K.626

K.626

Ammunition

What it is. What it does. Why it matters.

A practical ammunition reference covering cartridge anatomy, bullet construction, common load types, shotgun shells, pressure basics, and a comparison tool for real-world cartridges.

Rifle Handgun Shotgun

Cartridge anatomy

Component

Bullet

The projectile itself. Shape, weight, and construction help determine how the cartridge feeds, flies, and performs on impact.

Component

Case

Usually brass, sometimes steel or other materials. It holds the components together and seals the chamber when fired.

Component

Primer

The ignition source. When struck by the firing pin, the primer compound ignites and starts the powder burn.

Component

Powder

The propellant. Burn rate, charge weight, and pressure curve influence velocity, recoil, and safe operation.

Foundation

Rimfire vs centerfire

Rimfire cartridges hold priming compound in the rim and are generally not reloadable in normal practice. The classic example is .22 LR.

Centerfire cartridges use a separate primer in the center of the case head. They dominate most modern handgun, rifle, and shotgun applications.

Foundation

Grains, velocity, and energy

Bullet weight is measured in grains—there are 7,000 grains in one pound. Heavier bullets often carry more momentum; lighter bullets may be driven faster. The exact result depends on the specific load.

Foundation

Pressure & +P

Ammunition is loaded to pressure standards. Some handgun cartridges also have +P variants that operate at higher pressure than standard loads. Use only ammunition your firearm is rated for.

Foundation

Case materials

Brass is the most common. Steel cases are often lower-cost and typically not reloaded. Nickel-plated brass can improve corrosion resistance and visibility.

Common bullet types

FMJ

Full Metal Jacket. Common for training and range use. Typically designed for reliable feeding and reduced barrel fouling.

JHP

Jacketed Hollow Point. Common in defensive handgun ammunition, engineered to expand under suitable conditions.

Soft Point

Exposed lead at the nose with a jacketed shank. Common in hunting ammunition where controlled expansion is desired.

Polymer Tip

Plastic tip over a cavity or lead core. Often used to improve ballistic shape and initiate reliable expansion.

Bonded

Jacket and core are bonded together to help reduce separation and improve weight retention.

Monolithic

Usually copper or copper-alloy. Known for consistent construction and strong weight retention.

Match / OTM

Built for consistency and accuracy. Open-tip match bullets are designed primarily for precision, not necessarily expansion.

Wadcutter

Flat-front handgun bullet designed to punch clean holes in paper targets, common in target revolver ammunition.

Shotgun ammunition

Gauge, shot size, buckshot, slug.

Shotgun shells are described by gauge rather than caliber in most cases, with 12 gauge and 20 gauge being common examples. They are also identified by shell length, payload, velocity, and the type of projectile they contain.

  • Birdshot — many small pellets for clay targets, pests, and upland use.
  • Buckshot — larger pellets for defensive or certain hunting applications.
  • Slug — a single projectile used when a solid projectile is required.

Cartridge comparison

Compare up to three cartridges, adjust bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient, then view estimated drop and retained energy by distance. Use the impact-distance readout for a quick picture of downrange effect.

These trajectory and impact figures are practical estimates built from representative data and a simplified BC-based model. For exact dope, verify velocity and confirm in the field.

Cartridge A

Cartridge B

Cartridge C

Fall at distance More drop is shown lower on the chart. Hover or tap for exact inches at a distance.
Impact energy by distance Hover or tap for exact retained energy and velocity at a distance.

Cartridge reference chart

A larger field-reference index spanning modern, legacy, sporting, duty, hunting, precision, rimfire, handgun, rifle, and shotgun ammunition.

0 cartridges shown

Cartridge Category Case style Bullet / bore dia. Typical bullet / payload Typical velocity Common use / note

Typical weights and velocities are broad commercial-reference ranges and can vary substantially by firearm, barrel length, pressure standard, and specific factory load. Always use the exact ammunition designation marked for your firearm.