Bullets and Cartridges

by
posted on May 25, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wiley-clapp.jpg (3)

There appears to be a modern misuse of gun terms in magazine articles, on the web and even conversationally that is causing some problems. In some quarters, it has become popular to describe certain objects incorrectly, because some folks regard this as kind of cute. It's akin to saying “ain't” when you really mean “am not.” What do you load into a modern handgun? Is it a bullet or a cartridge? It is probably a cartridge, but if that's true, the cartridge contains a bullet. Confused?

For terminology questions, I prefer the “NRA Firearms Sourcebook.” This outstanding effort on the part of the American Rifleman Technical staff tells us that a bullet is a “non-spherical projectile for use in a rifled barrel...” and a cartridge is “a single round of ammunition consisting of case, primer and propellant with one or more projectiles.” In other words, a bullet is the part of a cartridge that goes sailing downrange to do its work. The terms are not interchangeable and should be used for their specific and individual meanings.

But the goofs continue. After I wrote the first part of this blog, I had occasion to begin a new—and long awaited—thriller novel. Hardly a hundred pages down and—you guessed it—the author had one of his characters open the action of a villain's pistol and a “bullet” comes tumbling out. Now this is possible, but I am dead-bang certain that he meant to have a cartridge in play. The author is well-known for his extreme attention to detail, particularly technical details. That doesn't mean that it isn't an error that can tend to confuse. Bullets are bullets, cartridges are cartridges and they need to be referred to as such.

Latest

Keltec Big Move ARTV 1
Keltec Big Move ARTV 1

KelTec's Big Move To Wyoming

KelTec is the largest gunmaker in the state of Florida, but when the company looked to expand its manufacturing footprint, ultimately, the decision was made to create KelTec West, an entirely new production facility located in Rock Springs, Wyo.

New For 2025: Rossi RS22 Pistol

Rossi USA downsized its RS22 platform in 2025, creating a compact, large-format pistol variant of its popular RS22 semi-automatic rifle.

Handloads: A .32-20 Win. For Small-Game Hunting

The .32-20 Winchester Center Fire gained a fair following after it was introduced in 1882 in the Winchester Model 1873 rifle as a cartridge of modest power and good accuracy for small-game hunting and target shooting.

Rifleman Report: Heirloom Qualities

I’m thankful that we seldom witness the loss of an American Rifleman field editor, but, unfortunately for the entire shooting community, that occurred recently with the passing of combat handgun authority Wiley Clapp.

Vudoo Gun Works Moves To Oklahoma

Vudoo Gun Works, manufacturer of precision rifles and other firearms, has relocated its headquarters and all manufacturing to Prague, Okla.

I Have This Old Gun: British Blunderbuss

The blunderbuss is not uncommonly regarded as a sidebar in firearm history. But in reality, these purpose-built defensive shotguns, within their limitations, were deadly, efficient and widely employed by civilians, the military and law enforcement.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.