By: Raul Martinez

Components of a bullet  The Term “Bullet” is commonly used to describe the cartridge, when in fact, it actually only refers to the projectile.  The correct terminology for the cartridge components are bullet, case, primer, and propellant or gunpowder.  Each component each manufactured separately and then assembled into the cartridge.

How are bullets being made?  Bullets are made of a lead alloy, often containing tin and antimony. Some bullets have a thick jacket of copper over the out-side for improved performance.  Molten lead is poured into the mold, cooled quickly, and then extracted from the mold.  Cases are made of brass, steel, or aluminum, Brass is the most common.  The typical brass case is formed from annealed sheet by drawing with a multiple punch and die set.

Continued…  Shotgun shells are often made with a polypropylene.  Primers are made of a copper or brass alloy cup with a brass anvil and are filled with an impact-sensitive lead styphnate igniter.  The metal parts of the primer are usually nickel-plated to resist corrosion.  Propellants can vary from black gunpowder to a more modern smokeless powder which contains nitrocellulose.  The propellants are carefully formulated to ignite and create an expanding gas that accelerates the bullet down the barrel.

“Jacketed” Bullets  To improve bullet performance and accuracy, the “Jacketed” bullet was developed.  This is a family of bullets that use a substantial brass or copper outer shell, usually filled with lead by casting or cold forming.  Some examples are: FMJ (full metal jacket), JHP (jacketed hollow point), JSP (jacketed soft point).  This copper outer shell provides a close fit and improves accuracy.

The Modern Bullets  In the old days, lead was used because it melts at low, camp fire temperatures, and is easy to work with. The old cowboys and Civil war soldiers often made their own shells, melting the lead and pouring it into a special mold that they carried with them.  Modern guns use rifled barrels, with small grooves inside that make the bullet spin as it moves through the barrel. This stablizes the bullet, making the shot more accurate. Soft metal is used because it squeezes into the grooves so that the bullet spins. Lead has been used for years because of its weight, more modern bullets use a copper or other soft metal jacket over a lead core.  Armor-Piercing bullets made for military artillery are sometimes tipped with Depleted Uranium, one of the hardest metals known. The depleted uranium cuts through steel armor like it wasn't even there.

References  "How Products Are Made." How Ammunition Is Made. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov  "What Are Bullets Made Of?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 30 Nov