The Three Ps

Projectile – This component of the loaded round of ammunition is usually called the bullet. It is usually referenced by diameter (such as 9mm or .357”), the grain weight of the bullet, and the bullet style (hollow point, full metal jacket, etc.). A bullet is generally made of lead alloy with or without a jacket made of a copper alloy (some are produced with other materials for various purposes including frangible ammunition and lead free ammunition). Starline Brass does not produce bullets.

Powder – Smokeless powder and black powder are the two basic forms of gunpowder. Black powder is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate. Smokeless powder is made with either a nitrocellulose base or a combination of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. Gun powder burns quickly once ignited. Rarely do we see terms other than powder used in the description of this material.  Starline does not produce any powders.

Primer – The primer is a round device that is placed in the center of the “head” area of the cartridge case. The firing pin strikes the primer and ignites the sensitive priming mixture causing a flame to be generated. Rarely do we see other terms used in the description of ammunition primers. Starline Brass does not produce primers.

Anatomy of Ammo | Cartridge Case | The Three Ps | When a Firearm is Fired