NRA NRA Ammunition & Ballistics Fundamentals 2

Question 1

What is 'terminal ballistics'?

Accepted Answer

The study of what happens when a bullet strikes and interacts with a target

Answer

Terminal ballistics describes bullet behavior upon impact, including expansion, penetration, and energy transfer.

Question 2

What is 'muzzle velocity' and how does it typically affect bullet trajectory?

Accepted Answer

The speed of the bullet as it leaves the muzzle — higher velocity generally produces a flatter trajectory

Answer

Muzzle velocity is the bullet's speed at the barrel's muzzle; higher velocity reduces trajectory drop over a given distance.

Question 3

What is 'chamber pressure' and how is it typically measured in the US?

Accepted Answer

The peak pressure generated by burning propellant — measured in PSI or CUP

Answer

Chamber pressure is the peak gas pressure generated when propellant burns, measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) or CUP (Copper Units of Pressure).

Question 4

What does 'ballistic coefficient' (BC) measure?

Accepted Answer

A bullet's ability to overcome air resistance and retain velocity in flight

Answer

Ballistic coefficient quantifies how efficiently a bullet overcomes air drag — a higher BC means less velocity loss and less wind drift over distance.

Question 5

What is the difference between 'jacketed' and 'lead' bullets?

Accepted Answer

Jacketed bullets have a lead core encased in a harder metal jacket; lead bullets are cast from pure or alloy lead

Answer

Jacketed bullets wrap a lead or alloy core in a gilding metal or copper jacket, reducing barrel fouling and allowing higher velocities.

(NRA) National Rifle Association Certified Gunsmith Practice Test

(NRA) National Rifle Association Certified Gunsmith Practice Test

NRA NRA Ammunition & Ballistics Fundamentals 2