Ammunition designers
Ammunition designers are engineers or specialists who develop and create ammunition for firearms and other projectile-launching devices. Their work involves a deep understanding of ballistics, materials science, and the mechanics of firearms, as well as compliance with safety and legal standards. Key responsibilities of ammunition designers may include: 1. **Research and Development**: They conduct research to improve existing ammunition designs and develop new types of ammunition to enhance performance characteristics, such as accuracy, range, and stopping power.
Ammunition dumps
An ammunition dump, also known as an ammunition depot or munitions storage facility, is a designated location for storing ammunition and explosive materials. These facilities are typically used by military organizations to securely store and manage munitions, including bombs, artillery shells, missiles, and small arms ammunition. Ammunition dumps are designed with safety and security in mind.
Ammunition manufacturers
Ammunition manufacturers are companies that produce various types of ammunition used in firearms, artillery, and other weaponry. This can include bullets, shells, cartridges, and other projectiles designed for shooting and combat. The process of manufacturing ammunition involves several steps, including the production of components such as casings, primers, propellants, and projectiles, as well as the assembly of these components into finished ammunition.
Ammunition stubs
"Ammunition stubs" typically refer to the leftover remnants of ammunition after it has been fired, specifically the cartridge cases that remain once a round is discharged. These stubs are often collected for various purposes, such as reloading, recycling, or forensic analysis. In some contexts, "stubs" might also refer to the physical remains of the ammunition that may include parts like the bullet (projectile), powder residue inside the casing, and the primer used to ignite the propellant.
Artillery ammunition
Artillery ammunition refers to the projectiles and the accompanying materials used in artillery systems to deliver explosive force against targets. This type of ammunition is designed specifically for use in various artillery pieces, such as howitzers, mortars, and field guns. Artillery ammunition can vary widely in type, size, and purpose, and it is typically categorized based on its characteristics and intended use.
Blank cartridges
Blank cartridges are ammunition that contain gunpowder but lack a bullet or projectile. Instead, they have a sealed end or a plug that prevents any solid object from being propelled out of the cartridge. Blank cartridges are primarily used in various applications, such as: 1. **Theatrical performances**: To simulate gunfire without the risk of injury from real bullets.
Explosive weapons
Explosive weapons are weapons that use explosive substances to create a blast effect, capable of causing destruction, injury, or death over a wide area. These types of weapons encompass a variety of armaments, including: 1. **Bombs**: Devices designed to explode and can be delivered by aircraft, artillery, or placed manually.
Fuzes
"Fuzes" typically refers to devices used in military ordnance and explosives that initiate the detonation of a weapon when it reaches a certain condition—such as impact, proximity, or time. There are many types of fuzes, including: 1. **Impact Fuzes**: These activate when the projectile strikes a target. 2. **Proximity Fuzes**: These detonate when the projectile is near the target, often using radar or other sensing technologies.
Handloading
Handloading, also known as reloading, is the process of assembling ammunition by loading individual components, such as bullet projectiles, gunpowder, and cartridge cases, into completed rounds. This practice allows shooters to customize ammunition to suit their specific needs, whether for accuracy, cost savings, or specific ballistic performance. The handloading process typically involves several steps: 1. **Component Selection**: Handloaders choose bullets, primers, powders, and cases based on their desired performance characteristics.
High explosive (HE) and incendiary ammunition are two types of munitions that serve different purposes in military and defense applications: ### High Explosive (HE) Ammunition High explosive ammunition is designed to generate a powerful explosive effect upon detonation. These munitions typically contain a high-energy explosive compound that reacts rapidly to produce a large volume of gas and heat, resulting in a significant shockwave and fragmentation.
Large-caliber cartridges
Large-caliber cartridges refer to ammunition designed for firearms that are typically characterized by a larger diameter (caliber) of the projectile. In general, the term "large caliber" usually pertains to cartridges with diameters of .50 inches (12.7 mm) or greater, although the specific definition can vary based on context and regional usage. These cartridges are often used in military applications, for example, in anti-materiel rifles, machine guns, and artillery.
Lists of gun cartridges
Lists of gun cartridges typically refer to compilations of various types of ammunition used in firearms, categorized by their specifications, purposes, and characteristics. These lists can include a wide variety of cartridges, often categorized by factors such as caliber, design, intended use (e.g., military, hunting, self-defense), and more. Here’s a general overview of how such lists might be organized: ### 1. **By Caliber** - **Small Caliber (.
Magazines (firearms)
In the context of firearms, a "magazine" is a device that holds ammunition for a firearm and provides a way to feed that ammunition into the chamber for firing. Magazines come in various shapes and capacities, designed for different types of firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns. There are two primary types of magazines: 1. **Internal Magazines**: These are built into the firearm itself.
Mortar munitions
Mortar munitions refer to the projectiles used in mortar systems, which are indirect fire weapons designed to launch explosive shells at high angles. Mortars are typically classified by their caliber (diameter of the bore) and are used by military forces for a variety of purposes, including indirect fire support, counter-battery operations, and area bombardment.
Nuclear warheads
Nuclear warheads are explosive devices that derive their destructive power from nuclear reactions, either fission (splitting atomic nuclei) or fusion (combining atomic nuclei). They are designed to release a massive amount of energy, resulting in a large explosion and significant destructive effects, including blast, heat, and radiation.
Pistol and rifle cartridges
Pistol and rifle cartridges are types of ammunition designed for use in firearms, specifically handguns (pistols) and long guns (rifles). Each type of cartridge is optimized for its intended use, and they have different design characteristics, performance, and applications. Here's an overview of both: ### Pistol Cartridges 1. **Design:** Pistol cartridges are typically shorter than rifle cartridges and are designed to be used in handguns. They often have a wider diameter than rifle cartridges.
Rimmed cartridges
Rimmed cartridges are a type of ammunition characterized by a pronounced, raised lip or rim around the base of the cartridge case. This rim is wider than the diameter of the cartridge body and serves several purposes: 1. **Extraction**: The rim aids in the extraction of the cartridge from the chamber after firing. When the firearm is operated, the extractor rod can catch the rim, pulling the spent cartridge case out of the chamber.
Shot towers
Shot towers are structures that were historically used for producing lead shot, which is small spherical pellets used primarily for shotgun ammunition. The principle behind a shot tower is based on the process of dropping molten lead from a significant height. Here’s how it works: 1. **Melting the Lead**: Lead is melted in a furnace and kept in a liquid state.
Shotgun shells
Shotgun shells are a type of firearm ammunition designed specifically for shotguns. They consist of a cylindrical casing that contains several components: 1. **Casing:** The outer shell, typically made of plastic or paper, holds all the other components together. 2. **Primer:** Located at the base of the shell, the primer ignites the gunpowder when struck by the firing pin.
The history of weapons and ammunition spans thousands of years and includes a wide range of innovations and developments. Here's a brief overview of key weapons and ammunition introductions by century: ### Prehistoric Times - **Stone Tools and Weapons**: The earliest weapons were made from stone, including hand axes, spears, and arrows. ### Ancient History (c.