The basic parts of ammunition are four fundamental components: the case, the primer, the powder (propellant), and the projectile (bullet).
- The case is the container that holds all other parts together, typically made of brass, steel, or sometimes plastic in the case of shotgun shells.
- The primer is a small metal cup with a chemical compound that ignites the powder when struck by the firing pin.
- The powder, or propellant, burns rapidly to create gas pressure that propels the projectile out of the firearm.
- The projectile, commonly called the bullet, is the part that leaves the barrel and hits the target.
These four parts work together to form a cartridge or round, which is the complete unit loaded into a firearm for shooting.
