Hunting cartridge. Hunting cartridges 12 caliber

The hunting cartridge differs from the combat cartridge by the difference in the stopping effect of the bullet and the mortality of the defeat. Although firearms have been known since the fourteenth century, for a very long time, military weapons were practically no different from hunting ones. With the development of weapons, the differences became more pronounced: in the design, systems of locks, trunks, lethal force and range of destruction of the target.

Cartridge

At the dawn of firearms, the cartridge resembled a “constructor”, which should be quickly, in a strictly defined order, “assemble” on the battlefield and have time to shoot out of it before the enemy. Separately, gunpowder was poured into the barrel, then a bullet was pushed there, then a wick was set on fire, and finally a shot was fired.

The cartridge itself is defined as ammunition for small arms, charging in one go. The definition of "unitary" means that the ammunition with the help of a shell carries the actual shell (bullet, buckshot, shot), a certain amount of gunpowder and capsules (flammable element). The design may also contain additional details in the form of a container (concentrator) in which shot or buckshot is packed.

Cartridge 12 gauge

Despite the amazing variety of types of hunting weapons, the most common ammunition for them are hunting cartridges of 12 caliber. This figure means that twelve bullets can be made from a piece of lead weighing one pound.

Popularity is simply explained, they are universal and suitable for hunting:

• waterfowl - goose, duck,
• forest game - black grouse, capercaillie, partridge, hazel grouse;
• small beast - fox, hare;
• middle - wild boar, wolf, roe deer.

This caliber is widely used for sports purposes.

Cartridge types

Hunting cartridges of 12 caliber are divided into several types depending on the following characteristics:

1. According to the material from which the sleeves are made:

• metal;
• paper;
• plastic.

2. By type of gunpowder:

• smoky;
• smokeless.

3. By type of charge:

• buckshot;
• fraction;
• bullet.

In addition, there are differences in the quality of the fraction, it can be steel or lead. The hunting cartridge is standard or with an increased powder charge. For each type of hunting, a certain type of equipment is selected.

An important indicator for ammunition will be the length of the sleeve. There are also nuances for each type of charge:

• Shotgun cartridges 12 gauge, sleeve length: 65 mm, 70 mm, 76 mm, 89 mm. They are used in smoothbore weapons for hunting waterfowl, wild game, medium and small animals.
• Card cartridges 12 gauge, sleeve length: 65 mm, 70 mm, 76 mm. Used in smoothbore weapons for hunting medium-sized animals.
• Bullet cartridges 12 gauge, sleeve length: 65 mm, 70 mm, 76 mm. Used in smoothbore weapons for hunting large animals.
  

Surfacing and shot are very similar in appearance and are made of similar materials. The main difference in size. Fraction is called small balls with a diameter of 1.5 mm to 5 mm, everything that is larger is called buckshot. High-quality pellets are centered, the shape is the correct sphere, there are no voids inside. Classification of a fraction subdivides it into 16 sizes (in Russia). The smallest - with a diameter of 1.25 mm, has a number of 12, the largest - 5.00 mm, its number is 0000. Each subsequent number entails a change in the size of the diameter of the fraction by 0.25 mm.

Cartridges for hunting weapons with buckshot are used on large and medium-sized animals. Gun buckshot is represented by coarse shot with a diameter from 5.25 mm to 10.00 mm.

Ammo selection

Depending on the game for hunting, choose the type of projectile:

• Shotgun hunting cartridges. For a charge, use a fraction with a diameter of 1.5 mm to 5 mm. For hunting waterfowl, forest game.
• Card cartridges. For charge use buckshot (coarse fraction) with a diameter of more than 5 mm. They hunt a small beast.
• Bullet cartridges. Bullets are used in several types: arrow with a tail-stabilizer, round, turbine (due to their design they use the flow of oncoming air), arrow-turbine. On a large beast. This is not a complete list of bullets produced in the world, they cannot be accurately calculated. There is a generally accepted system of bullet names for sporting and hunting weapons in all countries. A special simplified abbreviation is provided. The decoding of the name indicates the type of bullet and its design features. For example, the letters on the FMJ pool indicate that the projectile has an all-metal shell. This type is used in sports and hunting.

Marking helps to select the necessary cartridges for hunting weapons. A brief inscription informs the main parameters: purpose (hunting), caliber size, type of gunpowder, fraction number, sleeve length.

Ammo gauges

There are two definitions of caliber:

• bullet diameter;
• the value of the diameter of the barrel of the weapon.

Caliber hunting cartridges in numerical values ​​coincide with the barrel of the weapon. Moreover, the calibers of smoothbore and rifled weapons differ slightly in marking.

Smooth-bore guns are calibrated with an even integer: 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36. The most popular calibers in the world are 12, 16, 20, 28, 32, and 36. Ammunition for him - hunting cartridges of 16 caliber. This gradation makes it easy to pick up shells for weapons.

The caliber of rifled weapons is determined to hundredths of a millimeter. In English speaking countries count in inches. For example, 7.62 mm or 5.6 mm. In the same way, projectiles - hunting cartridges 7.62 are calibrated. The diameter of a rifled bullet must certainly correspond to the diameter of the barrel. Then the bullet acquires a rotational motion.

It’s hard to make a mistake with the size, but you need to be careful with the selection of bullets. English labeling requires some knowledge. The choice depends on the purpose of the charge, it should have the best accuracy at the maximum range or the maximum stopping effect, what game the hunter will get - small or large. Marking will tell you the best option.

Cartridges for sports

Hunting and sporting hunting cartridges differ from combat cartridges in the absence of solid steel cores in bullets. The main objective of such weapons is to hit one single target that does not have protective body armor. A war bullet stitching through large game through, capable of ricocheting off stones or trees, is too dangerous and unpredictable for use in hunting.

To find more specific parameters by which it is possible to clearly distinguish between combat and hunting or sports and hunting ammunition is practically impossible. A huge amount of weapons, different in purpose, but similar in characteristics, leads to the fact that in hunting rifles can be used and live ammunition.

Sports and hunting rifles are almost the same. The difference is that the sports are highly specialized: they have more weight, there is a convenient handle and a special box, cartridges for shooting 12 gauge. In hunting rifles, the scope is somewhat wider.

Ammo Charge

A huge range of ammunition can satisfy almost any needs of hunters and athletes. This choice provides a hunting store. Cartridges are offered both with bullets, and with buckshot or with shot. A significant disadvantage of such products is the reduced mass of gunpowder and the increased weight of the fraction.

At home, ammunition is charged for two main reasons:

• firstly, it is much cheaper than buying finished products;
• secondly, manual manufacturing helps to achieve a significantly better gun battle.

Many hunters, especially those with long experience, prefer to make their own ammunition. On sale there are all the necessary components to make a hunting cartridge:

• Capsules Two types are available: closed for smokeless powder and open for smoke powder. Shelf life is from 3 to 6 years, but if the storage container was leakproof, then the capsules retain their qualities for 10 years.
• Powder. For dosage use scales, the permissible deviation is not more than 0.05 grams. Depending on the cartridge and the type of gun, the type of gunpowder is chosen. The mistake of many beginners is that they believe that the more gunpowder is poured into the cartridge, the more effective the shooting will be. Possible consequences of "busting" of gunpowder - rupture of the barrel, strong recoil, reduced accuracy. On cans with gunpowder for 12 gauge, the maximum weight is indicated.
• Wads. According to the rules, the height of the wad cannot be more than two-thirds of the diameter of the trunk. The material from which the wad is made may be different: felt, plastic, paper, cardboard, leather, hemp. It is a cylindrical cork, the purpose of which is to separate the powder from a bullet, shot or buckshot.
  
• Fraction, bullets, buckshot. Any of the charges can be inserted into hunting cartridges. 12 gauge involves the use of an appropriate bullet and two wads - the primary and secondary. They are set so that there is a gap of 5 millimeters for rolling. In 12-gauge hunting cartridges, a buckshot is used with a diameter of 8 millimeters. The cartridge is equipped as follows: on a wad or a cardboard pad, pour sawdust to the edges, then place the buckshot (four pieces) and tightly compact. Then they repeat the process, only for the third time they use only three buckshots, close them with a gasket and tighten the cartridge. To increase the accuracy of shooting, lay only nine buckshots. Cartridges with a 12-gauge shot are made taking into account the weight of the gun itself. Measurement of a small fraction is carried out using a powder dispenser, and a larger fraction is measured or simply counted. After filling the charge, leave an edge at least 4 millimeters high so that you can twist it. Pressing in with an asterisk requires at least 11 millimeters, and no gasket is required.
• Gaskets. They are made of thick non-rigid cardboard. The optimum thickness is 2.4 millimeters. Purchased pads put in two pieces.
• Sleeves. The sleeve length is carefully chosen: too short - will worsen the fight, too long - can provoke a critical increase in pressure. The cartridge cases can be reused, with the exception of paper ones. Plastic can withstand up to ten shots, metal - the most durable. They need periodic cleaning of oxide and carbon deposits. Dents, cracks, rust and burnouts are signs of bad shells.

Charging hunting cartridges is not an easy and, in a sense, unsafe activity. The presence of flammable gunpowder requires careful and careful handling. Open flame is not permitted.

From the equipment you will need:

• gunpowder dispenser;
• scales and a set of weights;
• special measures for gunpowder and shot;
• cartridge holder;
• UPS - Sidorenko universal device for pressing capsules;
• Navigator, used to send wad.

Finished cartridges are calibrated and stored in a dry place.

Homemade ammunition does not have a guaranteed shelf life. It all depends on the source material. When assembling, old powder and a new capsule can be used, such nuances must be taken into account. If at least one part of the cartridge is expired, it cannot be used, it is simply dangerous.

Smoothbore ammo

Any hunting cartridge can be attributed to one of three main groups:

• For smoothbore weapons, the barrel has a smooth channel. Ammunition for this type of weapon can be bullet, shotgun and shotgun.
• For rifled weapons, the barrel has a helical thread. From it you can shoot bullet and shot cartridges.
• For the "paradoxes" in this type of weapon, the smooth barrel in the muzzle is cut. This design allows you to use all types of cartridges: bullet, shot and card.

Hunting cartridges smooth-bore consist of a cylindrical sleeve equipped with an igniter capsule, a projectile (this can be a buckshot, shot, bullet), powder charge, wad, gaskets.

Shell-free charges made of lead. Efficiency of firing shot and buckshot within 60 meters. Certain types of bullets for smoothbore weapons can stabilize in flight.

Depending on the type of cartridge, it can be used for sporting events or a certain type of amateur or professional hunting.

Ammunition for smoothbore weapons is conventionally divided into:

• small-caliber - 28th, 32nd, 36th;
• medium-caliber - 16th, 20th, 24th;
• large-caliber - 4th, 8th, 10th, 12th.

To date, both weapons and cartridges of caliber 4 and 8 are no longer available. The 10th caliber is rare and has distribution only in the United States. The remaining calibers have varying degrees of popularity and demand among hunters and athletes.

Rifled chucks

Rifled hunting cartridges are used for hunting game with a carbine or rifle. The bullet is equipped with a soft lead core and a hard shell. According to the law, it is forbidden to use armor-piercing and steel cores, explosive and tracer bullets in hunting cartridges.

Modern industry is able to satisfy almost all the requirements of hunters for shooting game of any size at different distances. You can pick up rifled hunting cartridges with different penetrating power and ballistic characteristics.

In stores selling hunting equipment, a competent employee can always advise the buyer on the best ammunition for the available weapons. Do not refuse the help of a specialist, the variety of cartridges is so great that to understand it is not so simple. The right choice of cartridges guarantees success in the hunt. Wrongly selected calibers of hunting cartridges can lead not only to damage weapons, but also injure the shooter himself.

The popularity of individual brands of cartridges 12 caliber

The rating of cartridges consists of reviews of consumers - hunters. They are the main critics of this product. The most common brands of ammunition 12 caliber:

• "Glavpatron" - produced in the city of Tula. Ammunition is reliable, stable, of good quality, reasonable price.
• "Rus" - made in the city of Tolyatti, from Russian components, affordable. A sleeve of 70 mm and a weighed fraction of 32-34 grams are used.
• "Taiga" - produced in the city of Tula. Equipped with bullets and shot.
  
• CJSC Tekhkrim - production in Izhevsk. A very wide selection of high quality cartridges.
• "Magnum" is mainly used when shooting at a distance of up to 50 m. For cartridges, a medium and large caliber shot with a weight of 40-44 grams is used. The recoil from the shot is minimal, the degree of hit is high.
• SCM Industry produces some of the most popular hunting cartridges of 12 caliber. Apply materials of foreign manufacturers. Recommended Fraction Numbers:

- No. 5, No. 6, No. 7 up to 40 meters - on black grouse, woodcock, duck;

- No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 up to 45 meters - on a goose, hare;

- No. 000-1 up to 50 meters - on a fox, hare, raccoon, goose.

• "Tahoe" produce a variety of cartridges. Fraction number 9-4, bullets, buckshot, for guns with a chamber of 70 mm. For athletes in the cartridges use fraction No. 5, 7, 9.
• “Fetter” is one of the most popular brands. They are of high quality and affordable price. For the most different types of hunting, for any game. The cartridges are specially marked, for example, "Capercaillie", "Duck" and others.
• "Clover" is made from high quality raw materials, the packaging has a simple and clear labeling. The peculiarity of this brand is that the sleeves for all types of cartridges are made of plastic, the length is 65-89 mm. The fraction is mainly lead; individual samples are made of steel. Suitable for traditional weapons with a chamber of 70 mm.

The ability to understand the types of weapons and their ammunition has a practical side - it will help to make the right choice and get real pleasure from hunting.