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Small Arms Ammunition (Projectiles (Other Jacet-Forming Technology…
Small Arms Ammunition
Projectiles
Cup and Draw Operation - A cupping press is used to create a cavity. Whereas, when drawing, the sides of the casing are expanded under equal pressure while decreasing the diameter
Bullet Features - A coining die is used as one of the last steps to produce a shartp pointed full metal jacket
Jacketed Bullets - Gilding metal and commercial bronze are copper alloys used as a protective jacket over the fragile lead bullet. Steel can also be used as a jacket
Lead-Free Shot Pellets - Due to the toxicity of lead, manufacturers replaced lead with steel which in turn resulted in better firing results.
Current Manufacturing - More recently, the Bliemeister method is used to make pellets in which molten lead is passed through a fine strainer-like device and fall into a tub of water an inch below. Another method uses wires to mill out spheres
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Shot Pellets - Pellets were made by melting lead at the top of a 10 story tower, passed through a strainer-like device which created droplets. As the droplets fell, gravity would shape them and a tub of water would collect and cool the pellets
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Casting - Requires the use of a mold in which molten lead can be poured in and solidified. However, many aspects need to be taken into consideration. Like the temperature of the lead, mold temperature, pouring rates, alloy consistency, and cooling rates
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Components
Making Ball Propellants - After the shaping procedure, nitroglycerin is added to the ball propellant which are flattened out by roller pressing
Drying - To dry the granules without making them too bridle or too sticky, air is blown into a rotating drum. In addition, antistatic coating (like graphite) are added
Die Extrusion - A process used to produce different sizes and shapes of propellants. The rate of the extrusion as well as the speed of the cutters affect the outcome of the propellant
Deterrent Coatings and Stabilizers - Different amounts of deterrent affect the rate of energy release depending on the type of firearm they will be used for. The more the deterrent, the slower to rate of enegy release. In order to increase storage life, stabilizers are added.
Morphology - Propellants come in different shapes and sizes depending on the firearm they are made for. The size/shape affect the rate of eneregy release. Some include flake propellants, lamelle, cylindrical propellants, and ball powders
Testing, Grading, and Blending - A calorimeter bomb is used to test whether a batch of powder meets the standards of the refernce lot. If yes, then the batch is approved to be packaged and shipped out. If no, then the batch is blended with powders that have a higher or lower energy release rate
Propellants - Nitrocellulose is the most common propellant. It is typically mixed with nitroglycerin which contributes to the amount of energy released
Canister and Bulk - Canister propellants are used for smaller firearms which require specific amounts of powder depending on the cartridge. Bulk propellants are sold in bulk to manufacturers who determine the charge weight
Shotshell Assembly
Wadding - Once a wad is inserted, a sensor rod inspects whether or not it is present and properly placed/aligned.
Crimping - Folded crimps, which include a type of die, are used to compress the case mouth.
Powder - Powder is added via a drop tube that releases a premeasured amount of powder into the casing
Testing - Multiple tests are done of shotshell bullets include tests for patterning, stringent testing, and single slugs are tested for accuaracy
Priming and Loading - The primer must be completed after the casing manufacturing but before loading to ensure the separation of the primers and the propellant charging operation.
Handloading and Reloading - Handloading involves putting together the ammunition as opposed to buying a premade one. Whereas reloading involves reusing fired cartridge casings
Centerfire Ammunition
Bullet Seating - Special machines are used to prevent inverted projectiles and/or misalignment. An important step in the manufacturing process involves the use of a machine that ensure that bullets are not placed incorrectly along with the use of a seater die that ensures proper alignment going into the next step
Crimping - There are many benefits for criming cartridge casings; however, depending on the type of cartridge, a crimp will either be present or not.
Propellant Charging - Different manufacturing methods are used for specific centerfire charging methods.
Cleaning - Prior to any insepction, cartridge casings are cleaned in corn cob and a solvent in factory tumbers to ensure no misfires during the process
Priming - If a cartridge does not have a flashhole, they go through a pierce-and-prime machine which pokes a hole into it and adds the primer that is sealed with sealant
Primer Manufacture
Centerfire - Centerfire primers are more complex in that they are made up of more components which include the primer cup, anvil, and priming chemical/mix. The cups are produced via a cupping press. A blanking press is used to make the anvil. The priming mix is produced at an explosive chemical facility where they are also pressed while still moistened
Shotshell - The primers in a shotshell have a battery cup that provides support and additional strength to the primer. The anvils are typically larger than that of other firearms
Testing - Tests are performed on primer sensitivity by dropping a steel ball at various heights are recording the bumber of cases that fired
Assembly
Rimfire - Specific amounts of propellant need to be added otherwise, the firearm and/or shooter may be injured
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Crimping - Different methods of crimping are used to ensure that the casing is properly attached to the bullet
Balistic Testing
Velocity and Function Firing - Test tunnels contain equipment used to test a bullet's velocity that must not exceed the standards. Function firing is also used to test the bullets in more common firearms that are most likely to use the bullets being tested
Accuracy and Custom Specifications - Fixed mounted barrels are used to test for accuracy at specific distances. Customized specifications are also done which may include a slight alteration to the bullet's velocity
Pressure - A number of tests are done to ensure that the pressure created after firing do not exceed the standard. These tests include the Crusher test and the piezoelectric transducer test
Jones, J. Allan. “Module 05 :: Small Arms Ammunition” Firearm Examiner Training, projects.nfstc.org/firearms/.