The velocity of a projectile, or a shot charge, that is recorded by suitable instrumentation located a predetermined distance from the muzzle of a test barrel or a firearm.
Archives: Glossary
Glossary custom post type
INTERCHANGEABLE BARREL
Barrels which may be installed on a particular action without factory fitting.
INTERIOR BALLISTICS
The science of ballistics focusing on all thermochemical and physical events from primer ignition through projectile exit from the muzzle.
IRON FORE-END
On firearms with a one-piece stock, an intermediate part that holds the wood against the barrel and frame and retains the latch mechanism.
HAND TRAP
A small, hand-operated target throwing device.
HANDGUN
A firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
HANDLOADING
The process of manually assembling a cartridge from component parts (casing, primer, propellant and bullet or wads and shot).
HEAD
The end of the cartridge case in which the primer or priming is inserted and the surface upon which the headstamp identification is imprinted.
HEAD CLEARANCE
The distance between the head of a fully seated cartridge or shell and the face of the breech bolt when the action is in the closed position. Commonly confused with headspace.
HEADSPACE
The distance from the face of the closed breech of a firearm to the surface in the chamber on which the cartridge case seats. 1. BELT: A type of chamber design in which the cartridge seats in the chamber on an enlarged band ahead of the extractor groove of the cartridge body. 2. MOUTH: A type of chamber design in which the cartridge seats in the chamber on the mouth of the cartridge case. 3. RIMLESS: A type of chamber design in which the cartridge seats in the chamber on the shoulder of the cartridge case. 4. RIMMED: A type of chamber design in which the cartridge seats in the chamber on the rim or flange of the cartridge case.