5.3
Cartridges
There are two general types of cartridges available today:
centerfire and rimfire.
Many years ago people used a larger number of different
rimfire cartridges. The rimfire cartridge gets its name because
the primer is in the rim. Rimfire cartridges cannot be reloaded.
The most common rimfire cartridge used today is the .22 Long
Rifle.
The centerfire cartridge is the
most common type of metallic cartridge.
The primer is in the (bottom) center
of the ammunition.
That's why this cartridge is called
centerfire. Centerfire cases can
be reloaded.
All cartridges—both rimfire
and centerfire—have
four main parts.
- Case: The case holds the primer, powder,
and bullet.
- Primer: The primer compound explodes
when struck by the firing pin and ignites the powder.
- Powder: The powder burns and creates
gas to push the bullet through the bore and out the muzzle.
- Bullet: The bullet is the part of the
cartridge that strikes the target.
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