Fart 3

Internal ballistics

Inside the gun

External Ballistics

The path of trajectory

Terminal Ballistics

Wound ballistics

Parts of a ammunition (top to bottom)

Projectile, casing, powder, Primer

Gunpowder

A propellant, is not an explosive

Sequence of Events

• Primer strike (via firing pin/striker)
• Primer detonation
• Ignition/deflagration of powder
• Increase pressure within casing d/t expanding gases
• Bullet forced from casing into rifling of barrel
• Rifling imparts “spin” as bullet traverses barrel length
• Bullet leaves barrel, followed by hot, still-expanding gases (creates muzzle blast and muzzle flash)

PII

PII – (#1) Point of Initial Intersect. This is
where the bullet crosses the LOS (Line of
Sight) for the first time.

PSI

(#2) Point of Secondary Intersect. This is
the point where the bullet crosses the LOS for
the second time.

MO

(#3) Maximum Ordinate. This is the
highest point the bullet reaches during its
parabolic flight path

Land

Raised portion on a rifle

Groove

depressed portion on a rifle