BALLISTICS TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (A–D)

1. Action – The mechanism of a firearm that loads, fires, and ejects a cartridge.
2. Accuracy – The degree to which a projectile hits the intended target.
3. Ammunition – A complete unit of cartridges used in firearms.
4. Angle of Departure – The angle at which a projectile leaves the barrel of a firearm.
5. Anvil – A metal component inside a primer that helps ignite the primer compound.
6. Armor-Piercing Bullet – A bullet designed to penetrate armor or hard targets.
7. Automatic Firearm – A firearm that continues to fire as long as the trigger is pressed.
8. Ballistic Coefficient – A measure of a projectile's ability to overcome air resistance.
9. Ballistics – The science of the motion of projectiles.
10. Ballistic Fingerprinting – The unique markings left on bullets and casings by a firearm.
11. Ballistic Gelatin – A testing medium that simulates human tissue.
12. Ballistic Pendulum – A device used to measure the velocity of a projectile.
13. Barrel – The tube through which a bullet is fired.
14. Barrel Length – The length of a firearm’s barrel, affecting velocity and accuracy.
15. Barrel Rifling – Spiral grooves cut inside a barrel to spin-stabilize the bullet.
16. Base – The bottom portion of a bullet or cartridge.
17. Black Powder – An early form of gunpowder used in firearms.
18. Blank Cartridge – A cartridge that contains gunpowder but no projectile.
19. Bolt Action – A type of firearm mechanism operated manually by a bolt.
20. Bore – The interior of a firearm barrel.
21. Bore Diameter – The diameter of the inside of the barrel.
22. Bore Sight – A method to align the firearm’s sights with the bore.
23. Breech – The rear part of a firearm’s barrel where cartridges are loaded.
24. Breechblock – The part that closes the breech end of the barrel during firing.
25. Bullet – The projectile expelled from a firearm’s barrel.
26. Bullet Drop – The vertical distance a bullet falls due to gravity.
27. Bullet Jacket – A metal coating on a bullet, usually copper.
28. Bullet Tip – The front end of a bullet that first contacts the target.
29. Burn Rate – The speed at which gunpowder burns.
30. Buttstock – The part of a long gun that rests against the shooter’s shoulder.

31. Caliber – The internal diameter of a gun barrel or the diameter of the bullet it fires.
32. Canister Shot – A type of anti-personnel ammunition filled with small metal balls.
33. Cartridge – A complete unit of ammunition, including the case, primer, powder, and
projectile.
34. Cartridge Case – The container that holds all parts of a cartridge together.
35. Case Mouth – The open end of the cartridge case that holds the bullet.
36. Casing – Another term for cartridge case.
37. Centerfire Cartridge – A cartridge with a primer located at the center of the base.
38. Chamber – The portion of the barrel or cylinder where the cartridge is inserted before firing.
39. Chamber Pressure – The pressure created when a round is fired inside the chamber.
40. Choke – A constriction at the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel to control shot spread.
41. Chronograph – A device that measures the speed of a projectile.
42. Cocking – The act of preparing a firearm to fire by pulling the hammer or striker back.
43. Combustion – The chemical reaction of gunpowder igniting inside a cartridge.
44. Composite Bullet – A bullet made from more than one material for specific performance.
45. Cordite – A smokeless propellant formerly used in military ammunition.
46. Crimp – A fold or bend in the case to secure the bullet or seal a blank round.
47. Crosswind – Wind that moves perpendicular to a projectile’s trajectory, affecting its path.
48. Crown – The end of a barrel, important for maintaining accuracy.
49. Cylinder (Revolver) – The rotating part that holds cartridges in a revolver.
50. Cylinder Gap – The space between the cylinder and the barrel in a revolver.
51. Dampening – Reduction of vibrations in a firearm or projectile.
52. Decapping – The process of removing spent primers from cartridge cases.
53. Decibels (dB) – The unit used to measure the sound level of a gunshot.
54. Deflection – The change in a bullet’s path due to obstacles or external forces.
55. Delayed Blowback – A firearm action that delays the opening of the breech after firing.
56. Detonation – A high-speed explosion of gunpowder, often destructive in ammunition.
57. Discharge – The act of a firearm firing a bullet.
58. Double Action – A trigger mechanism that both cocks and releases the hammer.
59. Drag – Air resistance that slows down a projectile.
60. Dry Firing – Pulling the trigger on an unloaded firearm.

BALLISTICS TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (E–Z)

61. Ejector – The part of a firearm that expels a spent cartridge case from the chamber.
62. Ejection Port – The opening in a firearm where spent cases are ejected.
63. Energy – The kinetic energy carried by a moving projectile.
64. Engraving – The imprint of rifling marks on a bullet as it passes through the barrel.
65. Entry Wound – The wound created by the entrance of a projectile into a target.
66. Expansion – The increase in bullet diameter upon impact to cause more damage.
67. Extractor – The part that removes a spent case from the chamber.
68. External Ballistics – The study of a projectile’s behavior in flight.
69. Eye Relief – The distance from the eye to the scope lens for full view.
70. Firing Pin – A pin that strikes the primer to ignite the cartridge.
71. Firing Pin Impression – The mark left by the firing pin on the primer.
72. Firearm – A weapon that expels a projectile via an explosive force.
73. Flash Hider – A device on the muzzle that reduces visible flash.
74. Flash Hole – The hole in a cartridge case that allows ignition of the powder.
75. Foot-pounds – A unit of energy measuring projectile impact.
76. Forensic Ballistics – The study of firearms-related evidence in criminal cases.
77. Fouling – Residue left in the barrel after firing.
78. Frangible Bullet – A bullet that disintegrates upon impact.
79. Friction – Resistance encountered by a bullet traveling through the barrel.
80. Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) – A bullet encased in a harder metal shell.
81. Gauge – A measurement of a shotgun bore.
82. Gas-Operated – A firearm mechanism that uses gas from firing to cycle the action.
83. Gas Port – An opening that redirects gas to cycle the action.
84. Grain – A unit of measurement used for bullets and powder.
85. Green-Tip – A type of military ammunition with armor-piercing ability.
86. Grooves – The cut portions of rifling inside a barrel.
87. Gunpowder – A chemical mixture that propels bullets when ignited.
88. Gunshot Residue (GSR) – Particles left on hands or clothing after firing.
89. Hammer – A part that strikes the firing pin or primer to ignite the cartridge.
90. Handgun – A firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
91. Headspace – The distance between the breech face and base of the cartridge.
92. Hollow Point – A bullet with a hollow tip for controlled expansion.
93. Hop-Up – A system in airsoft guns that applies backspin to projectiles.
94. Ignition – The process of setting off the primer and powder charge.
95. Impact – The force exerted when a projectile hits its target.
96. Impressed Marks – Tool marks left on cartridges or bullets.
97. Internal Ballistics – The study of projectile motion within the barrel.
98. Jacket – The outer layer of a bullet.
99. Jam – A failure of the firearm to operate correctly.
100. Kick – The recoil felt when a firearm is discharged.
101. Lands – The raised portions between the grooves in rifling.
102. Lead – A heavy metal used in bullet construction.
103. Lever Action – A firearm action cycled by a lever beneath the trigger guard.
104. Light Primer Strike – A weak hit by the firing pin that may not ignite the primer.
105. Line of Sight – The straight line between the shooter’s eye and the target.
106. Lock Time – The time between trigger pull and firing pin strike.
107. Magazine – A storage device that feeds ammunition into the firearm.
108. Magnum – A cartridge with greater powder load and power.
109. Mainspring – The spring that powers the hammer or striker.
110. Marks – Unique impressions on bullets or casings used for identification.
111. Muzzle – The front end of the barrel where the projectile exits.
112. Muzzle Brake – A device that redirects gases to reduce recoil.
113. Muzzle Energy – The energy of a bullet as it leaves the barrel.
114. Muzzle Flash – The visible flame from the muzzle upon firing.
115. Muzzle Velocity – The speed of a bullet as it exits the barrel.
116. Neck – The part of a cartridge case that holds the bullet.
117. Nomenclature – The naming of firearm parts and components.
118. Ogive – The curved portion of a bullet that tapers to the tip.
119. Overpressure – Ammunition loaded to higher-than-standard pressure.
120. Parabellum – A term for a type of 9mm cartridge.
121. Pellet – A small round projectile used in shotguns or airguns.
122. Penetration – The depth a projectile reaches in a target.
123. Pistol – A semi-automatic handgun.
124. Plinking – Informal target shooting.
125. Powder – A chemical mixture that burns to propel bullets.
126. Primer – A component that ignites the powder when struck.
127. Primer Pocket – The cavity in a case where the primer sits.
128. Propellant – The chemical substance that produces gas to propel a bullet.
129. Projectile – An object propelled through the air, especially a bullet.
130. Pull – The distance the trigger must move to fire a round.
131. Range – The maximum or effective distance a bullet can travel.
132. Recoil – The backward force after a gun is fired.
133. Reloading – The process of assembling used cases into new ammunition.
134. Residue – Remains of powder, lead, and copper after firing.
135. Ricochet – The deflection of a bullet after striking a surface.
136. Rifling – Spiral grooves inside a barrel that spin-stabilize the bullet.
137. Rim – The base edge of a cartridge case.
138. Rimfire Cartridge – A cartridge with primer around the rim.
139. Round – A single unit of ammunition.
140. Sabot – A plastic shell that holds a sub-caliber projectile.
141. Safety – A mechanism that prevents accidental firing.
142. Scope – An optical aiming device mounted on a firearm.
143. Semi-Automatic – A firearm that fires one round per trigger pull and reloads automatically.
144. Shell – A cartridge used in shotguns.
145. Shot – Pellets used in shotgun shells.
146. Shotgun – A smoothbore firearm that fires multiple pellets.
147. Sight – Aiming device on a firearm.
148. Silencer – A device to suppress muzzle noise; also called a suppressor.
149. Single Action – A trigger mechanism where the hammer must be manually cocked.
150. Sights – Devices used to aim a firearm.
151. Slide – A part of a semi-automatic pistol that cycles during firing.
152. Smoothbore – A barrel without rifling, typical of shotguns.
153. Sniper – A skilled shooter who uses a precision rifle at long range.
154. Soft Point – A bullet with an exposed lead tip to aid expansion.
155. Spitzer – A sharply pointed bullet design.
156. Squib Load – A bullet that gets lodged in the barrel due to low pressure.
157. Stabilization – The process of keeping a bullet on a steady path.
158. Stopping Power – The ability of a bullet to incapacitate a target.
159. Striker – A component that strikes the primer in striker-fired firearms.
160. Suppressor – A device that reduces the sound of gunfire.
161. Terminal Ballistics – The study of projectile effects on the target.
162. Throat – The section of a barrel in front of the chamber.
163. Trajectory – The path a bullet follows in flight.
164. Trigger – The lever that initiates the firing process.
165. Trigger Pull – The amount of pressure required to activate the trigger.
166. Twist Rate – The rate of rifling turn inside a barrel.
167. Underlug – A metal extension below the barrel or frame.
168. Velocity – The speed of a projectile.
169. Wad – A material that separates the powder from the shot in a shotgun.
170. Wadcutter – A flat-nosed bullet used for target shooting.
171. Windage – Horizontal adjustment on sights or effect of wind on bullet.
172. Winchester – A historic firearms brand known for rifles and ammunition.
173. Yaw – The deviation of a bullet’s nose from its path.
174. Zeroing – Adjusting sights to align with the point of impact.

175. Air Resistance – The force air exerts against a moving projectile.
176. Alloy – A mixture of metals often used in bullet jackets.
177. Automatic Loader – A device that feeds cartridges into a firearm automatically.
178. Ballistic Pressure Wave – The pressure wave generated by a projectile in tissue.
179. Barrel Erosion – Wear inside the barrel due to heat and friction.
180. Base Wad – The plastic or paper disk at the base of a shotgun shell.
181. Blowback – A firearm action where the force of recoil cycles the mechanism.
182. Boat-Tail – A bullet design with a tapered base to improve aerodynamics.
183. Breech Pressure – The pressure inside the chamber when a cartridge is fired.
184. Bullet Puller – A tool to separate a bullet from its case.
185. Bullet Seating – The process of placing a bullet into the cartridge case.
186. Bullet Swaging – The process of shaping bullets using pressure.
187. Case Head – The base portion of the cartridge case.
188. Case Neck – The part of a cartridge case that holds the bullet.
189. Chamber Cast – A mold of a firearm’s chamber for forensic analysis.
190. Chamber Reaming – Enlarging or modifying the chamber for different cartridges.
191. Choke Tube – An interchangeable shotgun choke that modifies shot spread.
192. Cold Shot – The first shot from a clean or cold barrel.
193. Comb – The top part of the gun’s stock that rests against the cheek.
194. Copper Fouling – Copper residue left in the barrel by jacketed bullets.
195. Corrosion – Rust or degradation of metal parts in a firearm.
196. Creep – The movement in a trigger before it breaks.
197. Cratering – A deformation around a primer strike indicating pressure.
198. Crown Damage – Deformation at the muzzle end that affects accuracy.
199. Cylinder Bore – A shotgun barrel without choke constriction.
200. Damp Powder – Powder exposed to moisture, reducing ignition reliability.
201. Decibel Rating – Measurement of the loudness of gunfire.
202. Double Feed – A malfunction where two rounds try to enter the chamber.
203. Drag Coefficient – A value that quantifies air resistance on a projectile.
204. Dry Lube – A powder-based lubricant used in firearm maintenance.
205. Dwell Time – The time a bullet spends in the barrel after ignition.
206. Ejection Pattern – The direction and consistency of ejected casings.
207. Expander Die – Reloading tool that flares the case mouth.
208. Expansion Ratio – The rate at which powder gas expands during firing.
209. Falling Block – A type of firearm action where a solid block moves to open the breech.
210. Feathering – Light, partial trigger pulls used in precision shooting.
211. Fiber Wad – A biodegradable shotgun wad made of compressed fiber.
212. Field Strip – Disassembling a firearm for maintenance without tools.
213. Flare – The widening of a case mouth for bullet seating.
214. Flash Suppressor – A muzzle attachment to reduce visible flash.
215. Flinching – An involuntary reaction to expected recoil.
216. Follow-Through – Maintaining aim and control after firing.
217. Footprint – The mount spacing or pattern for optics.
218. Free Bore – The distance a bullet travels before contacting rifling.
219. Friction Heat – Heat generated by the bullet’s contact with the barrel.
220. Gas Check – A copper disc placed at the base of a lead bullet.
221. Gas Key – A component on a bolt carrier that directs gas.
222. Glass Bedding – The use of epoxy to stabilize the rifle action.
223. Glazing – A light polish on the bore or bullet surface.
224. Grouping – The pattern of multiple shots on a target.
225. Gunpowder Burn Rate – The speed at which a powder combusts.
226. Hair Trigger – A trigger with minimal pull weight.
227. Hammer Fall – The downward strike of the hammer in firing.
228. Heat Shield – A guard that protects the shooter from barrel heat.
229. Head Separation – A failure where the case separates at the base.
230. High Brass – A shotgun shell with a taller metal base.
231. Hydraulic Shock – Tissue damage from the pressure wave of a bullet.
232. Ignition Delay – The time between primer strike and powder ignition.
233. Inertia Action – A recoil-operated semi-automatic mechanism.
234. Iron Sights – Non-optical aiming devices made of metal.
235. Jump – The distance a bullet travels before engaging the rifling.
236. Keyholing – A bullet hitting a target sideways due to instability.
237. Lands and Grooves – The raised and recessed portions in rifling.
238. Locking Lug – A projection that secures the bolt during firing.
239. Match Grade – Ammunition or components made to high precision standards.
240. Meltdown – Barrel failure due to excessive sustained fire.
241. Minute of Angle (MOA) – A unit used to measure shooting accuracy.
242. Misfire – A failure of the cartridge to ignite when struck.
243. Neck Tension – The grip of the case neck on the bullet.
244. Overtravel – Trigger movement after the sear breaks.
245. Paper Puncher – A term for low-power target ammunition.
246. Pattern – The spread of pellets from a shotgun.
247. Peep Sight – A small aperture rear sight for precise aiming.
248. Plated Bullet – A lead bullet with a thin metal coating.
249. Point of Aim – The specific point at which the sights are aligned.
250. Point of Impact – Where the bullet actually hits.
251. Pressure Curve – The rise and fall of pressure during a shot.
252. Primer Anvil – The internal component that crushes primer compound.
253. Primer Flow – Deformation of primer metal due to high pressure.
254. Projectile Base – The rear end of the bullet.
255. Proof Load – An overpressure round used to test firearm strength.
256. Punch – A tool used in disassembly or primer removal.
257. Quick Detach – A mounting system for fast removal of optics or parts.
258. Quenching – Rapid cooling of metal parts during manufacturing.
259. Rain Guard – A coating that helps shed water from optics.
260. Rate of Fire – The number of rounds a firearm can fire per minute.
261. Reamer – A tool used to finish or enlarge chambers.
262. Rebounding Hammer – A hammer that returns to a half-cock position after firing.
263. Reticle – The aiming point inside a scope.
264. Revolver Gap – The gap between cylinder and forcing cone in a revolver.
265. Rim Thickness – The thickness of the rim at the case head.
266. Rim Width – The measurement across the diameter of the cartridge rim.
267. Seating Depth – How deep the bullet is inserted in the case.
268. Sectional Density – Bullet weight relative to its diameter.
269. Sear – A part of the trigger system that releases the hammer.
270. Set Trigger – A trigger mechanism that allows an extremely light pull.
271. Sight Radius – The distance between front and rear sights.
272. Slam Fire – A round fired unintentionally by bolt closing.
273. Snap Cap – A dummy cartridge used for dry firing.
274. Spalling – Fragmentation of material when hit by a projectile.
275. Spire Point – A bullet with a sharply pointed tip.
276. Split Neck – A crack in the cartridge neck due to stress or age.
277. Stippling – A textured pattern added to grips for traction.
278. Striker-Fired – A firing system without a traditional hammer.
279. Swage – To form metal using pressure, especially in bullet making.
280. Take Down – A firearm that can be disassembled into major parts.
281. Tap Rack Bang – A method of clearing firearm malfunctions.
282. Taper Crimp – A reloading method that slightly compresses the case mouth.
283. Throat Erosion – Wear in the barrel throat from heat and pressure.
284. Tip – The forward-most part of a bullet.
285. Torque – Rotational force, often affecting screws or scope mounts.
286. Trace – The visible path of a bullet, often observed through mirage or vapor.
287. Transfer Bar – A safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge.
288. Traumatic Cavity – The wound channel caused by a projectile.
289. Trigger Reset – The point where the trigger resets for another shot.
290. Twist Direction – The direction (right or left) of barrel rifling.
291. Umbrella Effect – The spread pattern of pellets at impact.
292. Velocity Loss – The reduction in bullet speed over distance.
293. Vent Rib – A raised rib with holes atop a shotgun barrel.
294. Vertical Stringing – A shot pattern that aligns vertically due to inconsistencies.
295. Wad Cutter – A flat-front bullet designed for clean holes in paper targets.
296. Wind Drift – The effect of wind pushing a bullet off course.
297. Witness Marks – Marks that show alignment or tampering.
298. Zero – The point at which sights are aligned with bullet impact.
299. Zipper Effect – A tearing wound pattern caused by some projectiles.
300. Zone of Lethality – The area in which a bullet can cause fatal damage.