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Today is an episode of TSP Rewind, commercial free versions of past podcast episodes.

Today’s episode was originally, Episode-382- All About Ballistics and Ammunition Components and was originally published on February 19, 2010.

I get a very large number of questions about ballistics terminology, cartridge specific questions and a lot of questions from very new or even aspiring first time gun owners. Well today I am going to help you with the “ballistics code” so to speak. Often you can hear a conversation between two experienced rifleman and it sounds almost like a foreign language. So today I will tell not just what many of these terms mean but why they matter and even why some don’t matter that much at all.

Tune in Today as we Discuss…

• What is bullet vs. what is a cartridge vs. what is a case
• What is trajectory
• What is ballistic coefficient
• Why more velocity or a lighter bullet is often not the answer
• What is sectional density
• What is expansion, why does it matter
• What is a magnum round vs. a non magnum round
• What do all the numbers mean
• Why is a 38 Special a “special”
• How can a 38 Special be the same caliber as a .357 magnum
• What is necking up or necking down
• How are most “new” rifle rounds created
• How can a short 308 be almost as powerful as a 30-06

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

• Members Support Brigade
• TSP Gear Shop
• Join Our Forum
• My Favorite Ballistics, Ammo and Reloading Resources (forum post)
• Ron Hood’s Survival.com Magazine

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.