| This is a HUGE subject,more than what we can really get into here. There are rimfire,and centerfire cartridges. rimfire are usually .22 caliber. Caliber is the diameter of the bullet measured in hundredths of an inch. Centerfire have a primer in the middle of the back of the case,and are usually larger caliber,ie. ,45 cal. The firing pin strikes the primer,igniting it,which in turn ignites the powder,expanding the burning gasses thousands of times to create pressure to send the projectile,(bullet) down the bore. Next time we'll get into bullet design. Questions? |