The Glossary of Industry terms has been compiled by SAAMI’s Technical Committee to facilitate technical interchanges between members of that committee. It is not intended to provide legal definitions of the terms included, and, in light of further experience, the definitions of these terms may change. It is not intended to be comprehensive since it does not cover the full range of the diversity of the sporting arms and ammunition industry’s products. It is, in other words, a working draft that, it is hoped, may be useful in addressing certain technical matters frequently considered by the Technical Committee and is subject to further change and refinement.
It was the committee’s decision that ONLY industry terms would be included which are unique to the firearms and ammunition industry directly. Optical terms have been omitted for the most part. Common metallurgical terms were not included because they are not unique to the industry. Where there is a common term with a usage unique to our industry, it has, however, been included.
W
WAD COLUMN
The wads between propellant and shot pellets in a specific shotshell.
WAD CUTTER
A device for cutting wads from sheet stock.
WAD PRESSURE
The force applied to a wad column as it is seated firmly against the propellant.
WADCUTTER BULLET
A generally cylindrical bullet design having a sharp shouldered nose intended to cut target paper cleanly to facilitate easy and accurate scoring.
Also Known As: Wadcutter
WALKING BARREL
A gun barrel which changes its center-of-impact point when heated by firing.
WARMING SHOTS
Preliminary shots before firing for velocity, pressure, accuracy, etc.
WATER TABLE
The flat portion of the frame on break-open firearms which extends forward from and is approximately at right angles to the standing breech face. It is the surface on which the barrel flats rest when the gun is closed.
WAX BULLET
A bullet made from paraffin and other wax preparation, usually for short range indoor target shooting.
WEAPON
An instrument used in anti-personnel combat. The term is never used when referring to target or sporting firearms.
WEB
1. The solid portion of a brass centerfire cartridge case between the inside of the case at the head and the bottom of the primer pocket. 2. The smallest dimension of a smokeless powder kernel.
WHELEN STOCK
A rifle stock developed by Colonel Townsend Whelen which features a forward sloping comb and cheekpiece.
WILDCAT CARTRIDGE
A “Wildcat Cartridge” is a cartridge for which the dimensions, performance and pressure levels standards have not been standardized by a recognized standards-setting organization such as SAAMI, the C.I.P., NATO or other governmental body.
WIND DRIFT
The deviation from the expected flight path of a bullet due to the forces of wind.
WINDAGE ADJUSTMENT
The transverse movement of a sight to compensate for the horizontal displacement of a bullet or bullets from the aiming point.
WINDAGE KNOB
The knob on some iron and telescopic sights which is turned in either direction to adjust the horizontal setting of the notch, aperture or reticle of the sight.
WINDAGE MICROMETER
A micrometer type device found on some iron and telescopic sights which allows the shooter to make precision adjustments to the horizontal setting.
WING SAFETY
A manual safety found on some bolt action rifles, usually mounted at the rear of the bolt assembly, which pivots in an arc at right angles to the bore line.
Also Known As: Pivot Safety
WITNESS MARK
A line on each of two mating parts used to indicate proper alignment. Also known as Draw-Line or Index Mark.
Also Known As: Draw-Line, Index Mark
WUNDHAMMER SWELL (BULGE)
A bulge or swelling in the pistol grip of a stock to fit the palm of the trigger hand. Named after inventor Louis Wundhammer.