Ammunition Types and Ballistics Flashcards
7 cards from real FIREARM COMPETENCY practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ammunition Types and Ballistics flashcards as text
What should a responsible firearm owner do immediately upon discovering that they have obtained the wrong calibre of ammunition for their firearm?
Answer: Store the ammunition safely and exchange or return it without attempting to use it
Using the wrong calibre ammunition can cause catastrophic firearm failure; the ammunition must be stored safely and exchanged for the correct calibre without any attempt to fire it.
Why is it dangerous to fire overpressure (+P or +P+) ammunition in a firearm not rated for it?
Answer: The higher chamber pressure can exceed the firearm's structural limits, risking catastrophic failure
Overpressure ammunition generates chamber pressures beyond what a standard-rated firearm can safely contain, potentially causing the firearm to rupture and injure the shooter.
What is the recommended practice when storing ammunition at home in South Africa?
Answer: Keep ammunition in a cool, dry, locked storage facility separate from the firearm
South African law and safe storage best practice require ammunition to be stored in a cool, dry place in a locked container, ideally separately from the firearm.
What is the effect of barrel rifling on a bullet in flight?
Answer: It causes the bullet to spin, which gyroscopically stabilises it for improved accuracy
Rifling imparts a spin to the bullet as it travels down the barrel; this gyroscopic spin stabilises the bullet in flight and dramatically improves accuracy.
Which of the following best describes 'stopping power' in the context of ammunition selection?
Answer: The relative ability of a round to incapacitate a threat quickly
Stopping power is an informal term describing how effectively a given round can incapacitate a threat, influenced by bullet diameter, weight, velocity, and expansion characteristics.
What is a key reason why old, corroded, or damp ammunition should never be used?
Answer: It may cause a misfire, hangfire, or dangerous pressure spike leading to injury
Moisture and corrosion degrade the primer and propellant, leading to misfires, hangfires, or unpredictable pressure spikes that can cause firearm damage or serious injury.
A competent person buying ammunition in South Africa is required to buy only ammunition that is:
Answer: Compatible with the calibre of the firearm for which they are licensed
Under the Firearms Control Act, a licensed firearm owner may only purchase and possess ammunition in the calibre(s) for which their specific firearm licence is issued.