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Military Science. Artillery.        

A Glossary of Terms

Barrel Part of a gun through which the bullet passes, travelling from breech to muzzle.

Bore The inside of the gun's barrel.

Bore Diameter In rifled arms, the diametrical measurement between tops of lands.

Breech The rear part of a firearm of cannon, at the rear of the bore.

Bullet The projectile itself; not to be confused with the cartridge.

Calibre The bore or groove diameter, expressed in decimals of an inch in U.s., and in the metric system otherwise.

Cartridge Complete round of ammunition, including cartridge case, primer, bullet and powder.

Chamber The part of the bore, at the breech, formed to accept the cartridge.

Grooves Spiral cuts in a bore which cause the bullet to spin as it travels down the barrel.

Lands Portion of the bore remaining after the grooves, or rifling, have been cut.

Mid-Range Used in connection with the trajectory, referring to a point midway between the muzzle and the target.

Mushroom Tendency of bullets to expand on impact.

Muzzle End of the barrel opposite the breech; point from which the projectile leaves the gun.

Pressure Gas pressure generated in a cartridge on its being fired; expressed in pounds per square inch.

Primer Small cup containing a detonating mixture, seated in a recess in the base of the case.

Recoil The backward thrust of a gun caused by the reaction to the powder gases pushing the bullet forward.

Trajectory Curved path of a bullet in flight.

Velocity Speed of a projectile, usually measured in feet per second at the muzzle, and in yards at further distances.

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This page was last updated on 08/23/2009.

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Military Science.--Artillery.

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