The composition of the cartridge: what it consists of, classification and types. Modern small arms cartridges

A hunting cartridge differs from a combat cartridge in the difference in the stopping effect of the bullet and the lethality of the defeat. Although firearms known since the fourteenth century, for a very long time military weapons were practically no different from hunting weapons. With the development of gunsmithing, the differences became more obvious: in the design, systems of locks, barrels, lethal force and target engagement range.

Cartridge

At the dawn of firearms, the cartridge resembled a “constructor” that had to be quickly, in a strictly defined order, “assembled” on the battlefield and managed to fire from it before the enemy. Separately, gunpowder was poured into the barrel, then a bullet was pushed into it, then the fuse was lit, and finally a shot sounded.

The cartridge itself is defined as ammunition for small arms, loaded in one step. The definition of “unitary” means that the ammunition, through the cartridge case, carries the actual projectile (bullet, buckshot, shot), a certain amount of gunpowder and a primer (igniting element). The design may also contain additional parts in the form of a container (concentrator) in which shot or buckshot is packed.

12 gauge cartridge

Despite the amazing variety of types of hunting weapons, the most common ammunition for them is 12-gauge hunting cartridges. This means that twelve bullets can be made from a one-pound piece of lead.

Their popularity can be explained simply: they are universal and suitable for hunting:

• waterfowl - goose, duck,
• forest game - black grouse, wood grouse, partridge, hazel grouse;
• small animals - fox, hare;
• medium - wild boar, wolf, roe deer.

This caliber is also widely used for sporting purposes.

Types of cartridges

12 gauge hunting cartridges are divided into several types depending on the following characteristics:

1. According to the material from which the sleeves are made:

• metal;
• paper;
• plastic.

2. By type of gunpowder:

• smoky;
• smokeless.

3. By type of charge:

• buckshot;
• fraction;
• bullet.

In addition, there are differences in the quality of the shot; it can be steel or lead. The hunting cartridge can be standard or with an increased powder charge. For each type of hunting, a certain type of equipment is selected.

An important indicator for ammunition will be the length of the cartridge case. There are also nuances for each type of charge:

Buckshot and shot are very similar in appearance and are made from similar materials. The main difference is in size. Shot is called small balls with a diameter of 1.5 mm to 5 mm; anything larger is called buckshot. High quality pellets are centered, the shape is a regular sphere, and there are no voids inside. The classification of shot divides it into 16 sizes (in Russia). The smallest - with a diameter of 1.25 mm, has the number 12, the largest - 5.00 mm, its number is 0000. Each subsequent number entails a change in the size of the shot diameter by 0.25 mm.

Cartridges for hunting weapons with buckshot are used for large and medium-sized animals. Gunshot is represented by large shot with a diameter of 5.25 mm to 10.00 mm.

Ammo selection

Depending on the game for hunting, choose the type of projectile:

• Hunting shotgun cartridges. For the charge, shot with a diameter of 1.5 mm to 5 mm is used. For hunting waterfowl and forest game.
• Buckshot cartridges. For the charge, buckshot (large shot) with a diameter of more than 5 mm is used. They hunt not large animal.
• Bullet cartridges. Several types of bullets are used: pointer with a stabilizer tail, round, turbine (due to their design they use the flow of oncoming air), pointer-turbine. For a large animal. This is not a complete list of bullets produced in the world; it is impossible to accurately count them. There is a system of naming bullets for sporting and hunting weapons that is generally accepted in all countries. A special simplified abbreviation is provided. The decoding of the name indicates the type of bullet and its design features. For example, the letters "FMJ" on a bullet indicate that the projectile has a full metal jacket. This type is used in sports and hunting.

Marking helps you select the right cartridges for your hunting weapon. A brief inscription informs the main parameters: purpose (hunting), caliber size, type of gunpowder, shot number, cartridge case length.

Ammo calibers

There are two definitions of caliber:

• bullet diameter;
• the diameter of the bore of a weapon.

The calibers of hunting cartridges in numerical values ​​coincide with the bore of the weapon. Moreover, the calibers of smooth-bore and rifled weapons differ somewhat in markings.

Smoothbore guns are calibrated with an even integer: 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36. The most popular calibers in the world are 12, 16, 20, 28, 32 and 36. Ammunition for him - 16 gauge hunting cartridges. This gradation makes it easy to select shells for your weapon.

The caliber of a rifled weapon is determined to hundredths of a millimeter. B is counted in inches. For example 7.62 mm or 5.6 mm. Shells are calibrated in the same way - 7.62 hunting cartridges. The diameter of a rifled weapon bullet must necessarily correspond to the diameter of the barrel. Then the bullet acquires rotational motion.

It’s hard to make a mistake with the standard size, but you have to be careful with the selection of bullets. English-language labeling requires certain knowledge. The choice depends on the purpose of the charge; it should have the best accuracy at maximum range or maximum stopping effect, what kind of game the hunter will catch - small or large. The marking will tell you the best option.

Cartridges for sports

Hunting and sporting-hunting cartridges differ from combat cartridges in the absence of solid steel cores in bullets. The main task of such weapons is to hit one single target that does not have protective body armor. A live bullet that penetrates large game and can ricochet off rocks or trees is too dangerous and unpredictable to use in hunting.

It is almost impossible to find more specific parameters by which it is possible to clearly distinguish between combat and hunting or sports-hunting ammunition. A huge number of weapons, different in purpose, but similar in their characteristics, leads to the fact that live ammunition can also be used in hunting rifles.

Sports and almost identical. The difference is that sports are highly specialized: they have more mass, have a comfortable handle and a special stock, and cartridges for 12-gauge shooting. Hunting rifles have a slightly wider range of applications.

Loading cartridges

A huge range of ammunition allows you to satisfy almost any needs of hunters and athletes. This choice is provided by a hunting store. The cartridges are offered with both bullets and buckshot or shot. A significant disadvantage of such products is the reduced mass of gunpowder and increased weight of shot.

At home, ammunition is loaded for two main reasons:

• firstly, it is much cheaper than buying ready-made products;
• secondly, hand-made production helps to achieve a much better quality of gun action.

Many hunters, especially those with extensive experience, prefer to make their own ammunition. All the necessary components to make a hunting cartridge are on sale:

Loading hunting cartridges is not an easy task and in some ways unsafe. The presence of flammable powder requires careful and careful handling. Open fire is not allowed.

Equipment you will need:

• powder dispenser;
• scales and a set of weights;
• special measures for gunpowder and shot;
• cartridge stand;
• UPS - Sidorenko’s universal device for pressing primers;
• navoynik, used for sending a wad.

Finished cartridges are calibrated and stored in a dry place.

Homemade ammunition does not have a guaranteed shelf life. It all depends on the source material. During assembly, old gunpowder and a new primer may be used; such nuances must be taken into account. If at least one part of the cartridge is expired, it cannot be used, it is simply dangerous.

Smoothbore cartridges

Any hunting cartridge can be classified into one of three main groups:

• For smooth-bore weapons, the barrel has a smooth bore. Cartridges for this type of weapon can be bullet, buckshot and shotgun.
• For rifled weapons, the barrel has a helical thread. It can fire slug and shotgun cartridges.
• For “paradoxes”, in this type of weapon the smooth barrel in the muzzle is threaded. This design allows the use of all types of cartridges: bullet, shot and buckshot.

Smoothbore hunting cartridges consist of a cylindrical cartridge case equipped with an igniter primer, a projectile (this can be buckshot, shot, or a bullet), a powder charge, a wad, and a gasket.

Unsheathed charges made of lead. The effectiveness of shooting shot and buckshot within 60 meters. Certain types of bullets for smooth-bore weapons can be stabilized in flight.

Depending on the type of cartridge, it can be used for sporting competitions or a certain type of amateur or professional hunting.

Ammunition for smooth-bore weapons is conventionally divided into:

• small-caliber - 28th, 32nd, 36th;
• medium-caliber - 16th, 20th, 24th;
• large-caliber - 4th, 8th, 10th, 12th.

Today, both weapons and cartridges of caliber 4 and 8 are no longer produced. 10 gauge is rare and is only common in the United States. The remaining calibers have varying degrees of popularity and demand among hunters and athletes.

Rifled cartridges

Rifled hunting cartridges are used for hunting game with a carbine or rifle. The bullet has a soft lead core and a hard jacket. According to the law, in hunting cartridges It is prohibited to use armor-piercing and steel cores, explosive and tracer bullets.

Modern industry is able to satisfy almost all the requirements of hunters for shooting game of any size at various distances. You can select rifled hunting cartridges with different penetrating abilities and ballistic characteristics.

In stores selling hunting equipment, a competent employee will always be able to advise the buyer on the optimal ammunition for the existing weapon. You should not refuse the help of a specialist; the variety of cartridges is so great that it is not so easy to understand it. The correct choice of cartridges guarantees success in hunting. Incorrectly selected calibers of hunting cartridges can lead not only to damage to the weapon, but also to injury to the shooter.

Popularity of individual brands of 12 gauge ammunition

- No. 5, No. 6, No. 7 up to 40 meters - for black grouse, woodcock, duck;

- No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 up to 45 meters - for goose, hare;

- No. 000-1 up to 50 meters - for fox, hare, raccoon, goose.

• Tahoe produces a variety of cartridges. Shot No. 9-4, bullets, buckshot, for shotguns with a 70 mm chamber. For athletes, shot No. 5, 7, 9 is used in cartridges.
• "Fetter" is one of the most popular brands. They are distinguished by high quality and affordable price. For the most different types hunting for any game. The cartridges have special markings, for example, “Capercaillie”, “Duck” and others.
• “Clover” is made from high quality raw materials, the packaging has simple and clear labeling. The peculiarity of this brand is that the cartridge cases for all types of cartridges are made of plastic, length - 65-89 mm. The shot is mainly lead, some samples are made of steel. Suitable for traditional weapons with a 70 mm chamber.

The ability to understand the types of weapons and ammunition for them also has a practical side - it will help make right choice and get real pleasure from hunting.

Humanity has been using small arms for more than 8 centuries - the first mentions of Chinese “fire spears” appeared in the 1200s. During this time, from a bamboo stick filled with homemade gunpowder, the “firearm” turned into a perfect weapon capable of hitting a target at a distance of more than 2 km. The peculiarities of our civilization have led to enormous progress in the field of weapons, and some engineering solutions are unusual and beautiful in their own way. The variety of bullet designs is especially impressive - gunsmiths have found thousands of possibilities for imagination in a small piece of metal.

(29 photos)

A cartridge with a flying casing.

The caseless 9mm AUPO cartridge was developed and tested in the first half of the 1980s by Italian designer Bruno Civolani. Benelli Armi has designed the Benelli CB-M2 submachine gun specifically for this ammunition.

The 9mm AUPO cartridge consisted of an all-metal head and a hollow, thin-walled rear part, shaped like a cylinder

Diagram of the operation of the impact mechanism and cartridge design of the Benelli CB-M2 submachine gun.

The rear part of the cartridge, made in the form of a “glass,” served as a sleeve; inside it were located a propellant powder charge and a charge of igniting substance located in a circle (capsule charge). Open rear end The cartridge case was closed with a burning diaphragm, which protected the charge from spillage and moisture during storage.

Cartridges with compressed charge.

In the early 60s of the last century, the German Ministry of Defense funded a research program to develop and study caseless ammunition of intermediate calibers. Development work was carried out by Dynamit Nobel.

From top to bottom: experimental 4.3x21 DAG and 4.7x21 DE11, final 4.73x33 HK.

Another similar cartridge was developed in the USA by AAI Corporation in the early 1980s, for the “Advanced Infantry Weapon System” (AIWS) program aimed at finding a replacement for the M-16 rifle.

Several modifications of it have been developed. The main option was a 4.3-mm sub-caliber bullet with a lead core in a drop-down segment tray.

Jet Gyrojet.

Perhaps the most famous caseless circuit is the jet cartridge American pistol MBA Gyrojet

Gyrojet jet bullets (13x50 mm), made of stainless steel, had a low initial speed and were stabilized only by rotation due to the deflection of part of the powder gases in the radial plane, but the shot was almost silent, and at a distance of 55 m the energy of the accelerated bullet was almost doubled exceeded the energy of a bullet fired from a Colt M1911 pistol.

In 1960, the MBA company developed and launched the production of very unusual bullets - rocket bullets. Inside the hollow bullets there was a charge of gunpowder and a primer, that is, a cartridge case was not required. Of course, pistols were also produced for these jet bullets: 13-mm multi-shot Gyrojet. This weapon had unique characteristics precisely thanks to the unusual bullet. First of all, it had the simplest design, minimum moving parts and minimal recoil. In addition, the Gyrojet fired much quieter than conventional pistols and produced less muzzle flash.

However, the bullet also had its drawbacks. The jet bullet flew out of the barrel with a minimum initial speed, and it required time to accelerate to a maximum of 260 m/sec, which at short distances reduced the already not very high lethality and BP of the Gyrojet. In addition, making the bullet was labor-intensive: it was necessary to drill rocket nozzles into the bullet with high precision, although the main material of the bullet (steel) was cheap. Also, the developers were unable to achieve acceptable accuracy at distances greater than 20 m. As a result, the Gyrojet was too expensive and had too narrow a range to be widely used.

Collectors of rare weapons say that shooting Gyrojet pistols and carbines is a special pleasure.

Among the mass of unusual design solutions, Gyrojet has the best chance of revival. Modern grades of gunpowder and 3D laser printing technology make it easier to produce high-quality rocket bullets that potentially have higher accuracy than the Gyrojet developed in the 1960s. A rocket bullet can radically simplify, lighten and reduce the cost of small arms - an assault rifle chambered for rocket cartridges can weigh only 1.5-2 kg and cost at least 2-3 times cheaper than modern analogues chambered for a regular cartridge. It is impossible to achieve such a result using modern cartridges: even the most advanced and expensive solutions using plastic cartridges and titanium alloys within the framework of the LSAT program can reduce the weight of weapons with ammunition by only 30-35%.

Underwater active-reactive cartridge 7.62 mm caliber

In 1967, the USSR Navy ordered TsNIITOCHMASH to develop a complex of underwater weapons for combat swimmers.

The development of an underwater pistol and ammunition for it began in February 1968 by D.I. Shiryaev. together with Matveykin S.I. – engineer in the field of development of solid fuel engines. The project was based on open patent documentation for the Gyrojet pistol.

The cartridge consisted of a long steel tube with a sharp and heavy tip. The tube housed a solid fuel bomb. The bottom of the tube was covered by a jet engine nozzle and a steel pan. A tin leading belt guided the rocket along the rifling of the barrel, providing the initial spin of the bullet. The rocket was mounted in a brass sleeve with an expelling charge and a Zhevelo primer.

The first samples of the pistol and ammunition were ready by July 1968 and tested in Feodosia.

One is good, but two is better. Multi-bullet cartridges.

The SSB (Salvo Squeeze Bore) bullet was first patented in the late 1960s.

The SSB is a complex of several submunitions, conical hollow or conventional bullets, which are mounted on each other and secured in a cartridge case. This design makes it possible to combine submunitions, for example, the front one can be made of heat-strengthened steel, and the subsequent ones can be made of soft copper or with the addition of a tracer compound. SSB has a high stopping effect (SP) because it acts on large area targets than a regular bullet.

The disadvantages of SSB stem from its advantages: increased dispersion of submunitions at long range can lead to a miss. To solve this problem, gunsmiths have developed several variants of SBB, for example, with submunitions flying strictly one after another in a vacuum bubble. But initially, the expensive SBB bullets were not widely used due to the fact that they do not have radical advantages in armor penetration (AP) and stopping effect over conventional bullets. However, this bullet is interesting because it can increase the density of machine gun fire - the submunitions create a denser cloud, increasing the likelihood of hitting the target. Currently, SBBs are used by shooting enthusiasts and special forces soldiers.

Hollifield Target Practice Rod

The Hollifield Target Practice Rod is one of the strangest rounds in firearms history. It was developed by General George Wingate in the 1870s. The Hollifield Target Practice Rod, or Hollifield "DOTTER" for short, consisted of a 2mm rod, 4mm tube and a cartridge with no primer or powder charge. The tube was inserted into the barrel, a spring-loaded rod was inserted inside the tube, and the rifle was loaded with a cartridge, inside of which another spring-loaded rod moved instead of a bullet. During the “shot,” the firing pin hit the cartridge rod, and the cartridge rod, in turn, hit the rod inside the barrel tube. As a result, the barrel rod “jumped” out of the rifle barrel by 15 cm and pierced a special paper target simulating a distant target.

Hollifield Target Practice Rod allows you to simulate shooting at long distances

Thus, with the help of the Hollifield “DOTTER” it was possible to practice shooting even indoors, without firing live ammunition. Moreover, the shooter could learn how to quickly operate the bolt of a rifle, load it, put it on/off the safety, that is, bring the handling of the weapon to automaticity, using safe training ammunition.

Today, against the background of modern Hollifield laser simulators, “DOTTER” looks like a funny anachronism, but, nevertheless, from time to time there are enthusiasts who reinvent the Wingate device.

Arrow cartridges

According to historical sources tried to load with arrows smoothbore samples weapons back in the 17th century, and even these hand-made charges placed in wooden cylinders gave some advantage in firing range.

The peak of research in this area occurred in the 60s of the twentieth century. In the USSR, this topic began to be studied at NII-61 (later TsNIITOCHMASH). The result of the work was the OPS cartridge (feathered sub-caliber rifle) and the AO-27 assault rifle

Arrowhead alternative

In search of ways to improve the accuracy and lethality of bullets, gunsmiths have repeatedly turned to the idea of ​​​​using arrow-shaped bullets - small feathered “arrows”. One of these ammunition was the .330 Amron Aerojet cartridge (8.38x69 mm). It was developed in 1969 and, unlike most similar ammunition, carries not one “arrow”, but 3 or 4. With a speed of each arrow-shaped bullet of more than 1400 m/s, they reached a target at a distance of 500 m almost instantly, which made it easier to hit moving targets and did not require any adjustments for range, wind, etc. The lethality and armor penetration of the “arrows” turned out to be high, but the shortcomings of the arrow-shaped bullets were also revealed, which could not be eliminated.

The 8.38x69 mm cartridge had several bullet options: solid all-metal, sub-caliber with one or more “arrows”

Thus, during tests within the framework of the American SPIW project, low shooting accuracy was noted, especially for cartridges with several arrow-shaped bullets. In addition, small fragments of the cartridges holding the bullets in the casing posed a potential threat to people near the shooter. Also, the “arrows” were good at making holes in metal, but quickly got stuck in sand and wood, and this, by the way, is the main material for light field fortifications.

So while arrow-shaped bullets are not truly widespread, but gunsmiths believe that due to the development of personal armor protection, “arrows” will sooner or later become the main type of bullets for military small arms.

The .30-06 caliber bullet (7.62×63 mm) Marsh Coulter Flare is designed... for illuminating the area. Yes, in such a small caliber in 1960 they made a real illuminating ammunition, which was fired from a conventional rifle to a height of up to 150 m and illuminated for several seconds surrounding area. The cartridge was loaded with a small charge of black powder, which ignited the bullet's cord when the firing pins were fired. Some time after the bullet left the barrel, the retarding cord ignited a small charge of gunpowder, bursting the brass cup and igniting the cloud of mixture.

An illuminating rifle bullet is now needed, perhaps, only by hunters and recreational shooting enthusiasts

Illumination bullets were not very effective, since they contained too little pyrotechnic composition and did not produce very much light, but they could be used in large quantities. Marsh Coulter Flare bullets were sold in the 1970s, but their time has passed - much more effective means of illuminating the battlefield, as well as night vision devices, have appeared. Nevertheless, such cartridges could still be useful to hunters, tourists and other people who, with the help of a lighting cartridge, could, for example, send a distress signal, especially in the dark.

S&W Self-Lubricating Bullet

In 1893, S&W received a patent for a bullet that had a built-in oiler, that is, as it passed along the rifling, it lubricated the barrel of the weapon. According to the developers, this was supposed to increase the initial speed of the bullet and reduce barrel wear.

Bullet with built-in oiler. The photo shows a .44 caliber cartridge S&W Russian

Inside the bullet there was a tube with four branches. The tubes were filled with lubricant, which during the firing process was squeezed onto the side walls of the bullet through 4 holes in its shell. Theoretically, an additional beneficial effect of this design is also an increase in AP due to the fact that the hollow bullet is deformed at the moment of impact.

The built-in oiler apparently did not provide any particular advantages, so the bullet did not go into mass production. Well, today there are simpler and effective ways reduce friction between the bullet and the barrel wall.

Training plastic

Plastic cartridges (with plastic case and bullet) in last years have gained particular popularity. They are available in a variety of popular calibers, including 7.62x51mm and Mosin 7.62x54mm.

Plastic bullets come in a variety of designs, but they all have a reduced powder charge.

Cheap plastic cartridges are used by the military for training, but they are also in demand on the civilian market for recreational shooting. Such cartridges are loaded with a small charge of gunpowder, and the plastic bullet does not penetrate even an ordinary PET bottle, which makes shooting relatively safe. If you follow the rules for handling weapons, the risk of accidentally injuring someone beyond the line of sight, at a distance of several hundred meters, is practically zero, although there are also more “armor-piercing” plastic bullets coated with a metal jacket, as well as plastic tracer bullets with a small steel core inside .

Thanks to plastic cartridges, even children can shoot from “adult” calibers - the recoil of the same 7.62x54 mm in the plastic version is subjectively 2-3 times weaker than that of a conventional all-metal cartridge. Plastic training cartridges have only one significant drawback - low accuracy of fire. With plastic bullets it is difficult to assemble a group smaller than 10 cm at a distance of 50 m, so they are only suitable for recreational shooting at a distance of up to 100 m. Also, when using plastic cartridges in most self-loading rifles and pistols, you will have to fire the next cartridge manually - automatic due to the reduced weight of gunpowder and low bullet mass does not work reliably.

Cartridges of non-classical layout.

Round cartridge.

In August 1958, David Dardick patented a “Dardick open chamber gun” - a kind of hybrid of a pistol and a revolver and a so-called tround cartridge.
It was made of aluminum and then of high-strength plastic, and was initially produced in calibers .38 (9 mm), .30 (7.62 mm) and .22 (5.56 mm), with characteristics corresponding to the 38 SW Special cartridges , .32 SW long and .22 LR, and the dimensions of the plastic sleeves were the same for all calibers.

Round cartridges could be reloaded repeatedly using standard pistol primers with a diameter of 5 mm, and bullets of the appropriate caliber. The case had internal annular grooves that limited the seating of the bullet and provided boost pressure sufficient for complete combustion of the gunpowder.

In 1965, Frankford Arsenal design engineer Andrew Grundy patented a very unusually shaped cartridge. Key element The new concept was the abandonment of the classic case shape and its replacement with a plastic capsule containing a powder charge on the side of the bullet.

This unorthodox configuration of the cartridge made it possible to reduce its dimensions and implement a frontal combustion scheme for the powder charge, which made it possible to reduce the erosive effect of powder gases on the barrel bore. Also, in theory, reducing the length of the weapon's chamber reduces the range of the moving parts of the weapon, which allows for a higher rate of fire at a lower speed of movement of the moving parts, reducing shock loads and the weight of the weapon.

From 1965 to 1983, U-shaped cartridges were tested in various calibers: 4.32 mm, 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm and 30 mm, but were never found for its military or civilian use.

AIWS cartridge.

In 1970, Maury Goldin, a designer at the American Hughes Tool Company, patented a cartridge design with a parallelepiped-shaped three-chamber case and a boltless weapon system.

The bullet in the AIWS cartridge is located in the central chamber, and the powder charge is placed in two side chambers. This cartridge configuration allowed for 54% more ammunition to be stored in a given volume compared to conventionally designed cartridges of the same caliber, and also provided significant weight savings that were comparable to the benefits provided by caseless ammunition. At the same time, the plastic sleeve provided the necessary obturation of powder gases, protection of the propellant charge and capsule composition from exposure environment. The rectangular profile of the cartridge case made it possible to develop a high-capacity magazine and a simpler system, compared to conventional weapons, for feeding cartridges into the chamber and extracting the spent cartridge case.

Perforated cartridges

Two types of ammunition fall into this improvised category.

The first one is Comp Bullet.

In this pool, several interconnected holes are made using high-precision machines.
When firing a Comp bullet, powder gases pass through holes in the walls of the bullet and reduce friction on the rifling of the barrel. According to the developers, the holes also act as a kind of muzzle brake and reduce the recoil of the shot.

The second ammunition is 7x56 Broadway Trust with a perforated case.

In 1941, Sir Dennis Burney proposed to the British Minister of Supply a project to develop portable recoilless anti-tank rifles. Founded with government support joint venture Broad Trust Company (BTC).

At first, developments were carried out in the field of designing ammunition with a caliber ranging from 20-88 mm. The use of “perforated” cartridges was supposed to reduce the recoil of a shot to levels allowing hand-held shooting and to develop a sufficiently powerful and lightweight anti-tank gun. Gradually, the focus of development shifted to the design of smaller caliber guns.

Silent cartridges

7.62x63 Snake - one of the special cartridges for silent flameless shooting with cut-off of powder gases.

In the 50s, at NII-61, by order of the KGB of the USSR, work began on the creation of a special silent two-shot pistol and cartridges for it. The complex consisted of a special C4 pistol and a silent PZ cartridge (Snake cartridge).

The 7.62-mm PZ cartridge consists of a steel sleeve with a slight taper, inside of which are located: a KVM-3 igniter primer in a sleeve with a movable firing pin (screwed into the bottom of the sleeve and ensuring obturation of the powder gases from the side of the capsule), a powder charge of grade P -125 and piston-pusher. The cartridge is loaded with a 7.62 mm PS bullet.

When fired, the cartridge's movable firing pin pierces the primer, which ignites the powder charge. The pressure of the powder gases drives the piston, which pushes the bullet into the barrel, giving it an initial flight speed of 170 m/s. When the uppermost position is reached, the piston rests against the narrowing of the walls of the cartridge case and stops, ensuring that the powder gases are locked inside the cartridge case and the shot is silent. The length of the spent cartridge case with the piston emerging from it is 82.3 mm.

Training and practice cartridges

Wooden cartridge 6.5x55 mm Mauser. Of course, it is not capable of hitting the target - the bullet is completely destroyed when exiting the weapon's barrel.

Modern training cartridges are often made of plastic.
Training cartridge L14A1 caliber 7.62x54 mm with a tracer bullet. In this cartridge, only the base of the cartridge case and the internal element of the bullet are made of metal.

Plastic cartridges are used by the military in training exercises; they are also in demand on the civilian market for recreational shooting. They are equipped with a small charge of gunpowder, which makes shooting relatively safe.

The only significant drawback of this ammunition is that in most self-loading rifles and pistols you will have to chamber the next cartridge manually—automation does not work reliably due to the reduced weight of gunpowder and the low mass of the bullet.

G2R RIP - new expansive.

Hollow bullets aren't all that unusual in and of themselves, but G2 Research's latest design certainly earns its place in this piece.

According to press releases, the small teeth on this bullet create a turbulent flow in flight, helping to stabilize the bullet and make it more accurate, and upon impact, they cut through clothing, glass, drywall and even sheet metal like a hole saw, allowing the bottom of the bullet to more confidently hit the target.

G2R RIP is a lead-free, all-copper bullet, weighing 96 grams, divided into 9 triangular teeth. The initial bullet speed is 386 m/s. Muzzle energy - 660 J.

The G2 Research company in the near future expects to begin producing .380 ACP, .357 SIG, .40, .45ACP cartridges, as well as rifle cartridges equipped with such a bullet.

The cost of such cartridges will reportedly be about $2 each. In addition to the high cost, the disadvantages of this ammunition include the potential for premature opening of the teeth.

Guided bullet

Product of Sandia National Laboratories, demonstrated to the general public in November 2011.

At the tip of the bullet is a tiny optical sensor that detects a laser beam that illuminates a distant target. A microcomputer processes the signal from the sensor and deflects miniature stabilizer planes, changing the flight path. The bullet is capable of independently correcting its flight 30 times per second throughout the entire flight time at speeds of more than 600 m/s. In flight, the bullet is stabilized not by rotation, but by aerodynamic planes, which makes it possible to more accurately orient the optical sensor and control the flight.

Unfortunately, new information There is no information about this development at the moment.

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In our reviews, we often touch on the topic of choosing or servicing decommissioned weapons, but until now we have avoided consumables for them. Namely, cartridges.

The vast majority of owners of SO weapons shoot from them. Much or little is a separate question. In any case, the owner purchases cartridges.

From a legislative point of view, they can be divided into 2 parts: those that an adult Russian citizen can purchase freely and those that a Russian citizen can purchase with a permit to store and carry rifled hunting weapons of the appropriate caliber.

As of the beginning of 2017, only three calibers belong to the first type: 10 TK, 10x31 and 10x24.

The first two cartridges are produced only by Izhevsk Tekhkrim.

10x24 is produced by Nizhny Novgorod Fortuna, but these cartridges are still difficult to find on sale. 10 TK and 10x24 have standard cartridge sizes of 9x18 Makarov and 9x19 Luger. Accordingly, these cartridges are used in cooled weapons for the last two calibers. The longer 10x31 cartridge is used in cooled weapons that previously used 7.62x25 TT ammunition.

Any light-sound cartridge consists of an igniter primer and a powder (or imitation) charge, combined in a steel sleeve.

For 10 TK and 10x31, a trimmed cartridge case from a 5.45x39 cartridge for a Kalashnikov assault rifle is used. Both cartridges have a star twist.

The 10x24 cartridge has a rolled top of the case with a plastic plug that opens along a cross-shaped seam when fired. For self-loading and automatic weapons, in terms of feeding from the magazine into the chamber, a star-rolled cartridge is more optimal. However, the manufacturer is not always able to achieve a uniform rolling angle, just as not all magazines are able to flawlessly feed a cartridge into the chamber. As for the 10x24 cartridge, there are no statistics on it yet.

The second type is also represented by four calibers: 9 mm Luger, 5.45x39, 7.62x39 and 7.62x54, but there are noticeably more manufacturers. In Russia, these are three cartridge giants: Barnaul Cartridge Plant (BPZ), Novosibirsk Cartridge Plant (NPZ) and Tula Cartridge Plant (TPZ). As follows from the name of the calibers, these are ordinary “blank” cartridges for cartridges in service with the RF Armed Forces and used as hunting and sporting cartridges in civilian weapons. All 4 gauges are star-rolled.

To date, only one variant of the CX weapon has been created under the 9 Luger - the Nagant revolver produced by TOZ.

Automatic and rifle cartridges do not have any problems with feeding from the magazine into the chamber due to the length of the cartridge and the obvious tapering of the cartridge case.

The main feature of the second type is the possibility of purchasing them only with a permit for hunting weapons of these calibers.

It is quite possible that in the near future there may be certificates for these cartridges, which will also indicate the possibility of their use in decommissioned quenched weapons. In this case, these cartridges can be purchased freely, but for now they are sold by various online stores at a price 4-5 times higher than the retail price in online stores.

The reason lies in the possibility of receiving a fine, since the sale, as well as the storage of blank cartridges of the specified calibers, will be a violation of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation in the field of circulation of civilian weapons and ammunition for them. The reason is not only the absence of a bullet. In fact, blank cartridges use gunpowder for smooth-bore weapons, or a composition different from the slow-burning gunpowder of a rifled cartridge. The use of fast-burning gunpowder or powder mixture is due, among other things, to the fact that almost all cooled weapons operate on the principle of blowback reloading.

In the absence of a bullet (throwable equipment), it is impossible to implement automatic operation according to the principle of a short barrel stroke (TT or PM), but in the case of a gas engine it is quite feasible.

In any case, the blank cartridge is required to create a sharp surge in pressure necessary to initialize the operation of the automation. What else should you know about cartridges for cooled weapons? Firstly, they are not airtight. The primer socket is not sealed (this applies to almost all cartridges for the civilian market) and the varnished “star” rolling is also not sealed. It will be difficult for moisture to overcome these obstacles, unless, of course, the cartridges are drowned in water. However, having a high surface tension, oil will easily penetrate inside and ruin the powder charge.

Therefore, you should not lubricate the cartridges under any circumstances, otherwise this is an almost 100% guarantee of their failure.

You should also not disassemble the cartridges for the purpose of modifying them - this can lead to the destruction of the cooled weapon and cause injury to the owner.

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In early models of weapons loaded from the muzzle, a measured charge of gunpowder was poured into the barrel, where it was compacted with a wad of leather, felt or tow using a cleaning rod; then a spherical lead bullet was rolled into the barrel and secured with another wad to prevent its uncontrolled movement in the barrel before the shot. After this it was necessary to pour seed gunpowder from the flask on shelf, which had pilot hole, reported from breech- the rear part of the barrel cavity, in which the powder charge was located - and only then was the weapon ready to fire.

A certain increase in the rate of fire was achieved thanks to the invention of a cartridge in the 17th century - a kit for firing a shot. At the powder factory, dosed charges of gunpowder were packaged in paper bags, to which bullets were attached. When loading, the shooter tore the paper shell of the cartridge, poured gunpowder into the barrel of the weapon, used the paper as a wad and sent a bullet on top. Regular Russian military formations - the Streltsy - wore over their shoulders a “berendeyka” (the prototype of a modern cartridge belt) - a sling with wooden cases hanging on cords, in which these packaged charges and bullets were stored. Artillery charges were also packaged in paper or linen caps (from the French. cartouche- “cartridge”).

The appearance of the cartridge did not free the shooter from the need to add primer to the shelf, which took up a significant portion of the loading time. Therefore, in particular, before the invention of the unitary cartridge, the appearance of a real rapid-fire weapon was fundamentally impossible. The shooter was relieved of this need when the Englishman Joseph Egg invented the percussion cap in 1818. The capsule, which was a copper cap with a flammable initiating mixture inside, was placed separately on the fire tube and, when fired, was broken by the blow of the trigger. Paper pistons were also used.

Draize's cartridge

Experience soon showed that paper cartridges deteriorate from dampness - the impact composition cakes are separated from the damp bottoms, which was the cause of misfires, so in Russia already in the city it was decided to remake 6-line rifles according to the Krnka system, adopting for better sealing and simplifying the device The lock has a unitary cartridge with a metal sleeve.

The purpose of unitary metal cartridges is to achieve a high rate of fire and eliminate the breakthrough of powder gases when fired. The metal sleeve of the cartridge must, as it expands, fit tightly against the walls of the chamber and the front cut of the bolt in order to eliminate the breakthrough of gases through the bolt, and after the shot it must return to its original dimensions so that it can be removed from the barrel without difficulty.

These requirements are met in two ways, which is why metal cartridges are divided into two categories: cartridges with solid-drawn sleeves, and with composite ones.

In seamless sleeves, the side walls and bottom form one whole; they are obtained from a circle of sheet brass by successive drawings.

Composite cases are rolled from thin sheet brass in one or more turns; The separate bottom is firmly winged with the side walls. When fired, the cartridge case unfolds, and its edges fit tightly to the chamber; after a shot it is easily removed, even with a large gap of several points, while seamless cartridges operate properly only with a small (no more than ½ point) gap. After giving the sleeve the proper shape, its inside walls are coated with varnish to protect the metal from oxidation, then a capsule is inserted into the bottom of the sleeve.

Cartridges, depending on the location of the impact composition, are divided into: rim-ignition, when the impact composition is pressed inside the sleeve along the circumference of its bottom, and central fire, when the impact composition is enclosed in a primer and installed in the center of the bottom; all composite cartridges are center fire. In a rimfire cartridge, cartridges can often rupture, since when the impact composition ignites, the bottom of the cartridge case, where the metal is weakened by a double bend, is subjected to the greatest gas pressure.

Cartridge designations

Currently, in international practice, the nomenclature for designating cartridges developed by C.I.P. is more or less generally accepted. ( Commission Internationale Permanente pour l’Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives- Permanent International Commission for the Testing of Hand Firearms).

Cartridge designation according to the C.I.P. method. includes the caliber, length of the sleeve and its type measured in mm (the presence or absence of a protruding rim).

So, the designation 7.62×54 mm R means a 7.62 mm (diameter, caliber) cartridge with a case length of 54 mm, case type - welted, with a protruding rim (R - Rim, Rand). 6.35x16mm SR- 6.35 mm cartridge with a sleeve 16 mm long, having an annular groove and a protruding rim.

However, these designations are not always used, for example, in the USA, inch designations for cartridges are still popular (the above-mentioned cartridges there would be designated as .30 Russian and .25 ACP, respectively), and even C.I.P. itself. often uses commercial cartridge designations in his publications, for example, 505 Mag. Gibbs instead of 12.8x80 mm.

Classification of cartridges

Various pistol cartridges (3-12). 3 - .454 Casull, 4 - .45 Winchester Magnum, 5 - .44 Remington Magnum, 6 - .357 Magnum, 7 - .38 Special, 8 - .45 ACP, 9 - .38 Super, 10 - 9 mm Luger, 11 - .32 ACP, 12 - .22 LR. For comparison, a 12-gauge rifle cartridge with a 76 mm long sleeve (1) and an AA element (2) are shown.

1. By purpose
   1. Combat
   2. Signal (noise)
   3. Singles
   4. Educational
   5. Special (construction)
2. By type of weapon:
   1. Rifle
   2. Machine gun
   3. Revolving
3. By projectile type:
   1. With an ordinary bullet
   2. With a bullet of increased penetration
   3. With reduced bullet speed
   4. With an armor-piercing bullet
   5. With a tracer bullet
   6. With an armor-piercing incendiary bullet
   7. With armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullet
   8. With an instant incendiary bullet
   9. With an expansive bullet
   10. Shotguns
   11. With a chemical projectile (“gas”)
   12. With a traumatic projectile (rubber, plastic bullet or shot, with salt, etc.)
   13. With a special projectile (construction dowel, etc.)
4. By ignition method:
   1. Central fire
   2. Rim (side) ignition
   3. Hairpin
   4. Electrically ignited
5. By type of propellant charge:
   1. Powder
   2. Pyroliquid
6. According to the sleeve design:
   1. Sleeve with rim
   2. Sleeve with ring groove
   3. Sleeve with groove and flange
   4. Sleeve without groove and edge
   5. Caseless

The generally accepted designation of modern ammunition used in rifled weapons consists of two numbers, the first of which indicates the distance between the opposite fields of the barrel rifling (weapon caliber) in millimeters, the second - the length of the cartridge case in millimeters, for example, 7.62 × 63 mm. This designation reflects, in particular, the fact that modern breech-loading weapons are manufactured for a specific cartridge, and not vice versa.

Types of cartridges

The main group of cartridges. Designed to destroy manpower and lightly armored vehicles when firing from rifles, machine guns, pistols, machine guns and other weapons.

Basically, these are so-called central fire cartridges, that is, they have an igniter primer as an independent unit located in the center of the end of the cartridge case. Live ammunition uses bullets various actions(regular, armor-piercing, incendiary, etc.), but they all have a shell made of hard metal and usually a solid core.

Pistol cartridges

Revolver cartridges

Lefoshe revolver and pin cartridge for it

The first revolvers were muzzle-loading, that is, gunpowder and a bullet were loaded into each chamber. Usually the revolver was supplemented with a lever, which made it possible to firmly send the bullet into the chamber. The lock was a capsule lock.

In 1980, one of the deputies of the German Bundestag made a request to the German Minister of Defense about the excessive lethal effect and “inhumanity” of 5.45 mm bullets for the AK-74 assault rifle. used in Afghanistan. To this the answer was given that the German Minister of Defense has no complaints about the Soviet 5.45 mm cartridge in this regard. In 1981, the Soviet government received a similar request from the International Red Cross and the UN. Based on the results of extensive comparative testing, these organizations were presented with data demonstrating that lethal action 5.45 mm bullets are somewhat inferior to the bullets of the 5.56 mm M193 cartridge. Numerous symposiums on the damaging effects of small arms bullets have not confirmed the validity of the demands to ban the 5.56-mm M193 cartridge on the basis of its “inhumanity.”

Bullets of domestic cartridges, including 7.62 mm rifle and machine gun calibers 5.45 and 7.62 mm mod. 1943, are not destroyed even when fired point-blank at a distance of 3 m. Foreign bullets of the 5.56 mm M193 cartridge, 5.56 × 45 mm NATO M109 cartridge, 7.62 × 51 mm NATO cartridge produced in Germany and Sweden are destroyed at fragments when fired at a distance of up to 100 m or even more, severely damaging tissue. Of course, in in some cases The destruction of bullets is also possible when firing 5.45 mm cartridges when fired at point-blank range or if the bullet hits a bone. But this is an inevitable tribute to the shot power required for a combat cartridge.

It should be borne in mind that the similar impact of 7.62 mm bullets is significantly less than that of 5.45/5.56 mm bullets: the severity of the wound is determined not so much by the contact speed of the bullet, but by the amount of kinetic energy transferred to the tissues and the moment of maximum transfer this energy along the wound channel.

Hunting cartridges

22LR right

Hunting cartridges are intended primarily for shooting from long-barreled rifled or smooth-bore weapons. Only the .22LR cartridge can be used for shooting from small-caliber pistols.

Hunting cartridges for rifled weapons (except 22LR)

Designed for hunting animals with rifles and carbines. They have a cartridge case with a central firing primer. The bullet consists of a hard shell and a soft lead core. The use of steel, armor-piercing cores, as well as bullets of various effects (explosive, tracer) in hunting cartridges is not permitted by law.

The most common cartridges are 7.62x54R (military classification 7.62x53), .308Win (7.62x51), 9x53R, 9.3x64, and many other calibers are also used.

Hunting cartridges .22LR (.22 Long Rifle)

Blank cartridges

Gas cartridges

Gas cartridges are used for self-defense when shooting from gas pistols or revolvers.

The purpose of gas cartridges is to release a crystalline active substance at a distance of up to 3 m when fired.

Gas cartridges are filled with crystalline powder (crystalline active substance) of chlorobenzalmalondinitrile (CS) or chloroacetophenone (CN). Therefore, on the bottom of the cases, in addition to the caliber marking, the manufacturer is indicated (SM, HS, Geco, Wadie, Sax, RWS), as well as the active substance used (CS) or (CN).

The barrels of gas cartridge cases are filled with paraffin (.22 lang, 6mm); roll up in the form of a “star” (9 mm, .45 short); or have a plastic plug (8 mm, 9 mm PA, .35). When fired, the plastic plugs do not fly out along with the active substance, but are divided into 4 petals and remain inside the barrel. Plastic plugs in gas cartridges have the following colors: yellow if the cartridge is equipped with CS, and blue, violet, white (depending on the concentration) if the cartridge is equipped with CN.

Traumatic cartridges

Cartridges with rubber bullets

These are cartridges in which not an ordinary metal bullet is used as a striking element, but a traumatic one, most often a rubber bullet. Sometimes rubber bullets with a steel core are used to increase flight range and enhance the traumatic effect. At the moment, in Russia there are 2 systems of traumatic ammunition: with electric ignition and classic impact ignition. Cartridges with electric ignition are used in gun systems and have greater mass due to the steel core. Cartridges with classic impact ignition are divided into single- and double-bullet. The bullet is a rubber ball without a core, which is lightweight. The impact of traumatic weapon bullets depends on their type.

Caseless cartridges

In addition to hand-held small arms, caseless ammunition is successfully used in artillery, where first a shell and then caps with gunpowder are separately loaded into a gun. This is called "separate cap loading".

Silent cartridges

Cartridges with a thick-walled sleeve and a plug-wad that ensures cut-off of powder gases. At the moment of firing, the plug-wad moves forward under the influence of powder gases, pushes out the bullet, after which it rests against the narrowing and does not come out of the cartridge case, locking the powder gases in it and ensuring noiselessness. The bullet in such cartridges is subsonic, which ensures the absence of ballistic pop.

Cartridges for powder tools

Cartridges for gunpowder tools are used as a source of energy to perform any work. The most widely used construction guns are used for driving steel dowel-nails into steel, concrete, and brick when attaching metal structures to them. In Russia and the world, the most common calibers of mounting cartridges are 6.8/11 and 6.8/18.

Mounting cartridges 6.8/11 and 6.8/18 are rimfire cartridges, they consist of a cartridge case with a pressed percussion compound, gunpowder is poured into the cartridge case, and the barrel neck is compressed with an asterisk like blank cartridges. Strictly speaking, a mounting cartridge can be classified as a blank, but the charge of gunpowder in mounting cartridges is proportional to the intended work, unlike blank charges.

The cartridges are available in several power levels, the most powerful are black (or purple), followed by red, blue, green, yellow and white.

Requirements for cartridges

The main requirements for cartridges are safety in handling; for live cartridges - also high reliability of operation.

To ensure the safety and standardization of weapons and ammunition, a Permanent International Commission, sitting in Brussels, which Russia also joined. The commission’s requirements apply to all civilian weapons and are enshrined in law in the Russian Federation. Most military weapons also de facto meet these requirements. The so-called PMC (or C.I.P.) tables contain requirements for maximum sizes cartridges and minimum sizes chambers for each type of cartridge, as well as the maximum pressure of powder gases and the method of measuring them. Consumer qualities are not regulated.

In addition, cartridges must meet the following requirements:

• For self-loading weapons, the minimum value is highest pressure powder gases must not be lower than a level sufficient for the operation of the reloading mechanism.

• Accuracy, that is, dispersion when firing from a rigidly fixed weapon, in a series of shots should not exceed a certain radius.

• Accuracy of powder weight. The dispersion of the mass and physico-chemical characteristics of the powder charge causes fluctuations in the maximum pressure of the powder gases from shot to shot, which increases the dispersion of bullets and can also lead to weapon failures when firing.

• The variation in the characteristics of ignition devices also leads to fluctuations in the maximum pressure of powder gases, and sometimes to misfires.

• Armor penetration (only for live ammunition). It is determined by shooting at an armor plate of a certain thickness, fixed at a certain distance, sometimes at an angle. Out of a series of shots, 80 or 90% of the cores should leave through holes.

The combat qualities of a weapon - primarily its effectiveness and, to a large extent, maneuverability - are determined by the ballistic characteristics of the selected cartridge. The design of the cartridge has a significant impact on the reliability of the weapon. Increasing bullet rigidity has a negative effect on barrel survivability.

The accuracy of the manufacturing of cartridge elements affects the effectiveness and reliability of the weapon. As a rule, tolerances on the dimensions of cartridges or bullets are specified with an accuracy of up to 0.01 mm. The inspection tool has an accuracy of 0.001 mm. The functional reliability of the weapon's locking mechanisms, impact mechanisms, and the safety of handling ammunition largely depend on the precision of the manufacturing of the cartridge case and its strength.

Wikipedia - This term has other meanings, see MPS (meanings). MPS cartridge for underwater shooting, created on the basis of the cartridge case of the standard 7N6 5.45×39 mm cartridge, equipped with a needle-shaped (arrow-shaped) bullet 120 mm long, and specially ... ... Wikipedia

This term has other meanings, see Silencer (meanings). Silencers on various types small arms. USP, Beretta, SIG P220, Colt M4A1, UZI Silencer (weapon) (Silent, flameless shooting device... Wikipedia

Purpose, general device and classification of live ammunition for small arms, armored personnel carriers (IFVs), rounds for grenade launchers

1. Purpose, general design and classification of live ammunition for 5.45 mm AK74 (AKS74, AKS74U) and 5.45 mm RPK74 (RPKS74)

Automatic cartridge 5.45x39 mm - developed in 1974 specifically for the AK74 assault rifle, which replaced the AKM, which used 7.62x39 mm cartridges, in response to the research and development of small-caliber American 5.56x45 mm ammunition.

By design, the cartridge is a cartridge with a full-shell bullet. The bullet contains a mild steel core covered with a copper alloy jacket.
Reducing the mass and dimensions of the cartridge compared to the 7.62 mm caliber significantly increased the initial velocity and flat trajectory of the bullet, which increased the direct shot range and reduced the recoil impulse. Also, reducing the mass of ammunition made it possible to increase the total wearable ammunition without increasing the total weight of the shooter's loadout.

Nomenclature 5.45x39 cartridges

	Bullet (cartridge)	Index GRAU	Distinctive features
	Steel core bullet (PS)		Bullet with a bimetallic jacket, lead jacket and a 4-mm cavity in the head, weight 3.30-3.55 g. Bullet without painting
			Modernized. Bullet without coloring
			With heat-strengthened, pointed steel core. Bullet without coloring
	Tracer bullet (T)		Green bullet top
			Modernized. Green bullet top
	Reduced velocity bullet (US)		For firing weapons with silent shooting devices. Bullet weight 5.15 g. The top of the bullet is black with a green rim
	High penetration bullet (PP)		A bullet with a stamped core made of special grades of steel, weighing 3.49-3.74 g, penetrates a 16-mm steel plate at a distance of 100 meters, elements of body armor made of titanium alloys at a distance of 200 meters. Dark purple sealant varnish
			A modernized cartridge with a 7N10 bullet of increased power, the main difference of which is that the cavity in the nose is filled with lead. Dark purple sealant varnish
	Armor-piercing bullet (BP)		With a high carbon steel pointed core bullet. Bullet weight 3.68 g. Red sealant varnish, bullet head painted black
			With an armor-piercing core (VK-4 alloy) Bullet weight 3.93-4.27 g. Red sealant varnish, bullet head painted black
	Cartridge with enhanced charge		The entire bullet is completely black
	High pressure cartridge		The entire bullet is yellow
	Model cartridge		For comparative verification of the ballistic characteristics of cartridges stored in warehouses. Corresponds to the standard cartridge (7N6), but is manufactured with increased accuracy. The bullet head is painted white
	Blank cartridge		With a plastic bullet white weighing 0.22-0.26 g. Has a charge of special fast-burning gunpowder weighing 0.24 g
			The edges of the sleeve are bent inward in the shape of a star
	Training cartridge		No charge. It is distinguished by the presence of four longitudinal stampings on the cartridge case and a double ring crimp of the bullet in the cartridge case neck

Capping of 5.45 mm cartridges is carried out in wooden boxes. Two hermetically sealed metal boxes of 1080 rounds each are placed in the box; cartridges in boxes are packed in cardboard packs of 30 pieces. In total, the box holds 2160 rounds.

There is a green stripe on the side walls of the boxes in which cartridges with tracer bullets are sealed. Each box contains a knife for opening the box.

2. Purpose, general design and classification of live ammunition for 7.62 mm sniper rifle Dragunov (SVD) and Kalashnikov PK machine gun (PKM, PKS, PKMS, PKB, PKMB AND PKT)

The 7.62x54 cartridge was adopted by the Russian Army in 1891.

At first the cartridge was produced with a nickel-copper plated bullet with a rounded head. The cartridge had a brass bottle case and was filled with smokeless powder. In 1908 they switched to a pointed bullet (the first modernization). The cartridge received the designation M 91/08.

In 1930, the brass sleeve was replaced by a steel case clad with tombac or brass (second modernization), and the bullet jacket also became steel and clad with tombak. The 1908/30 cartridge is still used today as ammunition for certain models of machine guns.

In the post-war period, the third modernization of the cartridge was carried out. In 1954, a cartridge with a light bullet with a steel core “LPS” appeared, and in 1974 a cartridge with a T-46M bullet appeared.

Later, the fourth modernization of the cartridge was carried out, during which the cartridge began to be equipped only with bullets with heat-strengthened cores: in 1988 - with the ordinary PS bullet, in 1999 - with the BT armor-piercing tracer bullet. Currently, the cartridge is produced in a varnished steel case.

Range of 7.62x54 cartridges

	Bullet (cartridge)	Index GRAU	Distinctive features
	Cartridge with an ordinary bullet (LPS)		Cartridge with a light bullet with a steel core and a bimetallic sleeve. The bullet consists of a tombac-clad steel shell, a lead jacket and a steel core. Head part pukli is painted silver. After 1970, this bullet has no nose coloring
	Sniper cartridge		For accurate shooting. The bullet has a lead core and no color on the nose
	Sniper cartridge with armor-piercing bullet		For accurate shooting. The bullet has a sharpened, hardened steel core. The sealant varnish is red, the bullet head is painted black
	Bullet with heat-strengthened core (PP)		A cartridge with a bullet of increased penetration and a bimetallic sleeve. The bullet design has an armor-piercing core made of hardened tool steel. The varnish on the capsule and at the junction of the bullet and the cartridge case is purple
	Sighting-incendiary bullet (PZ)		The bullet head and capsule are painted red
	Cartridge with tracer bullet (T-46, T-46M)		The bullet is designed for target designation and fire adjustment at distances up to 1000 m. It consists of a shell, a lead core and a cup with a pressed tracer compound. The bullet head is painted green
	Armor-piercing bullet (AP)		A cartridge with increased penetrating action, a bullet with an armor-piercing pointed core made of hardened tool steel. The sealant varnish is red, the bullet head is painted black
	Cartridge with armor-piercing tracer bullet (BT)		Cartridge with bimetallic sleeve. Bullet with a steel core. The head part of the shell is painted purple
	Cartridge with armor-piercing incendiary bullet (B-32)		The bullet is designed to ignite flammable liquids and to destroy enemy personnel located behind light armored cover at ranges of up to 500 m. It consists of a shell, a steel core, a lead jacket and an incendiary composition. The head part of the shell is painted black with a red belt
	Blank cartridge	57-X-323 (57-X-340)	For safe simulation of shooting during exercises, fireworks, filming
	Training cartridge		For safe training in loading and unloading small arms skills

The cartridges are sealed in wooden boxes. Two hermetically sealed metal boxes of 440 rounds each are placed in the box; cartridges in boxes are packed in packs of 20 cartridges. In total, the box holds 880 rounds. On packs of rifle sniper cartridges there is the inscription “Sniper”.

On the side walls of the boxes, in which cartridges with a steel core bullet, heavy, tracer and armor-piercing incendiary bullets are sealed, there are colored stripes corresponding to the color of the bullet heads. If the box contains light bullet or sniper rifle rounds, there are no colored stripes on the sides of the box.

3. Purpose, general design and classification of live ammunition for armored personnel carriers

14.5x114 mm - cartridge for heavy machine guns and anti-tank rifles. Developed in 1938 with the B-32 bullet, adopted for service in 1941, and released in the same year with the BS-41 bullet.

It was originally created for anti-tank rifles, but later (1944) it became ammunition for KPV and KPVT machine guns, used to arm armored personnel carriers, from BTR-60 to BTR-80, BRDM, in anti-aircraft machine gun mounts, etc.

Weapons using this cartridge: KPV/KPVT, PTRS-41, PTRD.

For firing, 14.5-mm cartridges with armor-piercing incendiary bullet B-32, armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullets BZT and BST, incendiary bullets ZP and instant-action incendiary bullets MDZ are used. 14.5 mm cartridges are intended to destroy lightly armored ground targets at ranges up to 1000 m, unarmored targets, enemy fire weapons and group targets up to 2000 m, as well as air targets at altitudes up to 1500 m and ranges up to 2000 m.

Cartridges with ZP and B-32 bullets can also be used to ignite flammable objects and fuel in tanks at ranges up to 1500 m.

In addition, cartridges with BZT, BST and ZP bullets are intended for fire adjustment and can be used for target designation. The tracing range of a BZT bullet is at least 2000 m, and that of BST and ZP bullets is at least 1500 m.

Cartridges with an MDZ bullet are intended to engage air targets at ranges up to 2000 m. The MDZ bullet, having high-explosive fragmentation and incendiary effects, ensures the defeat or damage of air targets by fragments and a blast wave, as well as the ignition of flammable liquids located in tanks with a wall thickness of 2 to 8 mm, at ranges up to 2000 m.

Notes: 1. 14.5 mm training cartridges are intended for training in loading, unloading and firing techniques, as well as for studying the operation of machine gun parts and mechanisms.

14.5 mm blank cartridges intended for simulated shooting

Nomenclature 14.5x114 cartridges

	Bullet (cartridge)	Index GRAU	Distinctive features
			Cartridge with armor-piercing incendiary bullet B-32 with a steel core and brass sleeve. The head of the bullet is painted black with a red belt.
			A cartridge with an armor-piercing incendiary bullet B-32 with a steel core and a steel sleeve. The head of the bullet is painted black with a red belt.
	14.5 BZT hl		A cartridge with an armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullet BZT-44 with a steel core and a brass sleeve. The head of the bullet is painted purple with a red belt
	14.5 BZT gs		A cartridge with an armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullet BZT-44 with a steel core and a steel sleeve. The head of the bullet is painted purple with a red belt
	14.5 BZT-M gs	57-BZT-561SM	A cartridge with an armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullet BZT-M with a steel core and a steel sleeve. The head of the bullet is painted purple with a red belt
			Cartridge with armor-piercing bullet BS-39 with a steel core
			Cartridge with armor-piercing incendiary bullet BS-41 with a metal-ceramic core (tungsten carbide)
			Cartridge with armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullet BST. The head of the bullet is painted purple and the rest is red
	14.5 MDZ gl		Cartridge with an instantaneous incendiary bullet and a brass sleeve. The bullet is painted red
	14.5 MDZ gs		A cartridge with an instantaneous incendiary bullet and a steel case. The bullet is painted red
			Cartridge with instantaneous incendiary bullet MDZ. The bullet is painted red
			Cartridge with an instant incendiary bullet MDZ-M. The bullet is painted red
			Cartridge with sighting-incendiary bullet ZP. The bullet head is painted red
			training cartridge
			blank cartridge
			Cartridge with armor-piercing incendiary chemical bullet BZH. As an experiment, to increase efficiency, a capsule with the irritating substance CAF (chloroacetophenone) was placed in the bottom part of the BS-41 core. After penetrating the armor, it created an unbearable concentration of tear gas in the space behind the armor and incapacitated the enemy personnel located there. A similar effect was used by the Germans for the 7.92 mm PzB-39 anti-tank rifle.

The cartridges are sealed in hermetically sealed galvanized boxes or welded iron boxes coated with paint.

The box cover contains the same information as the side wall of the box (except for the number of cartridges, which is not indicated on the box cover). Each box contains two boxes of ammunition.

On the side wall of the box and the lid of the box with cartridges there is a distinctive sign indicating the range of cartridges:
- 14.5 mm cartridges with B-32 bullet - red and black stripes;
- 14.5 mm cartridges with a BZT bullet - red and purple stripes;
- 14.5 mm cartridges with MDZ bullet - two red rings;
- 14.5 mm cartridges with BST bullet - two purple rings;
- 14.5 mm cartridges with ZP bullet - red stripe.

Ammo is safe when handled correctly.

Due to the presence of igniter caps and detonator caps and soft tombak tips in ZP and MDZ bullets, it is also prohibited to remove these cartridges from loaded belts by resting the bullets on metal or hardwood objects. Ammo boxes can be used as a stop for this purpose.

Cartridges must be protected from moisture, snow, dust and dirt. Wet and not properly cleaned cartridges may after some time become unsuitable for shooting.

Cartridges must be stored indoors; outdoors they should be protected from rain, sun, dust and dirt.

4. Purpose, general structure and classification of shots for the AGS-17 grenade launcher

There are three modifications of grenade launcher rounds. The original, now obsolete, VOG-17 with an instantaneous fuse. The subsequent modification - VOG-17M with a VMG-M instantaneous fuse - differs from the previous one in that the fuse is equipped with a self-destruct device. The self-destruct mechanism is activated when fired; its pyrotechnic retarder is designed for 25 seconds. The self-destructor does not depend on the fuse target sensor and neutralizes the grenade if the main fuse does not go off for any reason within a given time.

The body of the VOG-17 and VOG-17M grenades is thin-walled steel; a spiral of cut rectangular wire is inserted inside the body; a fragmentation jacket with semi-finished fragments is inserted. VOG-30 is a newly developed, improved type that has a more powerful fragmentation effect due to the use of a new method of manufacturing the body using the method of volumetric cold deformation with the formation of semi-finished fragments on its inner surface.

In addition, the VOG-30 uses autonomous sealing of the propellant charge in the cartridge case. There is no fragmentation jacket as a separate part in the VOG-30.

Fuses of all types of grenades are cocked at a distance of 10-60 meters from the muzzle of the grenade launcher, which provides additional safety when firing. The bodies of the VOG-17 and VOG-17M grenades are chemically blackened.

In addition to combat fragmentation rounds, there is also ammunition for auxiliary purposes. To teach how to operate a weapon, training shots that do not have any equipment are used. The grenade with the cartridge case in them is additionally fastened with an axial screw to prevent dismantling of the cartridge as a result of repeated manipulations during official handling. A blank bushing is screwed into the end of the grenade, repeating the shape and dimensions of the fuse. For training shooting, practical shots are used, designated VUS-17. They differ from combat ones only in that instead of an explosive charge, grenades are equipped with a pyrotechnic composition of orange smoke, indicating the location of the grenade's impact. The grenade does not have a fragmentation jacket, and the walls of the grenade body are thickened.

To distinguish practical grenades from combat grenades, in addition to the inscription VUS-17 (instead of VOG-17M) and the absence of the BB index, a red ring stripe is also applied to the VUS-17 housings. VUS-17 grenades come in two types - with two symmetrical holes on the body between the centering bulges, and without holes. The holes facilitate the escape of smoke and, in addition, can serve as an additional hallmark practical shot.

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GRENADE LAUNCH SHOTS FOR AGS-17

The infantry version of the AGS-17 grenade launcher was not supplied abroad and is currently in service with the former Soviet republics.