GSI GSI Ammunition & Ballistics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which propellant type is used in modern centerfire cartridges?
- Black powder
- Smokeless powder (Correct answer)
- Flash powder
- Cordite only
Correct answer: Smokeless powder
Modern centerfire cartridges use smokeless powder, which burns more efficiently and produces less fouling than black powder.
Question 2: What is 'over-penetration' in the context of defensive ammunition?
- A bullet that fails to exit the barrel
- A bullet that passes completely through the target and continues beyond (Correct answer)
- A bullet that expands too quickly upon impact
- A bullet loaded with excess powder charge
Correct answer: A bullet that passes completely through the target and continues beyond
Over-penetration occurs when a bullet passes completely through an intended target, posing a risk to bystanders or objects beyond the target.
Question 3: How should ammunition be stored to maintain reliability and safety?
- In a warm, humid location to keep primers active
- In a cool, dry location away from heat sources and moisture (Correct answer)
- In direct sunlight to prevent condensation
- Mixed together regardless of caliber to save space
Correct answer: In a cool, dry location away from heat sources and moisture
Ammunition should be stored in a cool, dry environment away from heat and moisture to prevent degradation of the propellant, primer, and case.
Question 4: What is the function of a ballistic coefficient (BC) for a bullet?
- It measures chamber pressure
- It describes how efficiently a bullet overcomes air resistance in flight (Correct answer)
- It indicates the rate of twist required in the barrel
- It measures the bullet's expansion ratio
Correct answer: It describes how efficiently a bullet overcomes air resistance in flight
A ballistic coefficient is a numerical value describing how well a bullet retains velocity and resists wind drift as it travels through the air.
Question 5: What should a GSI instructor teach students about using mixed or unknown ammunition?
- It is acceptable as long as it fits in the chamber
- Never use mixed, unlabeled, or unknown ammunition as it poses serious safety risks (Correct answer)
- Mixed ammunition is only unsafe in semi-automatic firearms
- Unknown ammunition is fine if the bullet looks undamaged
Correct answer: Never use mixed, unlabeled, or unknown ammunition as it poses serious safety risks
Using mixed, unlabeled, or unknown ammunition is dangerous because incorrect caliber or load data can cause catastrophic firearm failure or injury.
Question 6: What is a 'squib load' and why is it dangerous?
- An overloaded round that produces excessive recoil
- An underpowered round where the bullet lodges in the barrel, risking a barrel obstruction (Correct answer)
- A defective primer that fires but does not ignite powder
- A bullet designed for suppressed firearms only
Correct answer: An underpowered round where the bullet lodges in the barrel, risking a barrel obstruction
A squib load produces insufficient pressure to fully propel the bullet out of the barrel; if another round is fired with the obstruction present, it can cause catastrophic barrel failure.
GSI GSI Ammunition & Ballistics 2
Which propellant type is used in modern centerfire cartridges?