Hunt/Gun Basics (1 of 2)

What are the general types of "projectiles" used on various firearms?

1) Bullet: A bullet is a lead projectile fired through a rifle or handgun barrel. A slug is a lead 2) Slug: A slug is a lead projectile fired through a shotgun barrel 3) Shot: Shot is a group of lead, steel, tungsten, or bismuth pellets fired through a shotgun.

What is a firearm in simplest terms?

A firearm is a mechanical device that uses pressure from a burning powder to force a projectile through and out of a metal tube.

Q/A When does a "misfire" happen?

A misfire is when the primer fails to ignite the powder

What does a wad do in shotgun ammunition?

A wad is a seal made of paper or plastic separating the powder from the slug or shot in a shot-shell. The wad prevents gas from escaping through the shot and holds the shot together as it passes through the barrel.

A, (blank), is an ammunition used in modern rifles and handguns. It includes a case containing primer, gunpowder, and a bullet.

A, cartridge

Singleshot rifles are usually, (blank, or, (blank), actions.

Break or Bolt actions

What is a firearm's "Caliber" used for?

Caliber is used to describe the size of a rifle or handgun bore and the size of cartridges designed for different bores. Note: Caliber is usually measured as the diameter of the bore from land to opposite land.

Rifles and handguns use a, (blank), containing a single projectile, called a bullet.

Cartridge

What is Centerfire ammunition?

Centerfire ammunition is used for shotguns, and most rifles and handguns. In this type of ammunition, the primer is located in the center of the casing base. Most centerfire ammunition is reloadable.

What are some common types of rifle bullets?

Common rifle bullets include: 1) Pointed Soft Pint: These are high velocity, accurate bullets with a flat travel path, called a trajectory; they provide excellent mushrooming. 2) Rounded Soft Point: These are popular for low velocity calibers; they are recommended for tubular magazines. 3) Protected Tip: These bullets are highly accurate with excellent expansion; & 4) Full Metal Jacket: The bullets provide maximum penetration without mushrooming. However, note that these bullets are illegal for big game hunting in most states.

What are some common types of handgun bullets?

Common types of handgun bullets are: 1) Round-nose Lead: These bullets have good penetration & have little expansion. 2) Full metal Jacket: These bullets have good penetration & have NO expansion. 3) Semi-Wd Cutter: These bullets have both medium penetration and medium expansion. 4) Hallow-point: The bullets are designed for high expansion on impact; & 5) Wad Cutter: These bullets are flat-ended, used for target shooting because they create clean holes in paper.

On rifle and handgun calibers, the same bore size, (blank), different cartridges are interchangeable.

Does NOT mean

Bullets used for hunting may have soft or hollow points, designed to, (blank), or "mushroom", upon impact.

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Q/A Shotguns are classified by, (blank), which is a measure related to the diameter of the smooth shotgun bore and the size of the shot-shell designed for that bore.

Gauge

(Blank), is the term used to designate bore diameter of a shotgun.

Guage. Also, guage is the number of lead balls with diameters equal to the diameter of the bore that, when combined, weigh one pound.

What does "gunpowder" do in ammunition?

Gunpowder is a chemical mixture that burns very rapidly and converts to an expanding gas when ignited. Note: Modern smokeless powder will burn slowly when ignited in the open, outside of the case. Black powder on the other hand, is less stable and can be explosive when ignited in the open.

What is a "hang fire", and when does one happen?

Hang fires happen when the firing pin has struck the primer and there is a delay before it fires. This can occur for several reasons such as if there is: 1) A faulty firing pin or spring 2) A defective primer; or 3) Other cartridge-related problems

The smaller the gauge number, the, (blank), the shotgun bore.

Larger

The smaller the shot number, the, (blank), the shot size.

Larger

Shotshell marked as, (blank), means the shell has more shot or more gunpowder than a regular shell.

Marked as, "Magnum". Note: Magnum and regular shotshells are interchangeable if the correct guage and shell length are used.

Every rifle or handgun is designed for a specific cartridge. The ammunition must match the, (blank), on the firearm.

Must match the "data stamp"

What does operating the lever, bolt, or forestock do on a rifle?

Operating the lever, bolt, or forestock ejects the empty cartridge case, chambers a new round of ammunition, and cocks the gun.

Pulling the trigger of a firearm causes the firing pin to strike and explode the, (blank), in the base of the cartridge or shotshell.

Primer

What is "primer" used for on ammunition?

Primer is an explosive chemical compound that ignites the gunpowder when struck by the firing pin. If the primer is placed in the rim of the case, it is called "rimfire". If the primer is placed in the center of the base of the case, then it is called "centerfire".

Repeating rifles include the following types:

Repeating rifles include the following types: 1) Lever-action 2) Bolt-action 3) pump-action; & 4) Semi-automatic

What is Rimfire ammunition?

Rimfire ammunition has the primer contained in the rim of the ammunition casing. Also, rimfire ammunition is limited to low pressure loads and rimfire cartridges are not reloadable.

What are the shell lengths that shotguns may be chambered for?

Shotguns may be chambered for 2 ¾ inch, 3 inch, or, 3 ½ inch shells. Note: This refers to the length of the shell after it has been fired.

(Blank), is ammunition that is used in modern shotguns. It includes a case containing primer, gunpowder, wad, and a slug or shot.

Shotshell

Shotguns use a, (blank), containing either a single shot or a large number of small projectiles, called shot.

Shotshell

What is the difference between a gun that is "Single-action", and one that is "Double-action"?

Single Action will fire only fire the hammer has been manually cocked. On the other hand, pulling the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer on a double-action.

Bullets used for target shooting usually have , (blank), that make small holes

Solid points

What is the action on a firearm?

The action is the heart of the firearm. It is the moving parts that load, fire, and eject the empty shells or cartridges. Several types of actions are used in modern firearms. Note that Muzzleloaders have locks instead of actions.

What is the barrel on a firearm?

The barrel is the metal tube that the projectile travels through. Note: Bullets travel through the barrel of rifles & handguns, while, shot travels through the barrel of shotguns.

The basic components of ammunition are, (blank)...

The basic components of ammunition are the: 1) Case 2) Primer 3) Powder; & 4) Projectile or projectiles Note: Shotguns have an additional component called a wad.

What is the bore on a firearm?

The bore is the inside of the firearm barrel through which the projectile travels when fired.

What is the "case" on ammunition?

The case is the container that holds all the other ammunition components together. It is usually made of brass, steel, copper, paper, or plastic.

What is the chamber of a firearm used for?

The chamber is the base of the barrel used to hold the cartridge or shotshell ready for shooting.

What is the firing pin on a firearm?

The firing pin is a pin that strikes the primer of the cartridge, causing ignition.

The gauge of a shotgun is usually marked on the rear of the barrel, and the gauge of a shell is marked on the, (blank).

The gauge of a shell is marked on the shell as well as on the factory box.

Shotshells must exactly match the, (blank), and, (blank), specified by the manufacturer.

The guage, &, shell length

What does the "projectile" in ammunition do?

The projectile is the object, or objects, that are expelled from the barrel.

What is the receiver on a firearm?

The receiver is the metal housing for the working parts of the action.

What is the stock on a firearm?

The stock serves as the handle of the firearm. It can be composed of one or two pieces and is usually made of wood or a synthetic material.

All modern firearms have three basic groups of parts, what are they?

They are the: 1) Action 2) Stock; & 3) Barrel

The spark from the primer ignites the gunpowder, which, (blank).

Which, burns rapidly converting to a gas. The gas then rapidly expands and drives the projectile through the barrel with great force. Note: When a person shoots a shotgun, both the wad and the shot are projected out of the barrel.