartridge. In the 1950s it was the standard NATO cartridge for rifles, but recoil and weight proved problematic for the new [[battle rifle]] designs such as the [[FN FAL]]. |
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* [[7.62×54mmR]]: The standard Russian rifle round from the 1890s to the mid-1940s. The "R" stands for rimmed. The 7. |
* [[7.62×54mmR]]: The standard Russian rifle round from the 1890s to the mid-1940s. The "R" stands for rimmed. The 7.62×54R rifle cartridge is a Russian design dating back to 1891. Originally designed for the Mosin-Nagant rifle, it was used during the late Tsarist era and throughout the Soviet period, in machine guns and rifles such as the SVT-40. The Winchester Model 1895 was also chambered for this cartridge per a contract with the Russian government. It is still in use by the Russian military in the Dragunov and other sniper rifles and some machine guns. The round is colloquially known as the "7.62 Russian". The name is sometimes confused with the "7.62 Soviet" round, which refers to the 7.62 × 39 cartridge used in the SKS and AK-47 rifles. |
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* [[32 ACP|7.65×17mm Browning SR]] (32 ACP): A very small pistol round. However, it was the predominant police service cartridge in Europe until the mid-1970s. The "SR" stands for semi-rimmed, meaning cartridge case has small rim and usual groove. |
* [[.32 ACP|7.65×17mm Browning SR]] (.32 ACP): A very small pistol round. However, it was the predominant police service cartridge in Europe until the mid-1970s. The "SR" stands for semi-rimmed, meaning cartridge case has small rim and usual groove. |
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* [[ |
* [[8×57mm IS]]: The standard German service rifle cartridge from 1888 to 1945, the 8×57mm IS (aka 8 mm Mauser) has seen wide distribution around the globe through commercial, surplus, and military sales, and is still a popular and commonly used hunting round in most of Europe, partly because of the abundance of affordable hunting rifles in this caliber as well as a broad availability of different hunting, target and military surplus munition available. |
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* [[9×19mm Parabellum]]: Invented for the German military at the turn of the 20th century, the wide distribution of the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge made it the logical choice for the NATO standard pistol and SMG round. |
* [[9×19mm Parabellum]]: Invented for the German military at the turn of the 20th century, the wide distribution of the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge made it the logical choice for the NATO standard pistol and SMG round. |
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* [[9.3×62mm]]: Very common big game hunting round in Scandinavia along with the [[6.5×55mm]], where it is used as a very versatile hunting round on anything from small and medium game with lightweight cast lead bullets to the largest European big game with heavy soft point hunting bullets. The 9.3×62mm is also very popular in the rest of Europe for Big game, especially driven Big game hunts due to its effective stopping power on running game |
* [[9.3×62mm]]: Very common big game hunting round in Scandinavia along with the [[6.5×55mm]], where it is used as a very versatile hunting round on anything from small and medium game with lightweight cast lead bullets to the largest European big game with heavy soft point hunting bullets. The 9.3×62mm is also very popular in the rest of Europe for Big game, especially driven Big game hunts due to its effective stopping power on running game. |
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* [[12.7×108mm]]: The 12.7×108mm cartridge is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries. It is the approximate Russian equivalent of the NATO .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) cartridge. The differences between the two are the bullet shape, the types of powder used, and that the case of the 12.7×108mm is 9 mm longer and marginally more powerful. |
* [[12.7×108mm]]: The 12.7×108mm cartridge is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries. It is the approximate Russian equivalent of the NATO .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) cartridge. The differences between the two are the bullet shape, the types of powder used, and that the case of the 12.7×108mm is 9 mm longer and marginally more powerful. |
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* [[14.5×114mm]]: The 14.5×114 mm is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries. Its most common use is in the [[KPV heavy machine gun]] found on several Russian Military vehicles. |
* [[14.5×114mm]]: The 14.5×114 mm is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries. Its most common use is in the [[KPV heavy machine gun]] found on several Russian Military vehicles. |
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Later developments rendered this method of priming unnecessary, as, in loading, a portion of the charge of powder passed from the barrel through the vent into the pan, where it was held by the cover and hammer.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
Later developments rendered this method of priming unnecessary, as, in loading, a portion of the charge of powder passed from the barrel through the vent into the pan, where it was held by the cover and hammer.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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The next important advance in the method of ignition was the introduction of the copper [[percussion cap]]. This was only generally applied to the British military musket (the [[Brown Bess]]) in 1842, a quarter of a century after the invention of percussion powder and after an elaborate government test at Woolwich in 1834. The invention that made the percussion cap possible was patented by the Rev. A. J. Forsyth in 1807, and consisted of priming with a fulminating powder made of [[potassium chlorate]], sulphur |
The next important advance in the method of ignition was the introduction of the copper [[percussion cap]]. This was only generally applied to the British military musket (the [[Brown Bess]]) in 1842, a quarter of a century after the invention of percussion powder and after an elaborate government test at Woolwich in 1834. The invention that made the percussion cap possible was patented by the Rev. A. J. Forsyth in 1807, and consisted of priming with a fulminating powder made of [[potassium chlorate]], sulphur and charcoal, which exploded by concussion. This invention was gradually developed, and used, first in a steel cap, and then in a copper cap, by various gunmakers and private individuals before coming into general military use nearly thirty years later.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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The alteration of the military flint-lock to the percussion [[musket]] was easily accomplished by replacing the powder pan by a perforated nipple, and by replacing the cock or hammer that held the flint with a smaller hammer that had a hollow to fit on the nipple when released by the trigger. On the nipple was placed the copper cap containing the detonating composition, now made of three parts of [[potassium chlorate]], two of [[mercury fulminate|fulminate of mercury]] and one of powdered glass. The detonating cap thus invented and adopted, brought about the invention of the modern cartridge case, and rendered possible the general adoption of the [[Breech-loading weapon|breech-loading]] principle for all varieties of [[rifle]]s, [[shotgun]]s and [[pistol]]s. This greatly streamlined the reloading procedure and paved the way for semi- and fully automatic firearms.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
The alteration of the military flint-lock to the percussion [[musket]] was easily accomplished by replacing the powder pan by a perforated nipple, and by replacing the cock or hammer that held the flint with a smaller hammer that had a hollow to fit on the nipple when released by the trigger. On the nipple was placed the copper cap containing the detonating composition, now made of three parts of [[potassium chlorate]], two of [[mercury fulminate|fulminate of mercury]] and one of powdered glass. The detonating cap thus invented and adopted, brought about the invention of the modern cartridge case, and rendered possible the general adoption of the [[Breech-loading weapon|breech-loading]] principle for all varieties of [[rifle]]s, [[shotgun]]s and [[pistol]]s. This greatly streamlined the reloading procedure and paved the way for semi- and fully automatic firearms.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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The first integrated cartridge, was developed in Paris in 1808 by the Swiss gunsmith [[Jean Samuel Pauly]] in association with French gunsmith [[François Prélat]]. Pauly created the first fully self-contained cartridges:<ref name="Smyth">[http://books.google.com/books?id=dHbHS5GhCN4C&pg=PA24&dq=Jean+Samuel+Pauly ''Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue''] by James Smyth Wallace p. 24.</ref> the cartridges incorporated a copper base with integrated [[mercury fulminate]] primer powder (the major innovation of Pauly), a paper casing and a round bullet.<ref name="Pauly">[http://books.google.com/books?id=izGOfMdSm2IC&pg=PA94&dq=Jean+Samuel+Pauly ''Firearms''] by Roger Pauly p. 94.</ref> The cartridge was loaded through the breech and fired with a needle. The needle-activated central-fire [[breech-loading]] gun would become a major feature of firearms thereafter.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=GmQVan-M3ykC&pg=PA121&dq=Jean+Samuel+Pauly&lr= A History of Firearms] by W. Y. Carman p. 121.</ref> Pauly made an improved version, protected by a patent, on 29 September 1812.<ref name="Smyth"/> |
The first integrated cartridge, was developed in Paris in 1808 by the Swiss gunsmith [[Jean Samuel Pauly]] in association with French gunsmith [[François Prélat]]. Pauly created the first fully self-contained cartridges:<ref name="Smyth">[http://books.google.com/books?id=dHbHS5GhCN4C&pg=PA24&dq=Jean+Samuel+Pauly ''Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue''] by James Smyth Wallace p. 24.</ref> the cartridges incorporated a copper base with integrated [[mercury fulminate]] primer powder (the major innovation of Pauly), a paper casing and a round bullet.<ref name="Pauly">[http://books.google.com/books?id=izGOfMdSm2IC&pg=PA94&dq=Jean+Samuel+Pauly ''Firearms''] by Roger Pauly p. 94.</ref> The cartridge was loaded through the breech and fired with a needle. The needle-activated central-fire [[breech-loading]] gun would become a major feature of firearms thereafter.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=GmQVan-M3ykC&pg=PA121&dq=Jean+Samuel+Pauly&lr= A History of Firearms] by W. Y. Carman p. 121.</ref> Pauly made an improved version, protected by a patent, on 29 September 1812.<ref name="Smyth"/> |
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Probably no invention connected with firearms has wrought such changes in the principle of gun construction as those effected by the "expansive cartridge case |
Probably no invention connected with firearms has wrought such changes in the principle of gun construction as those effected by the "expansive cartridge case". This invention has completely revolutionized the art of gunmaking, has been successfully applied to all descriptions of firearms, and has produced a new and important industry: that of cartridge manufacture. Its essential feature is preventing gas escaping the breech when the weapon is fired, by means of an expansive cartridge case containing its own means of ignition. Previous to this invention shotguns and sporting rifles were loaded by means of powder flasks and shot flasks, bullets, wads and copper caps, all carried separately. One of the earliest efficient modern cartridge cases was the pinfire cartridge, developed by French gunsmith [[Casimir Lefaucheux]] in 1836.<ref name="Pistols">Kinard, Jeff (2004) ''Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact'', ABC-CLIO, [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZVnuHX_6bG0C&pg=PA109&dq=Houiller+cartridge#PPA109,M1 p. 109]</ref> It consisted of a thin weak shell made of brass and paper that expanded from the force of the explosion. This fit perfectly in the barrel, and thus formed an efficient gas check. A small percussion cap was placed in the middle of the base of the cartridge, and was exploded by means of a brass pin projecting from the side and struck by the hammer. This pin also afforded the means of extracting the cartridge case. This cartridge was introduced in England by Lang, of Cockspur Street, London, about 1845. Later in 1846, M.Houiller, another Paris gunsmith, improved on the system by introducing a fully metallic cartridge in 1847.<ref name="Pistols"/> |
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In the [[American Civil War]] (1861–65) a breechloading rifle, the Sharps, was introduced and produced in large numbers. It could be loaded with either a ball or a [[paper cartridge]]. After that war many were converted to the use of metal cartridges. The development by [[Smith & Wesson]] (amongst many others) of revolver handguns that used metal cartridges helped to establish cartridge firearms as the standard in the USA by the 1870s although many continued to use percussion revolvers well after that.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
In the [[American Civil War]] (1861–65) a breechloading rifle, the Sharps, was introduced and produced in large numbers. It could be loaded with either a ball or a [[paper cartridge]]. After that war many were converted to the use of metal cartridges. The development by [[Smith & Wesson]] (amongst many others) of revolver handguns that used metal cartridges helped to establish cartridge firearms as the standard in the USA by the 1870s although many continued to use percussion revolvers well after that.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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===Full metal cartridges=== |
===Full metal cartridges=== |
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[[Image:Snider-Martini-Enfield Cartridges.JPG|thumb|left|(From Left to Right): A [[577 Snider]] cartridge (1867), a [[.577/450 Martini-Henry]] cartridge (1871), a later drawn brass 577/450 [[Martini-Henry]] cartridge, and a 303 British Mk VII SAA Ball cartridge.]] |
[[Image:Snider-Martini-Enfield Cartridges.JPG|thumb|left|(From Left to Right): A [[.577 Snider]] cartridge (1867), a [[.577/450 Martini-Henry]] cartridge (1871), a later drawn brass .577/450 [[Martini-Henry]] cartridge, and a .303 British Mk VII SAA Ball cartridge.]] |
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[[Image:Fusil Gras M80 1874 metallic cartridge.jpg|thumb|French Army [[Fusil Gras mle 1874]] metallic cartridge.]] |
[[Image:Fusil Gras M80 1874 metallic cartridge.jpg|thumb|French Army [[Fusil Gras mle 1874]] metallic cartridge.]] |
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[[Image:Lebel 8mm round.jpg|thumb|The [[8 mm Lebel]] ammunition, developed in 1886, the first [[smokeless powder|smokeless gunpowder]] cartridge to be made and adopted by any country.]] |
[[Image:Lebel 8mm round.jpg|thumb|The [[8 mm Lebel]] ammunition, developed in 1886, the first [[smokeless powder|smokeless gunpowder]] cartridge to be made and adopted by any country.]] |
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The first commercially successful all-metal cartridges were [[Rimfire ammunition|rimfire]] cartridges. The first of these was the [[22 BB]] Cap, introduced around 1845. This was followed by the 22 Short in 1857. Larger caliber rimfires were soon introduced. Some of these were used in the [[American Civil War]], including the [[44 Henry]] and [[56-56 Spencer]]. However, the large rimfires were soon replaced by [[centerfire]] cartridges, which could safely handle higher pressures.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
The first commercially successful all-metal cartridges were [[Rimfire ammunition|rimfire]] cartridges. The first of these was the [[.22 BB]] Cap, introduced around 1845. This was followed by the .22 Short in 1857. Larger caliber rimfires were soon introduced. Some of these were used in the [[American Civil War]], including the [[.44 Henry]] and [[56-56 Spencer]]. However, the large rimfires were soon replaced by [[centerfire]] cartridges, which could safely handle higher pressures.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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In 1867 the British war office adopted the [[Eley Brothers|Eley-Boxer]] metallic central-fire cartridge case in the [[Pattern 1853 Enfield|Enfield rifles]], which were converted to [[Snider-Enfield|Snider-Enfield breech-loaders]] on the Snider principle. This consisted of a block opening on a hinge, thus forming a [[false breech]] against which the cartridge rested. The priming cap was in the base of the cartridge, and was discharged by a [[Firing pin#Firing pin vs. striker|striker]] passing through the breech block. Other European powers adopted breech-loading military rifles from 1866 to 1868, with paper instead of metallic cartridge cases. The original Eley-Boxer cartridge case was made of thin coiled brass—occasionally these cartridges could break apart and jam the breech with the unwound remains of the casing upon firing. Later the solid-drawn, central-fire cartridge case, made of one entire solid piece of tough hard metal, an alloy of copper, with a solid head of thicker metal, has been generally substituted.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
In 1867 the British war office adopted the [[Eley Brothers|Eley-Boxer]] metallic central-fire cartridge case in the [[Pattern 1853 Enfield|Enfield rifles]], which were converted to [[Snider-Enfield|Snider-Enfield breech-loaders]] on the Snider principle. This consisted of a block opening on a hinge, thus forming a [[false breech]] against which the cartridge rested. The priming cap was in the base of the cartridge, and was discharged by a [[Firing pin#Firing pin vs. striker|striker]] passing through the breech block. Other European powers adopted breech-loading military rifles from 1866 to 1868, with paper instead of metallic cartridge cases. The original Eley-Boxer cartridge case was made of thin coiled brass—occasionally these cartridges could break apart and jam the breech with the unwound remains of the casing upon firing. Later the solid-drawn, central-fire cartridge case, made of one entire solid piece of tough hard metal, an alloy of copper, with a solid head of thicker metal, has been generally substituted.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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==Reloading== |
==Reloading== |
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Some shooting enthusiasts reload their |
Some shooting enthusiasts reload their spent brass cartridges. By using a press and a set of dies, one can reshape, deprime, reprime, recharge the case with gunpowder, and seat and crimp a new bullet. One can do this at about half the cost of purchasing factory ammunition. It also allows one to use different weights and shapes of bullets, as well as varying the powder charge, which affects accuracy and power. Enthusiasts usually only reload boxer primed cartridges as the process is more easily automated than berdan priming. |
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{{See also|Handloading}} |
{{See also|Handloading}} |
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{{Main|Dardick tround}} |
{{Main|Dardick tround}} |
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The '''Tround''' (''Triangular Round'') was a unique type of cartridge designed in 1958 by David Dardick, for use in specially designed Dardick 1100 and Dardick 1500 open-chamber firearms. As their name suggests, Trounds were triangular in cross-section, and were made of plastic or aluminium, with the cartridge completely encasing the powder and projectile. The Tround design was also produced as a cartridge adaptor, to allow conventional [[38 Special]] and [[22 Long Rifle]] cartridges to be used with the Dardick firearms.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
The '''Tround''' (''Triangular Round'') was a unique type of cartridge designed in 1958 by David Dardick, for use in specially designed Dardick 1100 and Dardick 1500 open-chamber firearms. As their name suggests, Trounds were triangular in cross-section, and were made of plastic or aluminium, with the cartridge completely encasing the powder and projectile. The Tround design was also produced as a cartridge adaptor, to allow conventional [[.38 Special]] and [[.22 Long Rifle]] cartridges to be used with the Dardick firearms.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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== Blank ammunition == |
== Blank ammunition == |
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{{Main|Blank (cartridge)}} |
{{Main|Blank (cartridge)}} |
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[[Image:Platzpatronen762 9.jpg|right|thumb|Blank cartridges:<li> [[7.62×51mm NATO]] (left)<li> [[9×19mm Parabellum]] (right).]] |
[[Image:Platzpatronen762 9.jpg|right|thumb|Blank cartridges:<li> [[7.62×51mm NATO]] (left)<li> [[9×19mm Parabellum]] (right).]] |
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A blank is a |
A blank is a charged cartridge that does not contain a projectile. To contain the propellant, the opening where the projectile would be is crimped shut or sealed with some material that disperses rapidly on leaving the barrel. This sealing material can still potentially cause harm at extremely close range. Actor [[Jon-Erik_Hexum#Death|Jon-Erik Hexum]] was killed when he shot himself in the head with a blank, and actor [[Brandon Lee]] was famously killed during filming of ''[[The Crow (film)|The Crow]]'' when a blank fired from an improperly checked prop gun shot a bullet lodged in the barrel from a previously used dummy round into the actor's spine. |
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Blanks are used in training, but do |
Blanks are used in training, but do not always cause a weapon to behave the same as live ammunition; recoil is almost always far weaker, and some automatic weapons only cycle correctly when the weapon is fitted with a [[blank-firing adaptor]] to confine gas pressure within the barrel to operate the gas system. Blanks may also be used to launch a [[rifle grenade]], although later systems used a "bullet trap" design that captures a bullet from a conventional round, speeding deployment. This also negates the risk of mistakenly firing a live bullet into the rifle grenade, causing it to explode instead of propelling it forward. Blanks may also be used in dedicated launchers for propelling a [[grappling hook]], rope line or flare, or for a training lure for training [[gun dog]]s. The propellant cartridges used in a heavier variety of [[nail gun]] are essentially rimfire blanks.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} |
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==Drill rounds== |
==Drill rounds== |
Revision as of 19:15, 8 March 2012
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm.[1] The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head (centerfire ammunition) or at its rim (rimfire ammunition). Electrically fired cartridges have also been made. Caseless ammunition has been made as well. A cartridge without a bullet is called a blank; one that is completely inert is called a dummy.
In popular use, the term "bullet" is often misused to refer to complete cartridges. This is incorrect; "bullet" refers specifically to the projectile itself, not the entire cartridge.
Design
The cartridge case seals a firing chamber in all directions except down the bore. A firing pin strikes the primer, igniting it. A jet of burning gas from the primer ignites the powder. Gases from the burning powder (deflagration) expand the case to seal it against the chamber wall. The projectile is then pushed in the direction that has least resistance to this pressure, down the barrel. After the projectile leaves the barrel the pressure drops, allowing the cartridge case to contract slightly easing its removal from the chamber.[citation needed]
Automatic and semiautomatic firearms, which extract and eject the case automatically as a part of their operating cycle, sometimes damage the case in the process of ejection. Brass is a commonly used material, as it is resistant to corrosion and ductile enough to be reformed and reloaded several times. However, some low-quality "plinking" ammunition, as well as some military ammunition (mainly from the former Soviet Union and China) is made with steel cases because steel is less expensive than brass. However it cannot be reused and breaks down in the environment through rusting. As militaries typically consider small arms cartridge cases to be a disposable, one-time-use affair, the lack of ductility is inconsequential for this application, although the mass of the case affects how much ammunition a soldier can carry. One downside caused by the lack of ductility is that a layer of carbon soot can blow around the steel case into the chamber and make extraction of rounds difficult. This is less of a problem for weapons of the former Warsaw Pact nations, which were designed with much larger chamber tolerances than NATO weapons. Steel cases found in ammunition are often lacquered, or coated in a thin layer of polymer or copper (referred to as copper-washed) to protect the steel from corrosion prior to firing, after which rusting starts from the inside. Some ammunition is also made with aluminum cases (see picture). Although more ductile than steel, the low tensile strength of aluminum cases prevents them from being reloaded.[citation needed]
Critical specifications include caliber, bullet weight, expected velocity, maximum pressure, headspace, overall length and primer type. A minor deviation in any of these specifications could result in damage to the firearm, and in extreme cases injury or death of the user. The diameter of a bullet is measured either as a decimal fraction of an inch, or in millimeters. The length of a cartridge case may also be designated in millimeters. The stated caliber of any given ammunition or firearm may not necessarily correlate to the exact dimensions.[citation needed]
Where two numbers are together, the second number can contain a variety of meanings. Frequently the first is the diameter (caliber) of the cartridge, and the second is the length of the cartridge case. For example, the 7.62×51mm NATO uses a bore diameter of 7.62 mm and has an overall case length of 51 mm. In the case of old black powder cartridges, the second number typically refers to the powder charge. For example, the .50-90 Sharps is a .50 caliber bullet (.512) with a nominal charge of 90 grains (5.8 g) of black powder with a case length of 2.50 inches (64 mm).[citation needed]
Cartridge nomenclature is inconsistent and must be carefully considered. The .38 Special actually has a bullet diameter of 0.357 inches (9.1 mm) (jacketed) or 0.358 inches (9.1 mm) (lead) while the case has a nominal diameter of 0.380 inches (9.7 mm) to allow the projectile to fit within a case with a wall thickness of half of the 23/1000 of an inch difference. The .357 Magnum is a direct evolution of the .38 Special, but differently named, and no reference is made to the longer case except by the name 'Magnum'. The .30-06 rifle round is a (nominally) .30 inches (7.6 mm) caliber round designed in 1906; and the .303 British chamber and bore may vary greatly in actual dimensions. It is prudent to slug the barrel to determine the actual diameter prior to using.[citation needed]
Most high-powered firearms have relatively small projectiles moving at high speeds. This is because while bullet energy increases in direct proportion to bullet weight, it increases more so in proportion to the square of bullet velocity. Therefore, a bullet going twice as fast has four times the energy (see physics of firearms). Bullet speeds are now limited by starting bore pressures, which in turn are limited by the strength of chamber and barrel materials and the weight of the firearm people are willing to carry. Larger cartridges have more powder, a heavier projectile and usually high velocities.[citation needed]
Of the thousands of different designs and developments that have occurred, essentially only two basic cartridge designs remain. All current firearms are either rimfire or centerfire (rimmed and rimless). US military small arms suppliers are still trying to perfect electronic firing, which replaces the conventional firing pin and primer with an electrical ignition system wherein an electrical charge ignites the primer.[citation needed]
Centerfire
A centerfire cartridge has a centrally located primer held within a recess in the head / base of the case, which in most modern ammunition, and in some (chiefly premium hunting and match ammunition) manufactured in other countries, can be replaced, so that the brass cartridge case can be reused. Such a cartridge is often Boxer primed. A number of European and Asian manufactured military ammunition use an earlier form of cup primer known as a Berdan primer, which inhibits the easy reuse of the case, because the anvil (on which the primer compound is crushed) is an integral part of the case and can be deformed by firing. With care, it can be reloaded, as Berdan primers are available, yet scarce.[citation needed]
Rimfire
Rimfire cartridges, of which only the popular .22 LR remains in common use, were a popular solution before the centerfire design was fully perfected. They can only be used for fairly low powered cartridges, as the case has to be soft enough to be deformed by the firing pin, which detonates the priming compound in the rim. In the past, 9 mm cartridges were available, as well as .177, .25, etc. cartridges. BB and CB caps were common, as well as .22 Short and .22 Long.[citation needed]
Today, .22 LR (Long Rifle) accounts for much of rimfire ammunition shot. Recently, a .17 HMR (nominally .172 caliber) rimfire cartridge was released, and has become extremely popular among target shooters as well as small game hunters, due to its high velocity and flat shooting characteristics. .22 LR rounds normally use a soft lead bullet, and can be supersonic or subsonic. They are often copper-washed both for toxicity reasons and to prevent barrel fouling. .22 Magnum cartridges typically contain copper jacketed lead projectiles. The newer .17 rounds all feature bullets similar in construction to those found in centerfire cartridges, such as copper jacketed lead.[citation needed]
The .22 LR is also unique because it is the only mainstream cartridge using a heeled bullet, where the external diameter of the case is the same as the bullet's calibre.
Semi-automatic vs. revolver cartridges
Nearly every semi-automatic pistol cartridge is "rimless", or more explicitly has an inset rim that the extractor engages. Certain exceptions apply, namely for .45 ACP and 9mm Parabellum caliber rimless cartridges, which can be used in revolvers when the cartridges are held in place at the inset with a half-moon clip, which keeps the otherwise flush cartridges held within contact distance of the hammer. Revolver cartridges, on the other hand, have a rim at the base of the case that seats into the cylinder block to keep the cartridge from moving too far forward in the cylinder. For a visual comparison of similar-sized cartridges with different rims, see .380 ACP (semi-automatic) vs. .38 Special (revolver.)
Cartridges in use
There is great variety in the length and diameter of cartridges for the different kinds and calibers of rifles and pistols. The best cartridge for different purposes is subject to much discussion. However, there are standard uses for certain calibers, and these are a reliable guide to recommended uses.[citation needed]
It is important to note that equivalent caliber is by no means equivalent power. Generally speaking, "stopping power" is determined by the weight of the bullet, the terminal ballistics of the bullet—does it stay straight and in one piece, tumble, or "mushroom" on impact—and the charge of gunpowder accelerating it.[citation needed]
The following list samples only a few very well known cartridges; for a complete list, see table of pistol and rifle cartridges by year. The list is roughly ordered by cartridge length.[citation needed]
Jacketing of bullets
- 12 gauge/70 mm shotgun ammunition. They are listed from largest to smallest, separating the list into non-armor-piercing and armor-piercing types. The capacities are based on a 70 mm length hull.
- Shotgun slug: Slugs may be made of solid lead, copper, or a composite. Slugs are stabilized in flight by rifling in the barrel, by means of integral rifling, or fin-stabilized. Solid or hollow-point slugs are available but, due to the relatively low velocity, hollow-point slugs have relatively low expansion.
- Baton round: a generally non-lethal projectile fired from a riot gun.
000 Buck: 8 lead pellets (0.36 in (9.1 mm)*) 00 Buck: 9 lead pellets (0.33 in (8.4 mm)*) 0 Buck: 12 lead pellets (0.32 in (8.1 mm)*) 1 Buck: 16 lead pellets (0.30 in (7.6 mm)*) 4 Buck: 27 lead pellets (0.24 in (6.1 mm)*)
- Armor Piercing (AP): A hard bullet made from steel or tungsten alloys in a pointed shape typically covered by a thin layer of lead and/or a copper/brass jacket. The lead and jacket are intended to prevent barrel wear from the hard core materials. For metallic silhouette purposes, AP is slightly worse on unarmored targets than FMJ. This is to indicate the hard AP projectiles' tendency not to deform or reliably tumble/yaw.
- Flat Nose Lead (FNL): Similar to the above, with a flattened nose. Common in Cowboy Action Shooting loads.
- Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Made with a lead core surrounded by a full covering of brass, copper, or mild steel. These have very little deformation or expansion, but will occasionally yaw/tumble. Despite the name, a FMJ bullet typically has an exposed lead base, which is not visible in an intact cartridge.
- Glaser Safety Slug: The Glaser Safety Slug dates back to the early 1970s. The inventor, Colonel Jack Cannon, named it for his friend Armin Glaser. Over the years, the projectiles have evolved from crude, hand-produced examples to mass-production; however, the basic concept has remained the same: copper jackets filled with bird shot and covered by a crimped polymer endcap. Upon impact with flesh, the projectile fragments, with the birdshot spreading like a miniature shotgun pattern. The standard "Blue" Glaser uses a rather fine birdshot that only gives 5 to 6 inches (130–150 mm) of penetration in flesh. The "Silver" Glaser adds another 1 to 2 inches (30–50 mm) of penetration with the use of slightly larger birdshot. Due to the much reduced penetration in flesh, some have theorized that the Glaser would be ideal where over-penetration of a projectile could be hazardous to bystanders. For instance, the Glaser may be stopped by an upraised arm. However, for the same reasons, the Glaser’s terminal performance can vary dramatically, producing impressive successes and equally spectacular failures depending on the angle at which the target is struck. Glancing hits on hard surfaces will result in fragmentation, reducing the risk of ricochets. However, the Glaser can penetrate barriers such as drywall, plywood, and thin sheet metal if struck directly.
- Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP): Soon after the invention of the JSP, Woolwich Arsenal in Great Britain experimented with this design even further by forming a hole or cavity in the nose of the bullet while keeping most of the exterior profile intact. These bullets could theoretically deform even faster and expand to a larger diameter than the JSP. In personal defense use, concerns have arisen over whether clothing, especially heavy materials like denim, can clog the cavity of JHP bullets and cause expansion failures.
- Jacketed Soft Point (JSP): In the late 19th century, the Indian Army at Dum-Dum Arsenal, near Calcutta, developed a variation of the FMJ design where the jacket did not cover the nose of the bullet. The soft lead nose was found to expand in flesh while the remaining jacket still prevented lead fouling in the barrel. For metallic silhouette purposes, JSP is roughly splitting the difference between FMJ and JHP. It gives more penetration than JHP but has more stopping power than the FMJ.
- Round Nose Lead (RNL): An unjacketed lead bullet. Although largely supplanted by jacketed ammunition, this is still common for older revolver cartridges. Some hunters prefer roundnose ammunition for hunting in brush, because the bullet deflects less than sharp-nosed spitzer bullets, and long range is not required.[citation needed]
- Total Metal Jacket (TMJ): Featured in some Speer cartridges, the TMJ bullet has a lead core completely and seamlessly enclosed in brass, copper or other jacket metal, including the base. According to Speer literature, this prevents hot propellant gases from vaporizing lead from the base of the bullet, reducing lead emissions. Sellier & Bellot produce a similar version that they call TFMJ, with a separate end cap of jacket material.
- Wadcutter (WC): Similar to the FNL, but completely cylindrical, in some cases with a slight concavity in the nose. This bullet derives its name from its popularity for target shooting, because the form factor cuts neat holes in paper targets, making scoring easier and more accurate.
The Hague Convention of 1899 bans the use of expanding projectiles against the military forces of other nations. Some countries accept this as a blanket ban against the use of expanding projectiles against anyone, while others[2] use JSP and HP against non-military forces such as terrorists and criminals.[citation needed]
Common calibers
Ammunition types are listed numerically.
- .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR): A cartridge which is often used for target shooting and the hunting of small game such as squirrel. Because of its small size, self-defense handguns chambered in .22 rimfire, though less effective than centerfire handguns, can be concealed in situations where a larger handgun could not. It is the most commonly fired small arms cartridge, primarily because rimfire ammunition is much cheaper and the recoil from the light .22 cartridge is very mild.
- .22-250: A very popular caliber for short to medium range small game and varmint hunting, pest control and target shooting. The .22-250 is one of the most popular calibers for fox hunting and other pest control in Western Europe due to its flat trajectory and very good accuracy on rabbit to fox sized pests.
- .300 Winchester Magnum: A long range sniping round, it is favored by US Navy SEALs and the German Bundeswehr. While not in the same class as the .338 Lapua, it has roughly the same power as 7 mm Remington Magnum, and easily exceeds the performance of 7.62×51mm NATO.
- .30-06 Springfield (7.62×63mm): The standard US Army rifle cartridge for the first half of the 20th century. It is a full-power rifle cartridge suitable for hunting most North American game.
- .308 Winchester: the commercial name of a centerfire cartridge based on the military 7.62×51mm NATO round. Two years prior to the NATO adoption of the 7.62×51mm NATO T65 in 1954, Winchester (a subsidiary of the Olin Corporation) branded the cartridge and introduced it to the commercial hunting market as the .308 Winchester. Winchester's Model 70 and Model 88 rifles were subsequently chambered for the new cartridge. Since then, the .308 Winchester has become the most popular short-action big-game hunting cartridge worldwide. It is also commonly used for civilian targets, military sniping and police sharpshooting.
- .357 Magnum: Using a lengthened and strengthened version of the .38 Special case, the .357 Magnum was rapidly accepted by hunters and law enforcement. At the time of its introduction, it was claimed to easily pierce the body panels of automobiles and crack engine blocks.
- .40 S&W: A shorter-cased version of the 10mm Auto.
- .44 Magnum: A high powered pistol cartridge designed primarily for hunting.
- .45 ACP: The standard US pistol round for about a century. Typical .45 ACP loads are subsonic, making them ideal for suppressed weapons.
- .45 Colt: A more powerful .45 caliber round with a lengthened shell designed for the Colt Single Action Army. Other .45 caliber single action revolvers also chamber this round.
- .45-70 Government: Adopted by the US Army in 1873 as their standard service rifle cartridge. Most commercial loadings of the cartridge are constrained by the possibility that someone may attempt to fire a modern loading in one of the 1873-vintage rifles. However, current production rifles from Marlin, Ruger, and Browning can accept pressures nearly twice as high as the original black powder specs.
- .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO): Originally designed to destroy aircraft in the First World War,[citation needed] the cartridge still serves an anti-materiel round against light armor. It is used in heavy machine guns and high-powered sniper rifles. Such rifles are intended for destroying military matériel such as sensitive parts of grounded aircraft and armored transports. Civilian shooters use them for long-distance target-shooting.
- 5.45×39mm Soviet: The Soviet response to the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.
- 5.56×45mm NATO: Adopted by the US military in the 1960s, it later became the NATO standard assault rifle cartridge in the early 80s, displacing the 7.62×51mm. It is a military adaptation of the .223 Remington, a common cartridge for varminting and small game hunting.
- 7×64mm: One of the most popular long range varmint and medium to big game hunting calibers in Europe, especially in the countries such as France and (formerly) Belgium where the possession of firearms in (former) military calibers is forbidden or more heavily restricted. This calibre is offered by any European rifle maker in both bolt action rifles and as its rimmed version, the 7×65mm R in double and combination rifles. Another reason for its popularity is its flat trajectory, very good penetration and high versatility, depending on what bullet and load are used. Combined with a large choice of different 7 mm bullets available the 7×64mm is used on everything from fox and geese to red deer, Scandinavian moose and brown bear.
- 7 mm Remington Magnum: A long-range hunting cartridge.
- 7.62×39mm: The standard Soviet/ComBloc rifle cartridge from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, it is easily one of the most widely distributed cartridges in the world due to the distribution of the ubiquitous Kalashnikov AK-47 series.
- 7.62×51mm NATO: This was the standard NATO rifle round until its replacement by the 5.56×45mm. It is currently NATO's standard sniper rifle and medium machine gun cartridge. In the 1950s it was the standard NATO cartridge for rifles, but recoil and weight proved problematic for the new battle rifle designs such as the FN FAL.
- 7.62×54mmR: The standard Russian rifle round from the 1890s to the mid-1940s. The "R" stands for rimmed. The 7.62×54R rifle cartridge is a Russian design dating back to 1891. Originally designed for the Mosin-Nagant rifle, it was used during the late Tsarist era and throughout the Soviet period, in machine guns and rifles such as the SVT-40. The Winchester Model 1895 was also chambered for this cartridge per a contract with the Russian government. It is still in use by the Russian military in the Dragunov and other sniper rifles and some machine guns. The round is colloquially known as the "7.62 Russian". The name is sometimes confused with the "7.62 Soviet" round, which refers to the 7.62 × 39 cartridge used in the SKS and AK-47 rifles.
- 7.65×17mm Browning SR (.32 ACP): A very small pistol round. However, it was the predominant police service cartridge in Europe until the mid-1970s. The "SR" stands for semi-rimmed, meaning cartridge case has small rim and usual groove.
- 8×57mm IS: The standard German service rifle cartridge from 1888 to 1945, the 8×57mm IS (aka 8 mm Mauser) has seen wide distribution around the globe through commercial, surplus, and military sales, and is still a popular and commonly used hunting round in most of Europe, partly because of the abundance of affordable hunting rifles in this caliber as well as a broad availability of different hunting, target and military surplus munition available.
- 9×19mm Parabellum: Invented for the German military at the turn of the 20th century, the wide distribution of the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge made it the logical choice for the NATO standard pistol and SMG round.
- 9.3×62mm: Very common big game hunting round in Scandinavia along with the 6.5×55mm, where it is used as a very versatile hunting round on anything from small and medium game with lightweight cast lead bullets to the largest European big game with heavy soft point hunting bullets. The 9.3×62mm is also very popular in the rest of Europe for Big game, especially driven Big game hunts due to its effective stopping power on running game.
- 12.7×108mm: The 12.7×108mm cartridge is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries. It is the approximate Russian equivalent of the NATO .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) cartridge. The differences between the two are the bullet shape, the types of powder used, and that the case of the 12.7×108mm is 9 mm longer and marginally more powerful.
- 14.5×114mm: The 14.5×114 mm is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries. Its most common use is in the KPV heavy machine gun found on several Russian Military vehicles.
History
In 1260, gunpowder cartridges were employed by the Egyptian Mamluks, for use in their fire lances and hand cannons against the Mongol army at the Battle of Ain Jalut.[3] The original cartridge for military small arms dates from 1586. It consisted of a charge of powder and a bullet in a paper tube. Thick paper is still known as cartridge paper from its use in these cartridges.[citation needed]
This cartridge was used with the muzzle-loading military firearm, the base of the cartridge being ripped or bitten off by the soldier, the powder poured into the barrel, and the bullet then rammed home. Before the invention of the firelock or flintlock, about 1635, the priming was originally put into the pan of the wheellock and snaphance muskets from a flask containing a fine-grained powder called serpentine powder.[citation needed]
The evolving nature of warfare required a firearm that could load and fire more rapidly, resulting in the flintlock musket (and later the Baker rifle), in which the pan was covered by furrowed steel. This was struck by the flint and fired the weapon. In the course of loading a pinch of powder from the cartridge would be placed into the pan as priming, before the rest of the cartridge was rammed down the barrel, providing charge and wadding.[citation needed]
Later developments rendered this method of priming unnecessary, as, in loading, a portion of the charge of powder passed from the barrel through the vent into the pan, where it was held by the cover and hammer.[citation needed]
The next important advance in the method of ignition was the introduction of the copper percussion cap. This was only generally applied to the British military musket (the Brown Bess) in 1842, a quarter of a century after the invention of percussion powder and after an elaborate government test at Woolwich in 1834. The invention that made the percussion cap possible was patented by the Rev. A. J. Forsyth in 1807, and consisted of priming with a fulminating powder made of potassium chlorate, sulphur and charcoal, which exploded by concussion. This invention was gradually developed, and used, first in a steel cap, and then in a copper cap, by various gunmakers and private individuals before coming into general military use nearly thirty years later.[citation needed]
The alteration of the military flint-lock to the percussion musket was easily accomplished by replacing the powder pan by a perforated nipple, and by replacing the cock or hammer that held the flint with a smaller hammer that had a hollow to fit on the nipple when released by the trigger. On the nipple was placed the copper cap containing the detonating composition, now made of three parts of potassium chlorate, two of fulminate of mercury and one of powdered glass. The detonating cap thus invented and adopted, brought about the invention of the modern cartridge case, and rendered possible the general adoption of the breech-loading principle for all varieties of rifles, shotguns and pistols. This greatly streamlined the reloading procedure and paved the way for semi- and fully automatic firearms.[citation needed]
But this big leap forward came at a price. It introduced an extra component into each round—the cartridge case—which had to be removed before the gun could be reloaded. While a flintlock, for example, is immediately ready to be reloaded once it has been fired, adopting brass cartridge cases brought in the problem of extraction and ejection. The mechanism of a modern gun not only must load and fire the piece but also must remove the spent case, which may require just as many moving parts. Many malfunctions involve this process, either through failure to extract a case properly from the chamber or by allowing it to jam the action. 19th-century inventors were reluctant to accept this added complication and experimented with a variety of self-consuming cartridges before finally accepting that the advantages of brass cases far outweighed their one drawback.[citation needed]
Integrated paper cartridges
The first integrated cartridge, was developed in Paris in 1808 by the Swiss gunsmith Jean Samuel Pauly in association with French gunsmith François Prélat. Pauly created the first fully self-contained cartridges:[4] the cartridges incorporated a copper base with integrated mercury fulminate primer powder (the major innovation of Pauly), a paper casing and a round bullet.[5] The cartridge was loaded through the breech and fired with a needle. The needle-activated central-fire breech-loading gun would become a major feature of firearms thereafter.[6] Pauly made an improved version, protected by a patent, on 29 September 1812.[4]
Probably no invention connected with firearms has wrought such changes in the principle of gun construction as those effected by the "expansive cartridge case". This invention has completely revolutionized the art of gunmaking, has been successfully applied to all descriptions of firearms, and has produced a new and important industry: that of cartridge manufacture. Its essential feature is preventing gas escaping the breech when the weapon is fired, by means of an expansive cartridge case containing its own means of ignition. Previous to this invention shotguns and sporting rifles were loaded by means of powder flasks and shot flasks, bullets, wads and copper caps, all carried separately. One of the earliest efficient modern cartridge cases was the pinfire cartridge, developed by French gunsmith Casimir Lefaucheux in 1836.[7] It consisted of a thin weak shell made of brass and paper that expanded from the force of the explosion. This fit perfectly in the barrel, and thus formed an efficient gas check. A small percussion cap was placed in the middle of the base of the cartridge, and was exploded by means of a brass pin projecting from the side and struck by the hammer. This pin also afforded the means of extracting the cartridge case. This cartridge was introduced in England by Lang, of Cockspur Street, London, about 1845. Later in 1846, M.Houiller, another Paris gunsmith, improved on the system by introducing a fully metallic cartridge in 1847.[7]
In the American Civil War (1861–65) a breechloading rifle, the Sharps, was introduced and produced in large numbers. It could be loaded with either a ball or a paper cartridge. After that war many were converted to the use of metal cartridges. The development by Smith & Wesson (amongst many others) of revolver handguns that used metal cartridges helped to establish cartridge firearms as the standard in the USA by the 1870s although many continued to use percussion revolvers well after that.[citation needed]
Full metal cartridges
The first commercially successful all-metal cartridges were rimfire cartridges. The first of these was the .22 BB Cap, introduced around 1845. This was followed by the .22 Short in 1857. Larger caliber rimfires were soon introduced. Some of these were used in the American Civil War, including the .44 Henry and 56-56 Spencer. However, the large rimfires were soon replaced by centerfire cartridges, which could safely handle higher pressures.[citation needed]
In 1867 the British war office adopted the Eley-Boxer metallic central-fire cartridge case in the Enfield rifles, which were converted to Snider-Enfield breech-loaders on the Snider principle. This consisted of a block opening on a hinge, thus forming a false breech against which the cartridge rested. The priming cap was in the base of the cartridge, and was discharged by a striker passing through the breech block. Other European powers adopted breech-loading military rifles from 1866 to 1868, with paper instead of metallic cartridge cases. The original Eley-Boxer cartridge case was made of thin coiled brass—occasionally these cartridges could break apart and jam the breech with the unwound remains of the casing upon firing. Later the solid-drawn, central-fire cartridge case, made of one entire solid piece of tough hard metal, an alloy of copper, with a solid head of thicker metal, has been generally substituted.[citation needed]
Central-fire cartridges with solid-drawn metallic cases containing their own means of ignition are almost universally used in all modern varieties of military and sporting rifles and pistols.[citation needed]
Around 1870, machined tolerances had improved to the point that the cartridge case was no longer necessary to seal a firing chamber. Precision-faced bolts would seal as well, and could be economically manufactured.[citation needed]
Reloading
Some shooting enthusiasts reload their spent brass cartridges. By using a press and a set of dies, one can reshape, deprime, reprime, recharge the case with gunpowder, and seat and crimp a new bullet. One can do this at about half the cost of purchasing factory ammunition. It also allows one to use different weights and shapes of bullets, as well as varying the powder charge, which affects accuracy and power. Enthusiasts usually only reload boxer primed cartridges as the process is more easily automated than berdan priming.
Caseless ammunition
In 1989, Heckler & Koch, a prominent German firearms manufacturer, began making press releases about the G11 assault rifle, which shot a 4.73×33 square caseless round. The round was mechanically fired, with an integral primer.[citation needed]
In 1993 Voere of Austria began selling a gun and caseless ammunition. Their system used a primer, electronically fired at 17.5 ± 2 volts. The upper and lower limits prevent fire from either stray currents or static electricity. The direct electrical firing eliminates the mechanical delays associated with a striker, reducing reaction time (lock time), and allowing for easier adjustment of the rifle trigger.[citation needed]
In both cases, the "case" was molded directly from solid nitrocellulose, which is itself relatively strong and inert. The bullet and primer were glued into the propellant block.[citation needed]
Trounds
The Tround (Triangular Round) was a unique type of cartridge designed in 1958 by David Dardick, for use in specially designed Dardick 1100 and Dardick 1500 open-chamber firearms. As their name suggests, Trounds were triangular in cross-section, and were made of plastic or aluminium, with the cartridge completely encasing the powder and projectile. The Tround design was also produced as a cartridge adaptor, to allow conventional .38 Special and .22 Long Rifle cartridges to be used with the Dardick firearms.[citation needed]
Blank ammunition
A blank is a charged cartridge that does not contain a projectile. To contain the propellant, the opening where the projectile would be is crimped shut or sealed with some material that disperses rapidly on leaving the barrel. This sealing material can still potentially cause harm at extremely close range. Actor Jon-Erik Hexum was killed when he shot himself in the head with a blank, and actor Brandon Lee was famously killed during filming of The Crow when a blank fired from an improperly checked prop gun shot a bullet lodged in the barrel from a previously used dummy round into the actor's spine.
Blanks are used in training, but do not always cause a weapon to behave the same as live ammunition; recoil is almost always far weaker, and some automatic weapons only cycle correctly when the weapon is fitted with a blank-firing adaptor to confine gas pressure within the barrel to operate the gas system. Blanks may also be used to launch a rifle grenade, although later systems used a "bullet trap" design that captures a bullet from a conventional round, speeding deployment. This also negates the risk of mistakenly firing a live bullet into the rifle grenade, causing it to explode instead of propelling it forward. Blanks may also be used in dedicated launchers for propelling a grappling hook, rope line or flare, or for a training lure for training gun dogs. The propellant cartridges used in a heavier variety of nail gun are essentially rimfire blanks.[citation needed]
Drill rounds
Drill rounds are inert versions of cartridges used for education and practice during military training. Other than the lack of propellant, they are the same size as normal cartridges and will fit into the mechanism of a weapon in the same way as a live cartridge. As firing of a weapon on an empty chamber might lead to damage to the firing pin or its assembly, dummy rounds termed snap caps were designed to protect centerfire weapons from damage during "dry-fire" trigger control practices. To distinguish drill rounds and snap-caps from live rounds they are marked distinctively. Several forms of markings may be used; e.g. setting coloured flutes in the cartridge, drilling holes through the cartridge, colouring the bullet or cartridge, or a combination of these. In the case of centrefire drill rounds the primer will often be absent, its mounting hole in the base left open. Because they are mechanically identical to live rounds, which are intended to be loaded once, fired and then discarded, drill rounds have a tendency to become significantly worn and damaged with repeated passage through magazines and firing mechanisms, and need to be frequently inspected to ensure they are not so degraded as to become unusable—for example the casings can become torn or misshapen and snag on moving parts, or the bullet can become separated and stay in the breech when the cartridge is ejected.[citation needed]
See also
- Ammunition
- Ammunition box
- Antique guns
- List of handgun cartridges
- List of rifle cartridges
- Nitrocellulose
- Percussion cap
- Simunition
- Table of pistol and rifle cartridges by year
References
- ^ Sparano, Vin T. (2000). "Cartridges". The Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia. Macmillan. p. 37. ISBN 9780312267223.
- ^ The US did not sign the complete Hague Convention of 1899 in any case, but still follows its guidelines in military conflicts.
- ^ Hassan, Ahmad Y. "Gunpowder Composition for Rockets and Cannon in Arabic Military Treatises In Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries". History of Science and Technology in Islam. Retrieved 29 March 2008.[unreliable source?]
- ^ a b Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue by James Smyth Wallace p. 24.
- ^ Firearms by Roger Pauly p. 94.
- ^ A History of Firearms by W. Y. Carman p. 121.
- ^ a b Kinard, Jeff (2004) Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact, ABC-CLIO, p. 109
External links