Patricia
Have you ever wondered how guns work?
Guns and bullets can be intimidating, even dangerous, unless we need one for work; they’re not a part of our daily lives. People use guns for a variety of reasons, and knowing how it works is vital to owning one.
So today, we’re shedding a little light on one of the most common gun accessories: the bullet shell. We’re breaking down its parts, how it works, and how it’s used.
Let’s do this.
Parts of a Bullet Shell
A bullet shell, also known as a bullet casing, is a container of cartridges that hold a small primer, propellant, and bullet. The two main parts of a bullet casing are the body and the base. The primer is usually located at the base of the casing, while in the body are the propellant and bullet.
How They Work
When a gun is fired, the round is propelled forward and starts to expand, catching the grooves inside the shell to form a seal. This seal allows the round, containing the powder, to remain in the gun chamber until the round is fired.
The bullet shell is then forced back against the walls of the gun chamber with great force, where it is forced open and the empty case is then ejected out the back of the gun. The ejected shell allows the shooter to reload quickly and continue shooting. A new primer and propellant must then be loaded into the brass casing, after which inserts a new bullet.
Range and Usage of Bullet Shells
The design of the shell determines the range and usage of ammunition. For example, shells come in standard, short-range, and long-range sizes.
The shorter the shell, the more “compact” the round is and the closer to the gun’s bore diameter. This in return puts a limit to the barrel length and range. For longer ranges, more powder is usually added with a larger shell. With increased range comes increased recoil and an increased risk of the round going astray.
Gun enthusiasts must have an understanding of the ins and outs of bullet shells when it comes to range and usage. Powerful reloaded munitions can then be used in hunting, target shooting, and collections. For your recreational shooting needs, look here for more info on brass casings.
Different Materials Used for Bullets
Bullets are typically made of brass, copper, or aluminum and come in different sizes and shapes. Brass shells are typically the most common choice for bullets since the material is strong and relatively inexpensive. Copper is often used for more expensive, high-powered rifles and handguns since it can withstand more powerful pressures.
Aluminum is also used for some lighter bullets like .22s and .25s since it is lightweight and can give good accuracy. The bullets and materials used for a particular firearm depend on the type of shooting activity it is intended for.
Bullets Demystified
Without a bullet, a gun is as useful as a paperweight. It is important to understand how a bullet shell works to get a clear understanding of its mechanics. Don’t forget to take an extra step and consider a gun safety course to understand gun safety with firearms and the proper usage of bullets.
Now that you know the ins and outs of bullets feel free to check out our other blog posts for more informative content.
