Firearm Competency Ammunition Types and Ballistics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'calibre' refer to when describing a firearm or cartridge?
- The length of the firearm barrel
- The internal diameter of the barrel, typically expressed in millimetres or inches (Correct answer)
- The weight of the bullet in grains
- The maximum range of the projectile
Correct answer: The internal diameter of the barrel, typically expressed in millimetres or inches
Calibre refers to the internal diameter of the firearm barrel and is used to match the correct ammunition to the firearm.
Question 2: Which component of a cartridge is responsible for initiating the firing sequence?
- The bullet
- The cartridge case
- The primer (Correct answer)
- The propellant powder
Correct answer: The primer
The primer is a small explosive compound that ignites when struck by the firing pin, which in turn ignites the propellant powder.
Question 3: What does the abbreviation 'FMJ' stand for in ammunition terminology?
- Full Metal Jacket (Correct answer)
- Fixed Muzzle Joint
- Flat Metal Jacket
- Forward Motion Jacket
Correct answer: Full Metal Jacket
FMJ stands for Full Metal Jacket, describing a bullet where the lead core is fully encased in a harder metal shell, typically used for target practice.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the cartridge case in a round of ammunition?
- To increase the bullet's velocity
- To house and protect the primer, propellant, and bullet as a single unit (Correct answer)
- To reduce the recoil felt by the shooter
- To guide the bullet through the barrel rifling
Correct answer: To house and protect the primer, propellant, and bullet as a single unit
The cartridge case holds all four components — primer, propellant, bullet, and case — together as a complete, loadable round.
Question 5: Which type of bullet is specifically designed to expand upon impact with a target?
- Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
- Armour Piercing (AP)
- Hollow Point (HP) (Correct answer)
- Round Nose (RN)
Correct answer: Hollow Point (HP)
Hollow point bullets have a cavity in the tip that causes the bullet to expand on impact, transferring more energy and reducing over-penetration.
Question 6: What information is typically found on the headstamp of a cartridge?
- The bullet weight only
- The manufacturer and calibre of the cartridge (Correct answer)
- The maximum safe chamber pressure
- The expiry date of the ammunition
Correct answer: The manufacturer and calibre of the cartridge
The headstamp is stamped on the base of the cartridge case and typically identifies the manufacturer and the calibre designation.
Question 7: What is the role of the propellant powder inside a cartridge?
- To lubricate the bullet as it travels down the barrel
- To cool the barrel during rapid fire
- To produce rapidly expanding gas that propels the bullet forward (Correct answer)
- To stabilise the bullet in flight after leaving the muzzle
Correct answer: To produce rapidly expanding gas that propels the bullet forward
When ignited by the primer, the propellant powder burns rapidly and produces high-pressure gas that accelerates the bullet down the barrel.
Firearm Competency Ammunition Types and Ballistics 1
What does the term 'calibre' refer to when describing a firearm or cartridge?