
To some, this post might seem too simple to read. After all,
anyone who has ever shot a gun knows how it works, right? The truth is, most
shooters only know that as you pull the trigger, the bullet shoots out of the
gun towards the target. However, to reloaders, our knowledge of what happens
when you pull the trigger should be far above that of the average shooter.
That’s why it’s good to occasionally go back to the basics before you can
further your reloading game.
The Anatomy of a
Cartridge
Let’s face it; we have all, at some point in our shooting
careers, referred to the entire cartridge simply as a bullet. Yet, there is so
much more that goes into the manufacturing of a round that we should
familiarize ourselves with every aspect. Here are the different features found
on a single round:
·
Cartridge-
This is the outer shell of the round, often referred to as the brass. It can be
made out of steel but those rounds are not suggested to be reloadable.
·
Primer-
This section holds the explosive charge that ignites the round. It is found in
the bottom portion of the round and can be either flush with the brass or
concave.
·
Flash
Hole
- This portion of the cartridge is often overlooked. It’s a tiny hole
that sits between the primer and powder chamber and provides direction for the
ignition.
·
Powder
Chamber
- Refers to the section of the cartridge that houses the powder,
between the flash hole and the bullet, itself.
·
Bullet-This
is the actual projectile that is shot out of the gun.
How Ammunition
Performs
Now that we have coverage the basic anatomy of a cartridge,
we can better understand what happens when you pull your gun’s trigger. Knowing
this information is imperative for anyone you wants to reload their own
ammunition, especially if you plan to do so effectively.
When you pull the trigger in your gun, it releases a spring
that is attached to the hammer and firing pin. The action of pulling the
trigger releases the compressed spring and sends the hammer into the firing pin
which then, in turn, pushes into the primer at the back of the round. This
sudden impact into the primer ignites the explosive compound of the primer.
Since we now know that there is a flash hole, we also know
that the explosion from the primer goes through this flash hole and ignites the
powder charge. Some would believe that this is the point when the gun makes the
big “bang.” However, that doesn’t come till later, though this happens faster
than you can blink your eyes.
The force of the explosion pushes the bullet out of the
cartridge and through the barrel. However, if there was just an explosion and
nothing else, the bullet would not be accurate or fast. Because of the design
of many guns, the only way for the gasses that are created by the explosion to
be released is through the end of the barrel. It’s the release of these gasses
from the barrel that makes the big “bang” and sends the gun jolting backward.
However, it’s also these gasses that help create enough force behind the bullet
to allow it to reach maximum velocity and hit it’s intended mark.
Knowing this information will help you better be able to
manipulate your load, allowing you to reach your fullest potential in
reloading. Also, with this information you can make more informed choices on
which materials to buy for reloading.
|