Ammunition typical types

Electric Primers,Wireless. This class of primers is not equipped with lead wires that are characteristic of other electric detonators but are likewise activated by an electric power source. This type of primer is exemplified by the M—52 A3 series which was standard for the M—99 cartridge or the 20mm ammunition. A typical composition for these primers is as follows ... 

The weight of primer composition for pistol, revolver, rifle, and shotgun ammunition can range from as little as 0.013 g to as much as 0.352 g depending on the caliber and type of ammunition, but is typically in the region of 0.05 to 0.12 g. 

Despite the search for alternatives to lead styphnate and the considerable experimentation with primer compositions, in the United Kingdom and the United States, the vast majority of modern ammunition contains Sinoxyd type primers with lead styphnate and barium nitrate together typically making up 60% to 80% of the total weight. They also contain some of the following ... 

The nylon-coated bullets from Smith Wesson and the Geco TMJ bul-let/new primer composition, although effective in markedly reducing the lead levels, did not totally eliminate the problem. In 1983, Dynamit Nobel introduced 9 mmP caliber ammunition with a TMJ bullet and a primer free of lead, antimony, barium. The new primer type was called Sintox. A typical Sintox primer composition contains 15% diazodinitrophenol (DDNP) and 3% tetracene as the explosive ingredients, 50% zinc peroxide as the oxidizer, 5% of 40-pm size titanium metal powder, and 27% nitrocellulose as propellant powder.202 As expected, other munitions manufacturers eventually introduced similar ammunition, some with primers that were lead free but containing antimony and barium and others free of lead, antimony, and barium. The objective was to produce ammunition which performed satisfactorily in every way and did not produce any toxic product on discharge. 

Division 1.2—explosives that have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard. Typical examples include certain types of ammunition, mines, and grenades. 

Properly loaded, the two types of primers are almost impossible to distinguish and properly sized should work in any cartridge. Typically Berdan-primed ammunition, especially military surplus rounds, has often used corrosive priming compounds because they are cheaper to use. Boxer-primed ammo now is almost always non-corrosive and non-mercury-containing. 

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