Letter: B

A pointed, spiral piece of metal secured at the end of a ramrod and used to remove a lead ball or patch from a muzzle loading gun.

The fusing together of several pellets in a shotshell load, usually caused by hot propellant gases leaking past the wadding and fusing the shot while the shot is still in the barrel. See Fused Shot.

An index of the manner in which a particular projectile decelerates in free flight expressed mathematically as: c = w/id² where: c = ballistic coefficient, w = mass, in pounds, i = coefficient of form (a.k.a. form factor), d = bullet diameter, in inches. Represents the bullet’s ability to overcome the air resistance in flight.

A descriptive and performance data sheet on ammunition. Information usually includes: bullet weight and type; muzzle velocity and energy; velocity; energy and trajectory data at various ranges.

The science of projectiles in motion. Usually divided into three parts: 1.) Interior Ballistics, which studies the projectile’s movement inside the barrel of a firearm; 2.) Exterior Ballistics, which studies the projectile’s movement between the muzzle and the target; and 3.) Terminal Ballistics, which studies the projectile’s movement in the target.

A rear sight that incorporates a high visibility, typically horizontal, bar immediately below the rear sight notch. Usually used in conjunction with a high visibility dot front sight.

Firearm component through which a projectile travels. May be rifled or smooth bore.

A barrel of a firearm, either fixed or interchangeable, that has been fitted with necessary parts so that it may be assembled to the remainder of the firearm.

A strip or strips of metal that encircle and hold the barrel and stock, fore-end, magazine or other accessories together.

An unfinished barrel in any state of completion.