What Is Rifle Ammunition?

A rifle cartridge is built from four core components: the case, the bullet, the propellant charge and the primer. The spin imparted by a rifled barrel is what distinguishes rifle ammunition from the smoothbore shotgun cartridges used with shot or slug loads.

Components of a rifle cartridge

• Case: Holds the propellant and primer together, typically with a brass or steel body.
• Bullet: The projectile that travels down the bore and on to the target.
• Propellant: Burns when the primer ignites, generating the gas pressure that drives the bullet.
• Primer: A small component ignited by the firing-pin strike that sets off the propellant; Ozkursan production uses the Boxer-type primer.

Calibre designation

Rifle calibres are named by bullet diameter and case length — for example, 5.56x45 mm. Ozkursan's product range includes a training cartridge in this calibre; see 5.56x45 mm Rifle Ammunition for the full product profile.

Typical applications and regulatory considerations

Rifle-calibre cartridges are used in sport shooting, training and lawful ownership by licensed rifle owners. Blank (training) cartridges contain no projectile and are used for ceremonial, stage and instructional purposes. Acquisition of rifles and rifle-calibre ammunition is subject to the firearms regulations applicable in the country of use.

Case material: steel and brass

Rifle cartridge cases are typically brass or brass-plated steel. Steel cases offer a cost advantage, while brass cases are generally better suited to reloading. Ozkursan's 5.56x45 mm training cartridge is manufactured with a brass-plated steel case, as listed in the catalog.

The Boxer primer system

The Boxer primer sits in a single central ignition hole at the base of the case and is the primer type most widely used in pistol and rifle ammunition worldwide.

Related product

Ozkursan's rifle-calibre catalog product is the 5.56x45 mm Blank Ammunition (Code 5745). For the full range, see Small Arms Ammunition.