What are the parts of a shotgun cartridge and a rifle cartridge?
Question:
What are the components of a shotgun cartridge and a rifle cartridge?
Answer:
The parts of a shotgun cartridge are primer, powder, wad, and shot or slug. The parts of a rifle cartridge are casing, primer, powder, and bullet.
Explanation:
Shotgun Cartridge
Primer: The primer is a small metal cup located at the base of the shotgun cartridge. It contains an impact-sensitive explosive compound that ignites when struck by the firing pin.
Powder: The powder is a propellant that burns rapidly when ignited. It creates a high-pressure gas that propels the shot or slug out of the cartridge and through the barrel of the shotgun.
Wad: The wad is a plastic or fiber disc that separates the powder from the shot or slug. It helps to cushion and protect the shot as it travels through the barrel.
Shot or Slug: The shot or slug is the projectile that is fired from the shotgun. Shot consists of small pellets, while a slug is a single solid projectile.
Rifle Cartridge
Casing: The casing is the metal container that holds all the components of the rifle cartridge together. It provides structure and strength to the cartridge.
Primer: The primer in a rifle cartridge is similar to the primer in a shotgun cartridge. It ignites the powder when struck by the firing pin.
Powder: The powder in a rifle cartridge is also a propellant that creates a high-pressure gas when ignited.
Bullet: The bullet is the projectile that is fired from the rifle. It is typically made of lead or a lead-core with a jacket to improve aerodynamics and accuracy.