"ANYTHING WORTH SHOOTING IS WORTH SHOOTING TWICE. AMMUNITION IS CHEAP - LIFE IS EXPENSIVE." - Drill Sergeant Joe B. Fricks: Rules For a Gunfight
You can have all the training in the world, the best weapon money can buy, and an empty ammo can and mags when it counts. Don't let that happen.
When it comes to purchasing ammo, really the only thing you need to think about is what kind.
"BRING FOUR TIMES THE AMMUNITION YOU THINK YOU COULD EVER NEED." - Drill Sergeant Joe B. Fricks: Rules For a Gunfight
A round is a single cartridge containing a projectile, propellant, primer, and casing.
THE 4 PARTS TO A MODERN BULLET:
- the bullet or projectile
- the case holds all parts together
- the propellant, or gunpowder
- the primer ignites the propellant
BASIC TERMS TO KNOW WHEN BUYING AMMO:
Ammunition comes in calibers that match the gun. The size of the gun's barrel determines this number.
Within a caliber there is also the weight of the bullet, or grain. The higher the grain number, the heavier the bullet. Combined with the amount of powder in the shell, these factors determine the velocity and energy of the projectile leaving the barrel.
The bullet or projectile type. How much damage or non-damage you want to do to your target is determined by the bullet. Hollow point, full metal jacket, soft point, lead, etc.
Casing material such as brass, steel, or aluminum.
WHY AMERICANS CALL IT A "SHOT OF WHISKEY" AND WE DO "SHOOTERS" OF HARD LIQUOR
There is a story going around, and it goes something like this:
When Cowboys came in off the range, they had no cash money and were waiting to get paid. The did however, want a drink. They also had ammunition by the handful. An enterprising bartender figured out that each shot was worth money, a few pennies at least. So, he determined the amount of hard liquor that could be paid for with a single shot. Thus the American idea of the "shot" was born.