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

Leo Surplus Guns Horman
Leo Surplus Guns Horman

LEO Trade-Ins: The Sleeper Surplus Market

Although much of the budget-priced military surplus market has dried up, there are still affordable options among the long guns and handguns retired from law enforcement service.

Henry Repeating Arms Expands Spirit of the Corps Rifle Series

After much demand, Henry Repeating Arms is back with two attention-getting lever guns in honor of the U.S. Marine Corps and its 250 years safeguarding the globe.

Rifleman Review: Heritage Mfg. Roscoe

In recent years, Heritage Mfg. has expanded its centerfire offerings, and the Roscoe is one of the latest new models, a retro-styled revolver chambered for .38 Special that's capable of dedicated defensive use.

Chiappa Expands Rhino Revolver Lineup

Chiappa Firearms is updating its unique line of Rhino revolvers with several new models, giving consumers an all-new 10 mm Auto chambering, as well as complete stainless-steel construction.

Review: TandemKross Manticore X

In 2024, TandemKross (TK), best known for its high-quality competition upgrades for rimfire platforms, launched the first ever lower-receiver assembly designed for the rimfire Ruger 10/22 platform.

Rifleman Q&A: Surreptitious L.C. Smith

American Rifleman staff recently received the following question about markings on a possible L.C. Smith shotgun. Read what we learned:

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.