Propellant
Definition
The chemical charge that burns rapidly inside the case to generate the gas that drives the projectile down the barrel. Black powder historically, smokeless powders today.
Related terms
- Ammunition
- The cartridge assembly fired by a firearm. Comprises case, primer, propellant and projectile. Defined under Section 2(1)(b) of the Arms Act 1959...
- Bore / Caliber
- Bore is the internal diameter of the barrel. Caliber is that diameter expressed in inches (.32,.38) or millimetres (9 mm, 7.62 mm)....
- Cartridge
- The complete round of ammunition: case plus primer plus propellant plus projectile, assembled as a single unit for breech loading.
- Firearm
- A barrelled weapon that launches a projectile by the rapid expansion of gas from a confined burning propellant. Includes handguns, rifles and...
- Primer
- The small explosive cup at the base of a cartridge that ignites the propellant. Conventional primers use lead styphnate, barium nitrate and...
- Projectile
- The object expelled from the barrel. Single bullet in rifled arms, multiple pellets or single slug in shotguns.
- Rifling
- The helical groove pattern cut into a firearm barrel that imparts spin to the bullet, stabilising it in flight. Rifling lands and...
Explained in
- Firearms: Types, Classification, Ammunition and CompositionsThe chemical charge that burns rapidly inside the case to generate the gas that drives the projectile down the barrel. Black powder historically, smokeless pow...