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Gun Glossary - Letter B
Index of Firearm & Gun Terminology

B:  Abbreviation for Blue or Blued to describe the finish of the firearm.   See blued.

BA:  Abbreviation for Bolt Action.

BAC:  Abbreviation for Bindon Aiming Concept.  Also; the common use acronym for Browning Arms Company.  See Browning below.

BACK BORE: Modification done on a shotgun to decrease shot pattern spread. Typically used on "Tactical" shotguns or "Scatter Guns" so the shot stays together in a tight group retaining more mass for longer range  increasing the "Knock Down" power of the load.

BACK STOP:  Material that stops projectiles that have passed through a target; it may be of natural material, such as a hillside, or man made for the purpose of stopping bullets from leaving the designated range area.

BACK STRAP: That part of the revolver or pistol frame that is exposed at the rear of the grip.

BACKSTRAP: Alternate spelling for BACK STRAP as above.

BAFFLE:  A sound barrier used to contain or to reduce, redirect or suppress sound waves created by firearms.  Baffles are placed either overhead, alongside or at ground level.  In a tactical situation trees and or man made structures can be used to baffle sound from sniper rifles.

BALL: Originally a spherical projectile, now generally a fully jacketed bullet of cylindrical profile with round or pointed nose. Most commonly used in military terminology.

BALL AND DUMMY: is a training exercise wherein the shooter makes an effort to employ all the control factors for firing a good shot. The ammunition inserted into the pistol by the coach is a random selection of live or dummy ammunition. This training aids the shooter in overcoming reaction to the recoil and loud noise of firing, preventing uncontrolled reflexes from disturbing the hold, and perfecting sight alignment.

BALL POWDER: This is a trade name for a double-base smokeless powder developed by Olin Industries. The grains have a spherical, or flattened spherical, shape.

BALLISTICS: The science which studies the behavior of projectiles in motion.  Also, the science of projectiles, such as bullets, bombs, rockets and missiles in flight.  The science of ballistics include several sub-categories such as; Interior, Exterior, Terminal, Forensic or Criminal and also specialized Wound Ballistics.  For a detailed explanation of the many disciplines of ballistics please see the detail box below.

For detailed information on External Ballistics: Click Here - or go to: The Gun Glossary Letter E.

BALLISTICS TERMS AND PRINCIPLES

Interior Ballistics deals with the propulsion and motion of a projectile within a gun or firing device [in the chamber and in the barrel].  

External / Exterior Ballistics is concerned with the motion of the projectile while in flight, and includes the study of the trajectory, or curved flight path, of the projectile. 

  Click Here - For detailed information on External Ballistics

Terminal Ballistics is concerned with the phenomena occurring at the termination of the projectile's flight; such termination may result from impact on a solid target or explosion of the projectile. 

  Click Here - For detailed information on Terminal Ballistics

Forensic, Criminology & Police Ballistics: The term ballistics is generally applied to the police and forensic identification of the firearm from which a bullet or shell was fired.  Forensic Ballistics and bullet matching to firearms is made possible because of microscopic imperfections in a guns barrel that make unique characteristic scratches and grooves on bullets fired through it.  New technology also include a small imprint or microscopic stamp to be place or etched into the case head of a spent or fire cartridge.

Wound Ballistics is the medical and technical study of wounds created by ballistic projectiles, typically bullets and shot as fired from firearms. Wound Ballistics includes the evaluation of literature in the field of forensic & wound ballistics, as well as encouraging and promoting new work in wound ballistics.  The leading agency for scientific study of Wound Ballistics is the International Wound Ballistics Association or IWBA on the Internet at URL: http://www.IWBA.com

Please see the detail box below for additional information on the science of ballistics.

BARRICADE:  A structure on the range that is used as part of a course of fire.  Barricades are usually wooden in construction and are used for cover.

BASE: The lower part of a firearm also know as the receiver.

BATF - Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Also know as the ATF:  ATF is a division of the Treasury Department that has the authority to regulate many aspects of the firearm market.  BATF is responsible for licensing firearms dealers, controlling the importation of firearms, and tracking firearm production.  BATF also works with law enforcement agencies to track firearms used in crimes.  For more information see:  ATF Responsibilities & History.

BATF Field Division Guide

BATTERY:  The term battery refers to the position of readiness of a firearm for firing where all the components are in the proper position.  A semi-automatic is said to be "out of battery" when the slide is retracted enough to prevent the firing pin from striking the primer (thus preventing the gun from firing).  Failure to return to battery is a fairly common mode of failure for semi-automatics.  Causes for semi-automatics failing to return to battery during normal operation include under lubrication and weak springs.  This problem is usually easily fixed by a competent Gunsmith or Armourer.

BATTERY CUP: A type of primer used in shot shells which makes use of an outside cup to support it in the case.

BARREL: The barrel of a gun is a tube of varying length through which the bullet or shot is discharged. Discharging the bullet through the barrel determines the bullet's initial direction and trajectory. The seal created between the bullet and the surface of the barrel keeps the gas produced by the burning gunpowder trapped behind the bullet once it leaves the cartridge case. As a result, the bullet continues to accelerate until it exits the  gun at the muzzle. Thus, to a certain degree, the longer the barrel, the higher the velocity achieved by the bullet.  Additionally, modern gun barrels are rifled, which causes the bullet to spin, giving it more stability in flight.

BARREL BAND: A metal band, either fixed or adjustable, around the for end of a gun that holds the barrel to the stock.

BARREL BREAK: Another term for a muzzle.  An attachment to or integral part of the barrel intended to trap and divert expanding gasses and reduce perceived recoil.  Also referred to as an EVACUATOR. Muzzle Breaks have many commercial names like the Weatherby's  Accu-Break and the BOSS System by Browning.

BARREL BREAK IN:  A procedure to properly clean and cure a new barrel on a rifle to improve accuracy and to prevent premature barrel erosion and wear. Proper break in procedures close the pores of the barrel metal which have been opened and exposed through the cutting and lapping process. There are as many opinions and procedures as there are hairs on the back of a hound dog.  The procedure below is from a high quality barrel manufacturer and should apply to most firearms.  Check your owners manual for specific details.

BARREL EROSION / BARREL WEAR:  The gradual wearing away of the rifling lands immediately ahead of the chamber throat, resulting in accuracy loss.  Metal surface is burned away by the intensely concentrated powder flame at this point.

BARREL INSERT:  A safety device to prevent unauthorized use of a pistol.  A wide variety of handgun safety devices are manufactured which insert into the barrel or chamber of the gun and provide a physical barrier against loading the handgun.   A barrel insert can be a metal rod, a plastic plug, or a plastic cable which inserts through the barrel and blocks the chamber. Another style of barrel insert is a plastic pin that inserts into the barrel attached to a strong rubber band which hooks around the back of the hammer, securing it in place.

BARREL TIME:  The interval between the time the bullet starts to leave its seat until it reaches the muzzle.  This is significant because is it linked to recoil time, which affects the point of impact. 

BARREL RIB: Additional material along the top of the barrel that allows for quicker alignment of the muzzle with the target and adds weight to improve the balance of the firearm.

BARREL THROAT:  The breech end of a barrel is chambered and somewhat funneled for passage of bullet from cartridge case mouth into barrel.

BARRELED ACTION:  A combination of barrel and receiver or frame and breech bolt, together with the other parts of the mechanism by which a firearm is loaded, fired and unloaded.

BATTERY:  The condition of a firearms breechblock in firing position.  Used as "in battery" or "out of battery" malfunction or condition.

BATTERED CARTRIDGE:  An unserviceable or damaged cartridge.  The cartridge is deformed in such a way that it will not chamber in the rifle.

BAYONET: An edged weapon mounted on the muzzle end of a firearm as a backup weapon.  The first bayonets were essentially daggers which were stuck in the muzzle of a musket, so that it could be used as a pike in close combat.  This was superseded by the socket bayonet, which (naturally) features a socket that goes around the  weapons barrel, so that the musket could be fired even while the bayonet was mounted.  Socket bayonets were used widely in the 18th and 19th centuries.  They have been replaced by knife bayonets, which are basically knives that can be mounted onto rifles or shotguns.  Bayonets have been made to fit muskets, rifles, shotguns, and even handguns.  Most bayonets are easily detached from the weapon, but some are semi-permanently mounted on the gun.  Examples of these include the Soviet SKS carbine and M1944 Omission-Nagant.

BAYONET LUG: A fitting on a firearm to which a bayonet is attached.  Under the so called Assault Weapons Ban, a Bayonet Lug can no longer be manufactured or mounted onto a civilian or sporting firearm.

BB:  A spherical pellet of: a. plated steel of .175-inch diameter for use in air guns; b. lead or steel of .180-inch diameter for use in shotguns.

BB CAP:  Bulleted Breech Cap; a small low-power 22-caliber cartridge for short range shooting.  Its ancestry goes back to the 1840's.

BB GUN:  Common name for any of the many air guns that shoot a .175-inch spherical steel or plated steel pellet.

BDC:  Abbreviation for Bullet Drop Compensator.

BEAD:  a. A round sight normally used at the muzzle end of a shotgun.  b. The front sight on some older rifles, in which the sight is viewed as a round ball or bead on a narrow post.  Common usage includes the term "To draw a Bead on someone" or to "Bead the Target"  a carry over from olden days when most sights were bead sights.

BEAD SIGHT:  The small cylindrical top portion on some forms of front sights.  Typical on shotguns.

BEARING SURFACE: That portion of the bullet surface which bears on, or touches, the bore.

BEAT: The sniper's operational area where established control measures (boundaries, limits) define his territory.

BEAVERTAIL FOREND:  A wider than normal forend.  See Forend.

BEDDING:  The point of attachment of the receiver and the stock.  Also refers to the fit or fitting of the metal parts of the barrel and receiver with the stock.  The barrel lays in and is attached to the bedding.

BEDDING BLOCK:  Point of attachment of the receiver and the stock.  As above.

BELL: To open or flair the mouth of a case slightly in order to seat a bullet more easily. Also used in reference to a rifle barrel which is worn at the muzzle (as in "a belled muzzle").

BELTED CARTRIDGE:  Center fire cartridge with a band or belt which is formed into the head of some magnum type cartridge cases.  The belt is intended to strengthen the case, preventing case rupture or blow out and also provide and additional headspace for the cartridge.  Many modern "Belted Magnums" are based on the venerable .375 Holland & Holland cartridge (.375 H&H).

BENCH REST RIFLE:  A rifle designed for optimum accuracy while being shot from the shoulder and supported by a specifically designed table called a rest or bench rest.  Shooting event utilizing rifles and ammunition designed to deliver extreme accuracy at long ranges.

BENCH REST SHOOTING:  A shooting sport in which the competitors seek to place ten or more consecutive shots into the smallest possible group on a paper target at various ranges.  All firing is done from an artificially supported shooting position using a bench rest rifle.  It is a severe test of the mechanical precision of both the small arm, the ammunition and the shooter.

BERDAN: also Berdan Primed: A common European priming system which makes use of an anvil formed in the case itself.  Cases that are Berdan Primed typically can NOT be easily reloaded, unlike American style Boxer Primed cartridges.

BERDAN PRIMER:  Invented by Colonel Hiram Berdan of the US Army in the 19th c., this is the most common type of center fire primer manufactured outside the USA.

BERM:  An embankment used for restricting bullets to a given area or as a dividing wall between ranges.  Also backstop, baffle.

BIATHLON: A shooting sport that combines both skiing and rifle shooting.  The biathlon is the only shooting sport in the Winter Olympics. There is also a summer biathlon which involves running and shooting but it is not yet an Olympic event.   Please note many other shooting sports are in the Summer Olympics.

BIG BORE:  In America, any firearm using a center fire cartridge with a bullet .30" in diameter or larger.  Other countries have similar definitions and technical specifications for the term, with the intended specification designed to ensure humane kills in hunting of game with rifles of specified "Big Bore" calibers.  The "big bore" specification also comes into play during range safety planning as big bore rifles typically have lethality at long range and require adequate safety precautions.

BIG FIVE:  The term "Big Five" of "Classic Big Five" refers to the 5 classic big and dangerous game cartridge calibers. Though many of them were developed decades ago, they are still widely used and very effective when shooting dangerous game animals. 

BIG FIVE:  The term "Big Five" of "African Big Five" refers to the 5 classic big and dangerous game animals of the African continent.  In years past, no hunter was considered worth his salt if he had not completed the "Big-Five".

BINDON AIMING CONCEPT:  Advanced automatic zooming, two eye aiming method used in modern ACOG's or Advanced Combat Optical Gun sight.   The highly advanced Bindon Aiming Concept, available on all ACOG scopes, is an optical breakthrough that combines traditional long-stand-off marksmanship capability with the ultimate in close-combat transitional aiming.  Using the two-eye aiming method, when the rifle is being moved, the perceived image is unmagnified, permitting extremely rapid target acquisition.  As soon as the rifle movement is stopped and the shooter is close to the proper aim on target, the targeted image "zooms" into magnification, permitting greater accuracy with higher hit ratios.  See ACOG.

BI POD: A two-legged support attached to the fore-end of a rifle, used mainly for long range and  accurate shooting. Often written as BIPOD.

BIPOD:  A two-legged support attached to the fore-end of a rifle, used mainly for long range and  accurate shooting. Also written as BI POD.

BIRD SHOT:  Individual projectiles of less than .24" in diameter, designed to be discharged in quantity from a shotgun. The size of the shot is given as a number or letter--with the larger number the smaller the shot size. The size designation was originally based upon the size of a mesh through which the shot would pass. The finest size generally used is #9 which is approximately .08" in diameter and the largest common size is #2 which is approximately .15" in diameter. However, bird shot is available in a range of sizes from .05" (#12) to .21" (TT).   A quick rule of thumb states that shot diameter in hundredths of an inch is given by subtracting the shot number from 17.

BLACK POWDER: The earliest type of firearms propellant that has generally been replaced by smokeless powder except for use in muzzleloaders and older breech loading guns that demand its lower pressure levels.  A propellant powder once used in ammunition and as the bursting charge in artillery projectiles. Generically called "gunpowder." Black powder is no longer in general use except in replicas of antique firearms. It is classed by the Department of Transportation as an explosive. See Smokeless Powder.

BLACKOUT: Condition where the exit pupil of a scope is smaller than the pupil of the shooter, which results in the target image forming on only part of the eye, with a surrounding black ring. This makes it more difficult to focus on the target. 

BLANK: A cartridge that does not contain a bullet. T hey are often used as starter pistols or in theatrical productions. You should be very aware that a "blank" can produce considerable energy and propel expanding gases and particles out of the barrel with considerable force. Never, ever assume that a gun, even a specifically  designed "blank gun", can be handled with less care and caution than any other firearm. Always treat each and every firearm as though it were loaded and fully functional.  Noted celebrities such as Brandon Lee and John Eric Huxton were badly injured or killed when people disregarded proper safety procedures in handling guns loaded with blanks.

BLANK AMMUNITION: A type of ammunition that contains powder but no solid projectile that is used to simulate gun fire or launch a grenade or other large projectile from a suitably equipped firearm.   While a blank cartridge contains no projectile the blast and resulting debris can be extremely dangerous or lethal at close range.

BLANK CARTRIDGE: A round loaded with black powder or a special smokeless powder but lacking a projectile. Used mainly in starting races, theatrical productions, troop exercises and in training dogs.

BLASER:  Maker of fine arms and Europe's leading manufacturer of hunting and sporting rifles.  Blaser (pronounced BLÄ º ZER - as in Blah` Zur) of Isny, Germany only started making fine arms in 1963, but have quickly moved to the fore front in quality, workmanship and innovative technology.  The R93 bolt action rifle is commonly heralded by the hunting press as the "bolt action rifle of the century" and it remains unrivaled in both quality and performance in modern rifle technology.  For more information see the info block below.

Fine Arms of the World Blaser Jagdwaffen GmbH ( Blaser Hunting Arms Inc. ) Blaser began as a gunsmith shop in 1963 and, step by step, developed into Europe's leading manufacturer of hunting and sporting rifles. The owner and CEO, Gerhard Blenk, and his team of designers, CAD/CAM experts and gunsmiths, are acknowledged as innovative leaders of their industry. With increasing success over the past ten years they have introduced exciting new ideas using Blaser's own patented technology.  Foremost in the Blaser line is their patented "Straight-Pull" Bolt.  Blaser's "Straight-Pull" Bolt  The Blaser R93 is revolutionary.  Featuring a straight pull bolt, radial breech lockup for faster operation, as well as in-line cartridge feeding, a free-floating barrel and an amazing crisp sear-free trigger mechanism.   R93 is faster, lighter, quicker handling, and more accurate than conventional bolt action rifles.  It is also a thing of beauty. Competitors have paid the ultimate compliment to Blaser by trying to imitate Blaser ideas and designs, but none of them has equaled the perfection of a Blaser product. The R93 bolt action rifle, heralded by the hunting press as the "bolt action rifle of the century", remains an unrivaled example of rifle technology.   [ Editors Note:  I am the proud and very happy owner of an R93 Blaser and it is absolutely exceptional in every detail. The fit and finish is unmatched and the action is simple and smooth.  I am very happy with my R93 and have plans to purchase an Attaché` model this year as well as the LRS2. ] Blaser R93 Attaché` Winner of the "Rifle Of The Year" award in Germany and France (DWJ - Deutsches Waffen Journal or German Weapons Journal), the R93 rifle and other Blaser products have been winning all major awards in all fields since 1993. Bucking the declining European trend in sales of hunting rifles, Blaser has instead enjoyed remarkable growth. In 1995 it outgrew its plant in Isny, and began manufacturing parts of the R 93 series and the 300m marksman rifle in a new factory in Liechtenstein. Blaser pays strict attention to the classic elements of a rifle by using beautiful hand crafted walnut stocks, with fine engravings and superb finishes. Blaser gunsmiths and engravers are renowned for their artistry. Blaser Scope Mounts The elegant and impressive Blaser Saddle Mount, is a low-profile, one-piece mount.  It is locked into special milled housings directly on the barrel. Following initial zeroing-in, the scope and its mount can be removed and replaced as often as necessary. To do this, you simply release the two retaining levers and then retighten them once the unit is in position. The Blaser saddle mount is suitable for scopes with or without rail, with 1'', 26mm or 30mm main tube. Due to the adjustable design, one scope can be used on several different barrels. Similarly, several different scopes can be used with one barrel.  In the USA Blaser Rifles are imported and distributed by SIG Arms Inc. of Exeter, New Hampshire.  There are also qualified Blaser dealers and importers in almost every European country as well as in New Zealand, South Africa, Russia and Japan .  For more information use the links and contact information provided below. Blaser Germany Blaser Jagdwaffen GmbH Ziegelstadel 1 D-88316 Isny im Allgäu Germany Fax us: +49 - 75 62 - 702 343 E-mail us: [email protected] Web URL: http://www.blaser.de SIG-Blaser USA SIG Arms Inc. Corporate Park Exeter, NH 03833 USA Tel 1-603-772-2302 Fax 1-603-772-4795 http://www.SIGArms.com/blaser_r93_rifles.htm

BLOCK & TACKLE:  A combination of ropes, pulley and clevises used to hoist, drag and emplace heavy field guns. The "Block & Tackle" were common in pre mechanized times when gun crews had to pull and drag there artillery pieces up steep terrain and hoist them into various types of positions.

BLOOP TUBE:  A metal tube, with over-caliber inside dimensions, added to the front of a barrel to extend the sight radius.  Normally used in target shooting with short-barreled weapons.

BLOWN PRIMER:  Malfunction condition where the primer has fallen completely out of its pocket when the cartridge is extracted after firing.

BLOWBACK:  A type of semiautomatic or fully automatic gun design in which there is no mechanical locking of the bolt.  Instead, the breech is held closed only by the weight and inertia of the bolt, with some slight assistance from the recoil spring, until the bullet leaves the muzzle.  Classic examples of the blowback semiautomatic pistol designs are found in the Browning series of pocket-sized pistols in .25, .32 and .380 calibers as well as the famous Walther PP and PPK series of handguns.  Nearly all successful submachine guns, including the popular Uzi and Ingram or MAC 10's as well as the HK MP5  family, use the blowback action.  2.  A gun malfunction in which the powder gases escape rearward and into the action.

BLUE:  The chemical oxidation to color ferrous metal parts various shades of blue or black.

BLUING: The blue or black finish of the metal parts of a gun. The process is actually one of controlled rusting and brushing and is usually created with an acid bath.  Bluing minimizes light reflection, gives a "finish" to the bare metal, and protects some what against rust.

BMG:  Acronym for Browning Machine Gun.

BODY ARMOR:  Term for protective clothing, equipment and bullet resistant vests used by Law Enforcement and Military personnel to protect them from the effects of bullets and fragmentation from firearms and explosives.  Modern body armor is made from Ceramic Plate, special hardened alloys and Kevlar, a synthetic woven fiber.  Also refereed to as Bullet Proof Vests.  See Bullet Resistant.

BOFORS:  Swedish arms and industrial company.  Bofors AB is now a part of the SAAB  Group. Bofors Defence - developer of defence systems Bofors Defence is a Swedish defence systems company wholly owned by United Defense. This makes it strong on both the Swedish and the international markets as well as providing a transatlantic technology link for the future advanced systems. Apart from the company's end-to-end competence Bofors Defence's ambition is to be the global leader in intelligent ammunition and in many other areas of technologies. Bofors Defence has a wide range of products that include mission-assigned systems for precision response as well as protection systems, ammunition and launchers. Web URL: http://www.boforsdefence.com/eng/home.asp

BOFORS GUN:  Generic term for the Swedish-designed Bofors 40mm Automatic Canon.  In fact all guns made by Bofors ABB are technically Bofors Guns but the term is typically used to refer to the AA Gun found on ships and in Anti Aircraft Artillery Batteries of many countries. Bofors 40mm gun is a fully automatic cannon intended primarily for use against aircraft. Firing 40mm ammunition,  it was first fitted to ships before and during the Second World War, quickly becoming standard for most western naval ships. Many navy ships of the world are still fitted with updated Bofors guns.

Bofors 40mm Auto Cannons test firing at sea.

BOLT: The breech closure of a breech-loading firearm.  The bolt on a modern rifle typically contains the firing pin or striker that male contact with the primer when the trigger is pulled and an extractor that ejects the spent cartridge.  The bolt also pushes the cartridges into the chamber.  Keep in mind that many rifles are Bolt Action the most common being Semi Automatic Action but most non bolt action rifles also have a bolt.

BOLT ACTION:  A firearm in which the breech closure is in line with the bore at all times; manually reciprocated to load, unload and cock; and is locked in place by breech bolt lugs engaging abutments usually in the receiver. There are two principle types of bolt actions, the turn bolt and the straight pull type. With the more common "Turn Bolt" action, the shooter grasps a handle and rotates it up to unlock the bolt lugs from the receiver and then pulls the bolt to the rear to extract the cartridge or to prepare and load a new cartridge. Moving the bolt to the rear and subsequently pushing it back to the forward and down locked position also cocks the firearm. "Straight Pull" bolts do the same as above but one has to simply pull the bolt to the rear to unlock, extract and then straight forward to cock, load and lock the action.  In both types of bolt action guns, the action of the firearm is opened and closed by physically grasping the bolt handle and cycling it by hand. 

BOLT CARRIER ASSEMBLY:  An integral component of the action that houses the bolt and firing pin in many semi automatic rifles like the M16 and AR-15 variants.

BORE: 1. The inside of a barrel.  2.  The interior of a firearm's barrel excluding the chamber.  3. The diameter of the barrel as measured across the lands of a rifled barrel.

BORE DIAMETER: In rifled firearms is the original dimension of the barrel before the rifling grooves are cut or swayed.  Bore diameter is expressed in caliber and in millimeters.

BORE SIGHT:  Technique for aligning sights or optical scopes with the axis of the bore.  Done by looking through or shining a light or laser down the bore of a firearm and manually aligning the sights or the scopes cross hairs to the same place the bore is pointing to.

BORE SIGHTING:  A method of aligning a barrel on a target by aiming through the bore. May be part of the sight alignment procedure. When sighting in a scope tools like a collimator can be used.

BOTTLENECK CASE:  Cartridge case with a neck diameter smaller than its body diameter, hence creating a shoulder.

BOTTLENECK CARTRIDGE:  An ammunition cartridge that uses a bottlenecked case as in the .357 SIG, the .400 Cor-Bon and 30 Luger.

BOXLOCK ACTION:  A type of firearm action typified by the Parker shotgun in the U.S. and by Westley Richards in England.  Generally considered not to be as strong as the side lock.  Developed by Anson & Deeley, the box lock is hammerless. it has two disadvantages: Hammer pin must be placed directly below knee of action, which is its weakest spot, and the action walls must be thinned out to receive locks. These are inserted from below into large slots in action body, which is then closed with a plate.  Greener cross bolt, when made correctly, overcomes many of the box lock weaknesses.

BOX MAGAZINE:   A form of ammunition supply in which the cartridges are contained in a metal box, either detachable from the firearm or permanently attached forming an integral component, and are pushed towards the mouth of the magazine by a spring so as to enter the feedway of the firearm.

BOXER: also Boxer Primed - Boxer Primer:  Type of ammunition ignition or priming device invented by the British Colonel Boxer in the 19th century, this is the most common type of center fire primer used in the USA.  Boxer Primers have a 3-legged internal anvil, permitting the use of a single, central flash hole in the case head.  Such cases can be conveniently de-primed by means of the decapping pin in standard reloading dies.  This type of primer is used in most American made rifle and pistol ammunition.  Boxer Primed cartridges are easy to reload.

BRAS: An acronym for Breath, Release [half of it] Aim, Squeeze [the trigger]. Technique taught to basic trainees in boot camp and reiterated on each visit to the rifle range for weapons qualification and marksmanship training.

BRASS:  Breath Relax Aim Slack Squeeze

BRASS: A synonym for expended metallic cartridge cases.  Original cases were made of brass and although there are several other metals and alloys used in modern cases the term is still used to describe spent or empty cases with out regard to there make up.

BREAK IN:  A barrel wear in process for the initial use of a new rifle barrel, by alternately firing and cleaning, a progressively larger number of shots, until a certain number has been reached.  This process must be completed before load development for the rifle is started, and/or before the rifle is sighted in for a specific load.  One such process is as follows: - Clean before firing - Clean after every shot (w/o the bore brush) for the first 10-20 rounds - Clean after every 5 shots for the next 20-40 shots. - Clean after every 10 shots for another 20-40 shots. - Shoot 20 shots without cleaning before sighting in for good. 

BREATH CONTROL: is the ability to temporarily suspend breathing while firing a shot without being conscious of the need to take another breath. This awareness disturbs the shooter's concentration on maintaining perfect sight alignment.

BREECH: The rear end of the bore of a firearm where the cartridge is inserted into the chamber. Breech 2. That portion of a gun which contains the action, the trigger or firing mechanism, the magazine, and the chamber portion of the barrel(s).

BREECH, HANDGUN: The breech is the area of the handgun that contains the mechanical action, the chamber and the attachment of the barrel to the frame.

BREN GUN "Brno-Enfield":  The Bren Gun is a WWII and Korean War vintage Light Machine Gun (LMG). The Bren was originally a Czech design and its name resulted from the combination of "Brno" and "Enfield", the location of the small-arms factories in Czechoslovakia and Great Britain respectively that contributed to its development.  The "Bren Gun" is gas-operated and air-cooled.  The Bren was first produced in 1937 and became one of the most widely used weapons of its type. It was produced in .303 caliber for British use and was manufactured as a 7.92-millimetre weapon for Chinese Nationalist troops.  See details below.

BRENNEKE, WILHELM:  Famous German arms maker, inventor and outdoors man, Wilhelm Brenneke was the inventor of the modern shotgun slug.  He designed and tested the arrow shaped slug in the late 1800's and produced the modern shotgun slug in Germany in 1898.  Since then, countless manufacturers have copied the Brenneke design.  See Brenneke info below.

Wilhelm Brenneke Great Arms Makers of the World Wilhelm Brenneke famous German arms maker, inventor and outdoors man and founder of the Brenneke Ammunition Company of Germany.  Brenneke was also the inventor of the modern shotgun slug.   Brenneke loved the great outdoors, nature and hunting but was also concerned about the humane and ethical aspects of game hunting.  The ammunition of his day left much to be desired and he could not bear to see a magnificent game animal wounded.  Thus, he set out to develop a shotgun projectile that would ensure quick, clean and humane kills.  Applying his skills as a respected gun maker and his experience in the outdoors, he exhaustively tested each of his designs until he arrived at a projectile that delivered a previously unobtainable combination of power and accuracy.   In 1898 Brenneke finalized the design of the modern shotgun slug.  So popular was his creation that slugs became known simply as "Brennekes."  Brenneke Original Shotgun Slug After enduring two world wars and countless challenges from imitators, the company Wilhelm Brenneke founded is still owned and operated by his descendants near Hanover, Germany.  Today, it produces over 10 million shotgun slugs every year.  By the end of the 19th century, the shotgun slug invented by the genius Wilhelm Brenneke had six sloping guide ribs and the characteristic felt wad.  The reason why the Brenneke was able to succeed compared to other designs is that it is based upon the »arrow« principle. The center of gravity is in front of the slug, as it is with an arrow or shuttlecock. This weight-forward design stabilizes the slug during its flight, making it ideal for short-range hunting purposes.  Hunting Precision  with Technical Control It was Brenneke who developed and  pioneered the design of efficient rifle bullets for hunting purposes.  He discovered how technical refinements can be used to significantly influence the internal ballistics, the performance of rifle bullet while in the barrel, the external ballistics while the projectile is in flight and the terminal ballistics at the target while controlling its effect. Developments by Brenneke include the wad cutter, the dual-core principle, varying the thickness of the jacket, and the torpedo tail.  Even today, many bullet designs are based in one way or another on these trend setting inventions, even if they are sold under other names than Brenneke.  With respect to their reaction in the barrel, their trajectory stabilization, and the adapted energy transfer in the target, Original BRENNEKE rifle bullets had a head start in experience, one from which the hunter benefits with each shot. Targeted Selection There's no overlooking one fact: in practice, a rifle bullet is gauged by its attainable accuracy and is selected accordingly.  Consistently exceptional accuracy is the ultimate reason why the Original BRENNEKE TIG® and TUG® have been produced exclusively by Dynamit Nobel for more than a quarter of a century, and why it is loaded into 21 different RWS rifle cartridges. Always on a huntsman like course The ballistic performance offered by Original BRENNEKE® rifle bullets is a result of the interaction between numerous characteristics of great importance to the hunter. Optimal intra-ballistic characteristics and a stable trajectory are responsible for high target accuracy even in the presence of minor obstacles. The wad cutter provides a sharp cut by the rifle bullet as well as blood at the entrance wound for subsequent tracking of the game. The controlled expansion of the soft lead nose insures an outstanding transfer of the energy of the bullet into the body of the target animal. The Original BRENNEKE TIG® and TUG® rifle bullets provide for excellent penetration and tissue destruction in the body and will generally penetrate completely. This insures excellent performance even with poor bullet placement, unexpectedly tough game, or the necessity for a long range shot. This exceptional performance permits universal application for almost all types of game worldwide, even under extreme conditions.

BRENNEKE SLUG: As a dedicated and widely experienced big game hunter, and a highly accomplished ballistics expert, Her Brenneke knew he would never take slug to market that wouldn't meet his own demanding standards. His standards meant taking some of the most dangerous game the world has to offer: bear, boar, lion, tiger, leopard, even Cape Buffalo - all using only his own remarkable shotgun slugs.

BRENNEKE TIG: Brenneke Torpedo-Ideal-Bullet (TIG).  The soft lead nose of the bullet fits like a cone into the hard core at the rear.  This construction induces a mushroom-shaped expansion of the TIG, with high energy transfer in the body of the game, an effect enhanced by the nickel-plated mild steel jacket construction.  This bullet is ideal for all light to medium-weight game. 

BRENNEKE TUG: Torpedo-Universal-Bullet (TUG) The harder lead core at the rear projects as a point into the front core.  This design controls and reduces the mushroom-shaped expansion, giving the bullet greater penetration. The TUG is therefore ideal for heavier, tougher game. 

BREVET RANK: A commission giving an officer higher rank than that for which he receives pay; an honorary promotion of an officer.

Note: In the United States Army, rank by brevet is conferred, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for ``gallant actions or meritorious services.'' A brevet rank gives no right of command in the particular corps to which the officer brevetted belongs, and can be exercised only by special assignment of the President, or on court martial, and detachments composed of different corps, with pay of the brevet rank when on such duty.

BROWNING ARMS COMPANY:  Famous American arms maker located in Morgan, Utah.  Established in 1880 by John Moses Browning, the Browning Arms Company is still in business today.  Browning's corporate headquarters is nestled in the Rocky Mountains of northern Utah in a small town called Mountain Green, population 1,700, located about 40 miles northeast of Salt Lake City.  You can contact Browning's Customer Service directly by calling 1-800-333-3288 or you e-mail them directly at: [email protected].  For further information, please feel free to contact Browning at:

Browning
One Browning Place
Morgan, UT 84050
Telephone (801) 876-2711

On the Web at URL: http://www.browning.com

BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE (B.A.R.) (BAR) :  The Browning Automatic Rifle or B.A.R., is exactly as its designation states "A Browning Automatic Rifle" and though this term normally is in reference to the Military Model M1918, a commercially available variant of the original name-sake is still in production today, as a semi-automatic sporting rifle manufactured by the Browning Arms Company. The original "Browning Automatic Rifle" or "B.A.R" is the American military model 1918 or M1918. This BAR was issued to American and allied forces in World War One, World War Two & Korea as a select fire automatic battlefield rifle and Light Machine Gun (LMG).

B.A.R. M1918 was produced in the United States starting in 1918 and widely used in other countries as a light machine gun (LMG).  The BAR is a gas-operated, shoulder fired, select fire rifle invented by John Moses Browning (1855-1926), the famed American gun designer of unmatched impact. The M1918 BAR has been chambered for various types of ammunition, but was most frequently chambered in .30-06 Springfield.  The M1918 is about 47 inches (120 cm) long, it has a 20-round magazine and weighs 19.4 pounds (8.8 kg).  The M1918 BAR can fire up to 650 rounds per minute but can also fire single shots or bursts of two or three to increase accuracy. It can be fired from the shoulder or mounted on a bipod.  The BAR was used by U.S. infantry forces in World Wars I and II and the Korean War.  It remained in U.S. Army service until 1957. Even after being removed from the official inventory, it was used by Special Operations Forces in Viet Nam.

BROWNING, JOHN MOSES: Famous American arms maker and inventor.  Born; January 23 1855, and died, November 26, 1926.  See below for information and details.

BUCK SHOT: Individual projectiles of shot .24" in diameter or greater, designed to be discharged in quantity from a shotgun. 

BUCKHORN SIGHT:  An open, metallic rear sight with sides that curl upward and inward.

BUILT-IN LOCK: An intrinsic safety device.   Some types of handguns are manufactured with locks mounted in the grip of the gun which locks the action.  Some handguns are manufactured with these types of locks, or they can be added by the owner.  Found in both keyed and combination styles, built-in locks prevent the handgun from being fired by  someone other than the person who has access to the combination or key.  There are a variety of mechanisms depending on the type of lock.  One device locks the manual thumb safety in the engaged position, while another type internally secures the hammer.  Most handguns currently available in the consumer market do not come equipped  with built-in locks, but most newly designed handgun do.  After-market kits can be purchased allowing both pistol and revolver owners to retrofit their weapons.

BURN RATE: also: BURNING RATE: A term which is used to describe the rapidity with which a given powder will burn.  The term itself is a relative one based on a comparison with other powders.

Comparative Powder Burning Rates

The chart below lists powders currently and commonly available in the US. They are listed in order from the fastest burning to the slowest burning. Note that the former Hercules powders are now produced by Alliant Powder, and the former Dupont powders are now produced by IMR Powder.

Temperature Effects on Powder

Table Notes:

All temperatures are indicated in Fahrenheit

Data based upon the 308 Win. cartridge using all the same lot numbers Winchester cases, Winchester Large Rifle Primers and Sierra 168 gr. BTHP Match bullets. Note that many ball powders can exhibit unexpected extreme changes in pressure below 35 degrees F and above 105 degrees F, rising pressures 10,000 psi or more at elevated temperatures. Be careful at the temperature extremes!

Data courtesy of Varget.

BULL:  The central blackened portion of a target that appears as a dot to the shooter taking aim. The center ring is a "10" or "bull's-eye".

BULL BARREL: A heavier, thicker than normal barrel with little or no taper.  Typically used on target and sporting rifles.  The heavy contour adds stability and decrease barrel droop.

BULLET: That portion of the cartridge which becomes a projectile when in flight. 2: The projectile expelled from a gun.  It is not synonymous with cartridge or ammunition but the term bullet or bullets is commonly used incorrectly to describe ammunition or cartridges.  Bullets can be made of many materials, shapes, weights and constructions such as solid lead, lead with a jacket of harder metal, round-nosed, flat-nosed, hollow-pointed, etc.  Bullets come in many designs, and each design will dictate how it behaves both in flight and after it strikes a solid object.   In simple terms, you can divide bullets into four broad categories; Wad cutter, Round-Nose, Hollow Point and Pre-Fragmented.  Common usage of the term bullet include; using the word bullet or bullets to describe ammunition, as in "I have to buy some bullets".  See bullets by category below.

BULLETS BY CATEGORY - TYPE AND TYPICAL APPLICATION

Commercial Handgun Bullet Types and Applications

BHP - Bonded Hollow Point. Same as the JHP, but the metal jacket has been chemically bonded to the lead core to ensure that the jacket cannot separate from it on impact. This is desirable for when a bullet may need to penetrate glass or thin metal and still remain intact.  Used for CCW and Self Defense.

FMJ - Full Metal Jacket.  A bullet completely enclosed (except for the base) in a hard metal jacket (usually an alloy of copper, sometimes mild-steel). This is the only type of bullet permitted in warfare.  Used by military and for plinking and target shooting.

JFP - Jacketed Flat Point. Same as the FMJ, however instead of the tip of the bullet being rounded, it ends in a flat plate.  Used for target shooting.

JHP - Jacketed Hollow Point. A bullet constructed of a soft lead core enclosed in a hard metal jacket. The top of the bullet has an opening in the jacket, exposing a hollow lead core. On the force of impact, the bullet is forced to open up and expand, resulting in less penetration but greater damage due to the larger diameter of the now expanded bullet.  Used for CCW and Self Defense.

JTC - Jacketed Truncated Cone. Very similar to the JFP, but the sides of the bullet are straight and end in a flat plate, as opposed to the JFP where the sides are more rounded. The JTC bullet has the profile of a cone with a flat plate at the tip instead of a point.  Used for target practice and reloading.

LTC - Lead Truncated Cone. Same as JTC, however the bullet is constructed completely of lead and has no metal jacket.   Used for target practice, and reloading for cheap bastards who don't care about the environment or getting lead poisoning.

LHP - Lead Hollow Point. Same as the JHP, but the bullet is constructed completely of lead and has no jacket.  Used in same large game applications.

PHP - Plated Hollow Point. Same as the JHP, however, instead of the lead core being enclosed by a metal jacket, it is instead coated with a thin layer of chemically deposited metal.  Used for CCW and Self Defense.

SJHP - Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point. Same as the JHP, except the jacket does not completely cover the lead core. Usually a small section (about 2mm or 1/8") at the top of the bullet is left exposed. This is an older design, but is still common in the .38 special, .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum calibers.  Used for CCW and Self Defense.

SWC - Semi Wad Cutter. Very similar to the LTC, however the base of the bullet has a slight ridge or shoulder. Thus the diameter of the base of the cone is slightly smaller than the base of the bullet itself. This causes the bullet to cut neat round holes in paper targets, instead of ripping the paper.  Used for target shooting onto paper.

TMJ - Total Metal Jacket. Same as the FMJ, however, unlike the FMJ where the metal jacket encloses the whole bullet except the base, the TMJ bullet's base is also enclosed by the jacket.  Used for target shooting and at indoor ranges.

JPF - Jacketed Pre-Fragmented. The bullet consists of a metal jacket as in the JHP, but instead of the core being solid lead, it consists of a number of separate projectiles, such as lead shot (the most common), metal disks, or polymer, (or any combination) compressed into the jacket. The tip of the bullet usually has a polymer "cap" with a round-nose profile to ensure reliable feeding. JPF bullets are usually much lighter than normal bullets, and travel at extreme velocities.   Used for specific CQB Training and in indoor ranges.  Can be used in special circumstances for tactical application.

Common Bullet Abbreviations BEB Brass Enclosed Base BT Boat Tail CLSP Core-Lokt Soft Point EP Expanding Point FMJ Full Metal Jacket HP Hollow Point HPBT Hollow Point Boat Tail HPSP Hollow Soft Point JHP Jacketed Hollow Point JSP Jacketed Soft Point LRN Lead Round Nose PEP Positive Expanding Point PG Partitioned Gold PP Power-Point PSP Pointed Soft Point RNFP Round Nose Flat Point SBST Ballistic Silvertip SP Soft Point STHP Silvertip Hollow Point SXT Supreme Expansion Technology SWC Semi-Wadcutter TCM Truncated Cone Match WC Wad-Cutter

NEW TECHNOLOGY - LEAD-FREE FRANGIBLE BULLETS New Disintegrator™ lead-free frangible pistol ammunition by Remington Arms Company, Inc. is a technological breakthrough in bullet construction that offers totally lead-free, no-ricochet performance, with point of impact, accuracy, and felt recoil equivalent to standard lead core pistol ammunition. Disintegrator Lead-Free Frangible bullets are protected with a hard copper plate, enhancing feed and function in all auto loading pistols, and minimizes bore fouling.  Felt recoil and point of impact duplicate conventional ammunition. It is available in standard profile 9mm, .40 Auto, and .45 ACP specifications.  The metal powder core construction allows for complete frangibility against hard surfaces.  Disintegrator™ frangible bullets are ideal for heavily used ranges to reduce operating expense from wear and damage to bullet traps and backstops. All that's left after impact are metal particles and harmless pieces of thin copper plating. Disintegrator™ bullet made of compressed metal particles shaped into standard profile 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 Auto specifications. Disintegrator™ core is completely protected with hard copper plate. Manufacturing process produces highly concentric core for excellent accuracy. Felt recoil and point of impact duplicate conventional ammunition. Disintegrator™ frangible lead-free bullets feature a high strength compaction formed core, completely sealed in a jacket of electroplated copper. The metal powder core  construction creates a bullet that easily withstands the forces and pressure of firing, while providing instant and complete frangibility against hard surfaces.  The copper plating on provides a smooth, ductile jacket that enhances feed and function in all auto loading pistols, minimizes bore fouling, and virtually eliminates barrel erosion. Only .005" thick, it is enough for good rifling "bite," but too thin to ricochet. Disintegrator is a Registered Trade Mark of Remington Arms Company Inc.

Remington Commercial Rifle Bullets
By Type and Application

The Swift A-Frame bullet has a progressively thickening jacket to control  expansion or mushrooming in a uniform and predictable manner to 2x the   caliber.  The protected rear core provides momentum for very deep penetration on tough game. This bullet is ideally used for larger game.

Information Courtesy of Remington Arms Company, Inc.

BULLET, ARMOR PIERCING:  A projectile or projectile core that may be used in a handgun intended to pierce steel armor that is constructed entirely, or has a core constructed, from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, depleted uranium, or a fully jacketed projectile larger than 22 caliber intended for use in a handgun whose jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the projectile. The term does not include shotgun shot or projectiles intended for sporting purposes.

Legal Note: The Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. Sec. 922 (a) (7)) prohibits the manufacture or sale of armor piercing ammunition, except for use by law enforcement and the military.

BULLET, DUM-DUM:  A British military bullet developed in India. s Dum-Dum Arsenal in 1897-98. It was a jacketed .303 caliber rifle bullet with the jacket nose left open to expose the lead core in hopes of greater effectiveness. Further development of the bullet was not pursued because the Hague Convention of 1899 outlawed such bullets for warfare.

BULLET DROP:  Term used to describe the measure of a bullet’s fall after it crosses the line of sight for the second time, i.e., beyond the zero or sighted-in range, due to the effect of gravity. 

BULLET DROP COMPENSATOR:  Any device that is integral to the rifle telescope that is designed to compensate for the bullet's trajectory.  Abbreviated BDC.

BULLET ENGRAVING: The grooves cut into a bullet by barrel rifling. Note: When a bullet travels down the barrel, the grooves (or rifling) leave an imprint on the bullet. The matching of the marks on a bullet to the rifling of a particular firearm is an important tool for law enforcement in determining whether a bullet was fired from a particular firearm.

BULLET, FULL METAL JACKET:  A projectile in which the bullet jacket (a metallic cover over the core of the bullet) encloses most of the core with the exception of the base. They are used mostly for target shooting and military use.

BULLET, HOLLOW POINT:  A bullet with a cavity in the nose, exposing the lead core, to facilitate expansion upon impact. Hollow point cartridges are used for hunting, self-defense, police use, and other situations to avoid over-penetration.

BULLET, WAD CUTTER:  A generally cylindrical bullet design having a sharp shouldered nose intended to cut paper targets cleanly to facilitate easy and accurate scoring.

BULLETPROOF:  An item that can not be penetrated by a bullet.  In common usage, a piece of equipment that is very tuff or hard to break as in a Bullet Proof Action.

BULLETPROOF VEST: Term used to describe protective clothing that is in fact only bullet resistant.

BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM:  Federally funded program to assist Law Enforcement Officers and Jurisdictions in purchasing bulletproof vests and equipment. 
URL: http://www.vests.ojp.gov

BULLET RESISTANT:  Proper term for protective clothing and vest used by Law Enforcement and Military personnel to protect them from the effects of bullets and fragmentation from firearms and explosives.  For additional information on Bullet Resistant equipment ratings see the detail box below.

Bullet Resistance Ratings -  Body Armor Resistance Levels

Classifications

Class I, IIA, II , IIIA+ are for protection from HAND GUNS.

Class IIIA, III, IV are for protection from LONG RIFLES.

Ballistic Resistance Level Ratings from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) 0101.03

The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center has a web site with a variety of relevant information about vests and other public safety equipment at http://www.nlectc.org/. If you would rather call, their toll-free number is 1-800-248-2742.

BULL PUP a.k.a. BULLPUP:  A rifle in which the breech mechanism is set back in the stock so that the rear of the receiver is against the shooters shoulder.  It permits the use of a full length barrel in a firearm which is, overall, shorter than a conventionally stocked firearm of the same barrel length.  Bull Pup is also written "BullPup".

BULL PUP ACTION:  A rifle action, as above where the breech mechanism is recessed back into the stock so that the rear of the receiver is near the butt stock.  This system allows a full length or carbine length barrel in a rifle that has a much shorter over all length.  In a modern assault rifle this "Shorty" design is very effective and quite "handy".  Common Bullpup or Bull Pup assault rifles are the Steyr AUG Model STG77 and the M17S Bushmaster below.

Bushmaster M17S "Bull Pup"

BUTT: The butt is the rear portion of the frame onto which the grip or stock is attached.  Also used to refer to the end of the stock.

BUTT PLATE:  A protective plate attached to the butt or buttstock of a rifle. The "butt plate" was added to wooden stocks to protect them from chipping or splitting when the rifle was grounded or dropped. Original Butt Plates were made of metal with brass and steel being commonly used and ornate gun having gold and silver with inlays and fancy engraving.  The function of the modern butt plate remains the same as in days of old, though they are now used to protect both wood and synthetic stocks. The butt plate is also used to attach recoil pads.  Butt Plate is also written BUTTPLATE and are sometimes referred to as the BUT PAD.

BUTTPLATE:  Same as above. A protective plate attached to the butt or buttstock of a rifle. The "butt plate" was added to wooden stocks to protect them from chipping or splitting when the rifle was grounded or dropped. The function remains though now used to protect both wood and synthetic stocks. The butt plate is also used to attach recoil pads.  Buttplate is also written BUTT PLATE.

BUTT STOCK a.k.a. BUTTSTOCK:  The rear portion of the stock.  The end of the stock. Also written as "buttstock".

BUTT STROKE: To strike someone or something with the butt of a rifle or handgun.

BUTTONED UP:  Term used to state that the hatches and compartments of an armored vehicle are closed and in the combat ready position.

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