Ammo Types & Calibers
TLDRIn this GUNSMARTS video, Jerry Miculek from Smith & Wesson educates viewers on ammunition types, distinguishing between rimfire and centerfire rounds. He explains the differences between rimmed and rimless cartridges, highlighting their suitability for revolvers and semi-automatic firearms respectively. The video also covers bullet types, such as full metal jacket and hollow point, emphasizing their purposes and the importance of understanding bullet weights and their impact on point of aim and impact. Miculek suggests testing 100 rounds of hollow point ammunition for reliability and accuracy.
Takeaways
- 🔫 **Ammunition Types**: The script discusses two main types of ammunition: rimfire and centerfire, with centerfire further divided into rimmed and rimless cartridges.
- 📌 **Rimfire vs. Centerfire**: Rimfire cartridges ignite from the rim when struck by the firing pin, while centerfire cartridges have the priming compound in the center of the cartridge.
- 🔍 **Revolvers and Rimmed Cartridges**: Most revolvers use rimmed cartridges for proper headspace and extraction due to the available room behind the primer.
- 📚 **Semi-Automatic Compatibility**: Rimless cartridges are designed to function well in semi-automatic platforms to prevent malfunctions when stacked in a magazine.
- 🚫 **Bullet Design Impact**: The bullet type, either full metal jacket or hollow point, affects performance, with hollow points designed to expand and reduce over-penetration.
- 🎯 **Rifle Cartridges**: The script mentions rifle cartridges, which have a bottleneck feature to hold the bullet and ensure reliable feeding and headspacing.
- 🔄 **Changing Bullet Weights**: Changing the bullet weight in a caliber, such as from a 115 grain full metal jacket to a 147 grain hollow point, can affect the point of aim and point of impact.
- ⚖️ **Bullet Weight Measurement**: Bullets are weighed in grains, with 7000 grains making up a pound, providing a reference for understanding bullet weight differences.
- 🔩 **Functionality Test**: When switching to hollow point ammunition, it is recommended to fire at least 100 rounds to ensure the ammunition functions correctly with the firearm.
- 👍 **Learning and Engagement**: The video aims to educate viewers about different types of ammunition and encourages them to like and subscribe for more content.
Q & A
What is the main difference between rimfire and centerfire ammunition?
-Rimfire ammunition has the priming compound on the rim of the cartridge, which is struck by the firing pin to ignite the propellant. Centerfire ammunition, on the other hand, has the priming compound in the center of the cartridge, which is the more common type used today.
Why are rimmed cartridges typically used in revolvers?
-Revolvers use rimmed cartridges because the rim provides a place for the extractor to grip the cartridge for removal and for proper headspacing, ensuring reliable function.
What is the purpose of a rimless cartridge design?
-Rimless cartridges are designed to prevent the rims from hooking on each other when stacked in a magazine, which helps to avoid malfunctions in semi-automatic firearms.
What distinguishes a full metal jacket bullet from a hollow point bullet?
-A full metal jacket bullet has a metal jacket covering the entire front of the bullet, while a hollow point bullet has an opening in the front of the jacket, allowing it to expand upon impact, which can reduce over-penetration.
Why might one choose to use hollow point ammunition over full metal jacket?
-Hollow point ammunition is preferred in situations where over-penetration is a concern, as it is designed to expand upon impact, providing greater energy transfer to the target and reducing the risk of passing through and potentially hitting unintended targets.
What is the significance of the term 'ball round' in relation to ammunition?
-The term 'ball round' refers to a type of full metal jacket ammunition, named for its round, unjacketed lead core, which is common in military and practice ammunition.
How does changing the bullet weight in a caliber affect the point of aim and point of impact?
-Changing the bullet weight can alter the trajectory and ballistics of the round, which in turn affects the point of aim and point of impact. Heavier bullets, such as 147-grain hollow points compared to 115-grain full metal jackets, may require adjustments to the sights or point of aim.
What is the importance of understanding bullet weights in grains when selecting ammunition?
-Understanding bullet weights in grains allows a shooter to make informed decisions about the performance and suitability of the ammunition for their intended use, whether for practice, self-defense, or hunting.
Why is it recommended to shoot a certain amount of hollow point ammunition before relying on it for self-defense?
-It is recommended to shoot at least 100 rounds of hollow point ammunition to ensure that it functions reliably in the firearm and to confirm that the point of aim and point of impact are as expected.
What is the role of the bottleneck feature in rifle cartridges?
-The bottleneck feature in rifle cartridges helps to securely hold the bullet and provides a proper headspace for the cartridge, ensuring reliable feeding and function in the firearm.
How does the headspacing on the neck of a cartridge differ from headspacing on the rim?
-Headspacing on the neck of a cartridge, as opposed to the rim, allows for a more secure fit and better alignment of the bullet with the bore of the firearm, which can improve accuracy and reliability.
Outlines
🔫 Introduction to Ammunition Types
Jerry Miculek introduces the topic of ammunition types in this video, focusing on the differences between rimfire and centerfire rounds. He explains that rimfire cartridges are ignited by the firing pin striking the rim, while centerfire rounds have the primer in the center of the cartridge. Jerry also distinguishes between rimmed and rimless cartridges, noting that revolvers typically use rimmed cartridges for proper headspacing and extraction, whereas rimless cartridges are designed for smooth feeding in semi-automatic firearms to prevent magazine malfunctions.
🚀 Bullet Types: Full Metal Jacket vs. Hollow Point
The script delves into the two main types of bullets: full metal jacket and hollow point. Full metal jacket bullets have a metal covering over the entire front of the bullet, often referred to as 'ball' rounds, and are suitable for practice and plinking. In contrast, hollow point or soft point bullets are designed to expand upon impact to prevent over-penetration, making them appropriate for self-defense and hunting scenarios. Jerry emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of each bullet type and the implications for ammunition selection.
📐 Cartridge Design: Rimmed, Rimless, and Bottleneck Features
Jerry discusses the physical characteristics of cartridges, including the presence of a bottleneck which secures the bullet and allows for proper headspacing. He explains the design differences between rimmed and rimless cartridges, noting that the latter is crucial for reliable feeding in semi-automatic firearms. The script also touches on the importance of the cartridge's body design for stacking in a magazine without causing malfunctions.
🎯 Impact of Bullet Weight on Point of Aim and Point of Impact
The video script addresses how changing bullet weights within the same caliber affects shooting accuracy. Jerry illustrates this by comparing a standard 9mm 115-grain full metal jacket round to a 147-grain hollow point, explaining that the heavier bullet will alter the point of aim and point of impact. He advises shooters to test new ammunition types by firing at least 100 rounds to ensure accuracy and reliable function with their firearm.
👍 Conclusion and Call to Action
In the concluding part of the script, Jerry hopes that viewers have gained valuable knowledge about ammunition through the video. He encourages viewers to like and subscribe for more informative content, emphasizing the educational purpose of the GUNSMARTS series.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Expanding Ammunition
💡Rimfire
💡Centerfire
💡Rimmed Cartridge
💡Rimless Cartridge
💡Full Metal Jacket
💡Ball Round
💡Bullet Weight
💡Grains
💡Point of Aim/Point of Impact
💡Bottleneck
Highlights
Introduction to two types of ammunition: rimfire and centerfire.
Explanation of rimfire cartridges and their historical evolution to centerfire rounds.
Differentiation between rimmed and rimless cartridges and their respective uses in revolvers and semi-automatic firearms.
Importance of the bullet type in ammunition, specifically full metal jacket and hollow point.
Description of a full metal jacket bullet and its common references such as 'ball round'.
Details on hollow point ammunition and its design to expand upon impact to prevent over-penetration.
Transition to rifle cartridges and the distinction between full metal jacket and hollow point bullets.
Discussion on the practical use of full metal jacket for practice and hollow point for controlled penetration.
Introduction of the bottleneck feature in rifle cartridges and its role in bullet retention and headspacing.
Explanation of how cartridges headspace on the neck rather than the rim for reliable feeding.
Impact of bullet weight on point of aim and point of impact, with a focus on 9mm rounds.
Conversion of grains to pounds to understand bullet weight in a more relatable measure.
Recommendation to shoot 100 rounds of hollow point ammunition to ensure accuracy and firearm function.
Jerry Miculek's personal involvement in the video as an expert discussing ammunition types.
The educational nature of the video aimed at enhancing GUNSMARTS among viewers.
Encouragement for viewers to like and subscribe for more informative content.
Transcripts
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