Large Caliber Ammunition - Types of Projectiles

A projectile or shell is a missle fired from the muzzle of a gun; it is always the projectile, whether issuing from the muzzle of a Breech-Loading Rifle, using separate ammunition, or from the muzzle of a Rapid-Fire Gun, using fixed, cartridge-case ammunition. Projectiles for guns of and above seven inches in caliber are called major-caliber projectiles. For guns of six-inch caliber and smaller they are called minor-caliber projectiles. The principal function of the projectile is to carry its charge intact to the enemy's most vulnerable point, and its relative efficiency will be in a measure proportional to its carrying capacity. The first projectiles used were stones thrown from slings (afterwards lead bullets were projected in the same way), arrows from the long bow, and darts andjavelins thrown by hand. In the sieges of walled towns, in very early days, ballista, and catapults were used as a species of heavy ordnance, the former to hurl large stones, and the latter, wooden beams shod with iron and often covered with inflammable material. The projectile, as it is understood in modern times, came in with the use of gunpowder in warfare, and developed with the improvements in weapons using it. While lead answered all the purposes in small-arms, it was found too soft for battering with larger guns, and stone shot being not only too light for good flight, but also deficient in tenacity, early gave way to iron.

Projectiles can be broadly classified according to three main types: spin-stabilized, fin-stabilized, and rocket assisted (both fin- and spin-stabilized). Formal military classification is based on the intended use of the projectile and the composition of the explosive charge (i.e., antipersonnel, antitank, and incendiary). Some very significant progress in projectile design has been made in the past few years. The form of all projectiles is approximately the same, namely, that of a hollow steel cylindrical case with pointed head, having a soft metal band near the base which takes the rifling of the gun and gives the projectile the twisting motion which keeps it steady during flight.