The L.P.H.

Companion

Module II

FIREARMS

This book is part of a set made by 5 modules

whose aim is to help students in L.P.H.G. to better
understand each topic, with the aid of pictures,
diagrams and summary tables.

March 2021

Cover picture: Gianni Bauce

All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of the authors.

Printed by Lighthouse Print

142 King George Road, Avondale, Harare - Zimbabwe

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 SUMMARY
Firearms and ballistic introduction 5
Outcomes in these studies 5
Safety 6
Important terminology 6
Golden rules 6
“10 Commandments” 6
Precaution on the field 7
Firearms 8
Hand Guns 9
Differences between pistols and revolvers 9
Long Guns 10
Differences between shotguns and rifles 10
Differences between sporting and military rifles 10
Advantages and disadvantages of double barrelled rifles 11
Parts of a firearm 12
Internal parts of a firearm 16
Firearm actions 18
The 8 functions of a bolt action rifle 21
Sights 23
Cartridge or round 25
Types of cartridge 26
The cartridge case 27
The Head-space in cartridge case 28
The Bullet 30
Types of bullets 31
Types of bullet points 35
Others about bullets and cartridges 36
The Primer 37
The Powder 37
How a shot is fired 39
Use of firearms 40
Ballistic phenomena and terminology 40
Short malfunctions 43
Loading a gun and make it safe 43

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 Rifle carrying positions 44
Shooting techniques 45
Shooting positions 44
How to operate a bolt action rifle 48
About trigger 49
Cycling ammunition 50
Handling over and receiving a rifle 50
In the case of serious charge 51
Factors influencing the purchase of a firearm 51
Care and maintenance of a firearm 52
Gun cleaning kit and their function 52
Gun cleaning procedures 53
Why cleaning a firearm is necessary? 53
Ballistic 54
Ballistic definitions 55
Internal ballistic 57
Factors influencing the internal ballistic 57
External ballistic 58
Factors influencing the external ballistic 59
Practical effect on target 60
Terminal ballistic 61
The knock down power of a bullet 61
The hydrostatic shock theory 61
Factors influencing the terminal ballistic 61
Testing firearm 62
Other types of firearms 62
Some useful infos about ammunitions 63
Calibre conversion 63
Shot-shell features 63
Legal aspects of firearm possession 64
Interpretation of terms 64
Key section of the Act 65
Legal aspects of firearms in short 74
Who can or cannot 74
Time-frame to comply with legal obligations 75
Validity of firearm certificates 75
Forms to be filled to obtain firearm certificates 75

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Abbreviations for bullet constructions 76
Ballistic glossary 77
Vital organs in animals 82
Charging speed of dangerous animals 83

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 FIREARMS AND BALLISTIC INTRODUCTION
The module serves as the theory component of the technical knowledge requirement
and the physical firearms handling aspects, and it is aimed in developing and
understanding of firearm safety, maintenance and repair, as well as ballistic training,
terminology and shooting techniques.

OUTCOMES IN THESE STUDIES

A guide or a hunter must be able to proficiently handle his/her firearm during
everyday work as well as during contact situation with potential dangerous game in a
manner that effectively prevents risk of injury to humans and maximizes the effect
should the rifle be used, in the most efficient and safe manner.
This would include the following:
a) Safety handling and maintaining a firearms, in accordance with rules, procedures
and conditions.
b) Safely securing a firearm in accordance with legal requirements.
c) Shooting a firearm in accordance with rules, procedures and conditions.
d) Safe handling rules and drills (and range procedures).
e) The parts, terminology and functions of the relevant firearms.
f) Solid understanding of ballistic.
g)The components, basic function and ballistic capabilities of ammunitions of
relevant calibres.
h) Cleaning the firearm.
i) loading and unloading of the magazine and firearm.
j) Stoppages and malfunctions, and drills.
k) Firearms method of carrying.
l) Conditions of readiness.
m) Firing position and basic fundamental of accuracy.
n) Sight and adjustment for both iron and telescopic sights.
o) Correct shot placement on static and moving target.
p) Control and security.
q) Legal requirements of the use and possession of ammunition and firearms
(Firearms Act, chapter 10:09).

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 SAFETY
When handling firearms, safety is of paramount importance.
Safety rules alone cannot prevent an accident; accidents are prevented only if rules
are applied all the time, by people who use firearms, without exceptions.
Firearms safety rules are, without exception, preceded by word “Always” or “Never”
as it is appropriate to the statement: the reason is because there should be no
exceptions.
You should never become lux and should always carry out safety rules. Keep on
carrying out safety rules, it will make this behaviour automatic.
There are GOLDEN RULES and “10 COMMANDMENTS” of safety in the use of
firearms.

IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY:

Accidental Discharge (AD): this is when a firearm is discharged unintentionally (in

other words, a bullet is shot unintentionally).

Safe Direction: this is a direction in which the firearm should be pointed to ensure
that in the event of an accidental discharge, no person shall be injured or killed.

GOLDEN RULES:
They are the principal rules to follow in use of firearms.

1) When in doubt, do not fire.

2) Never use firearms when it is possible to achieve your objective by other
means.
3) Never use firearms after the objective have been achieved.

“10 COMMANDMENTS”:
They are the rules that must be followed in use of firearms, all the time. They are
more than 10, but the name “10 Commandments” refer to the Bible, in order to stress
their importance.
They are all preceded by the word “Always” or “Never” to enphatize that these rules
must be applied all the time, without exception. All these rules circulates around the
first and most important one.

1) Always treat every firearm as it is loaded.

2) Always control the direction of the muzzle.
3) Never point a weapon at anything unless you intend to shoot it.
4) Always unload guns when not in use.
5) Always be sure of your target and take into account what lays behind it, before
pulling the trigger. A bullet is capable of travelling a distance up to 2 km; you

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 must therefore take into account where the bullet would come to rest in case
you miss your intended target or if the bullet passes through the target.
6) Never climb a fence or a tree or jump in a ditch with a loaded firearm and never
pull it toward you by the muzzle.
7) Always be sure that the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
8) Never shoot at a flat hard surface, including water, for target practice. The
bouncing of a bullet against a hard surface - by which it changes trajectory in
an unpredictable way, still maintaining a certain energy - its is called
RECOCHET, which is a French word.
9) Always store your guns and ammunitions separately, beyond reach of children
and untrusted adults.
10) Always avoid alcohol and drugs before or during shooting.
11) Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
12) Always ensure the weapon is in perfect working order.
13) Always unload a firearm before handling it over to someone and never accept a
loaded firearm from someone. Before handling the firearm over, unload the
firearm and in the case of bolt action rifle, hand it over with the action open.
You declare the firearm safe, but the receiver must not take it for granted, and
he must check again.

PRECAUTIONS ON THE FIELD

This precautions have to be carried out always when handling firearms.

1. When guiding, always load your weapon before a walk only when a dangerous
situation is perceived to be developing. Do not chamber a round or cock and
lock it.
2. When hunting, always load, cock and lock your rifle before leaving the vehicle.
3. Be always aware where the muzzle is pointing at, either the weapon is
unloaded or not.
4. If possible, handle weapon over fences, when there's any difficult in any
movement.
5. Identify your target 100%.
6. Ensure you know what is behind your target and where the bullet will stop.
7. Take care to not shoot other animals or people by mistake when shooting at
moving targets.
8. Warn your group if possible before firing.
9. Take care of your weapon and ensure it isn't dropped, knocked or bumped.
Should it happens, carry out your general safety check.
10.Check barrel for obstruction.
11.Carry and handle your own weapon.
12.Never rest the muzzle on your foot or place your hands over the muzzle.

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 FIREARMS
A firearm is any lethal barrelled weapon of any description, from which any shot,
bullet or any other missile can be discharged, or which can be adapted for the
discharge of any such shot, bullet or any other missile.

It is not considered a firearm an air-gun, air-rifle, air-pistol, which is not of a type

declared by the Minister, by statutory instruments, to be specially dangerous and the
component parts of any such weapon.

It is not considered ammunition an ammunition for an air-gun o an air-rifle or an air-

pistol, which is not of a type declared by the Minister, by statutory instruments, to be
specially dangerous.

There are two different types of firearms or guns: Long guns and Short guns.
Long guns include shotguns and rifles, whilst short guns include hand-guns (pistols
and revolvers).

LONG GUNS SHORT GUNS/HAND GUNS

Shotguns Pistols
Rifles (military and sporting) Revolvers

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HAND GUNS:
 PISTOLS: pistols are semi-automatic weapon, that are flat and compact and
are easy to carry and conceal, plus they have the ability to fire rapidly.
However they are complex and they do jam. They are loaded via magazine,
fitted in the grip, and can carry more ammunition than a revolver.
As every other weapon they required to be carried unloaded for safety.

 REVOLVERS: revolvers are strong and more reliable, allowing the use of
stronger ammunition than a pistol.
They usually carry 6 rounds in a cylinder type magazine. Loading is manual
and either a single or double action.
They are safer as can be carried loaded without accidental discharge.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS

PISTOLS REVOLVERS

MAGAZINE They have removable magazine. They have a cylinder magazine.

Magazine capacity of 15 rounds. Magazine capacity of 6 rounds.
LOADING They use gas to load itself. They load itself by a rotating
cylinder.
SAFETY They have a safety cage. The have not safety cage.
BARREL Their barrel is not exposed. They have an exposed barrel.
CHAMBER They has one chamber. They have multiple chambers.

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LONG GUNS:
They include shotguns and rifles, and rifles can be sporting or military.
Shotguns use a shotshell containing either a single slug or a large number of small
projectors (shots). Rifles use solid bullet ammunitions.
In the following tables, the main differences between shotguns and rifles, and
sporting and military rifle.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOTGUNS AND RIFLES:

SHOTGUNS RIFLES

Barrel They have smooth barrel. They have riflings or grooves in

the barrel.
Ammunitions They fire a number of pellets. They fire a single solid bullet
head.
Range Shot max effective range: 25 m Long max effective range: 400 m
Aiming No aiming, but pointing to target. Aim using aiming device.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPORTING AND MILITARY RIFLES:

SPORTING MILITARY

Fire Only fire single shots. Fire semi and automatic shots.
Loading Loaded manually. Self loading rifles.
Magazine Most have a fixed magazine. Most have removable magazine.
Carry few rounds Normally carry more rounds
(e.g. .375 = 5 rounds). (e.g. AK47 = 30 rounds; FN = 20
rounds)

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Rifles can also be single barrelled or double barrelled. Double barrelled can either be
side-by-side or over-and-under.

Double barrelled
over-and-under
Double barrelled
side-by-side

They both have advantages and disadvantages when compared to single barrelled
weapon.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DOUBLE BARRELED RIFLES:

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

It has 2 separate firing mechanisms. Are slower to load, compared with 5

When one firing pin fails, you can rely on rounds of ammunitions rifles.
the other (double assurance).
You can fire 2 rounds in quick succession. Regulated for specific loads.
Has a shorter overall length (shorter Less accurate over long distances.
barrels) They are expensive and ammunition is
not easily accessible.
They do not handle pressure well.
They lack primary extraction for sticky
extraction.

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PARTS OF A FIREARM:
8 9
13 7
11 5

10
6
2 12
10
3
1 4
12

1- STOCK:
It is the rear part of a rifle or other firearms, to which the barrel and firing mechanism
are attached. It can be held firmly against the shooter's shoulder when firing. It is
usually made by wood or plastic material, but can also be made by metal frame.

2- HAND GUT (FORE-END, FORE-GRIP, FORE-STOCK):

Usually found in rifle and machine-guns to be hold by one hand and so stabilize the
firearm when firing. It is made up of material that is a bad conductor of heat.
Persistent firing causes the barrel heat to be conducted to all parts touching it,
including the hand-gut.

3- TRIGGER:
The trigger is a mechanism that actuates the firing sequence of a firearm, air-gun,
crossbow or spear-gun when pulled (usually by finger). Pulling the trigger, it releases
a sear which releases the firing pin.
There are 3 types of triggers: hair trigger, single pressure and double pressure.
Hair trigger is a trigger with a very light pull. Single pressure need one single pull to
fire, whilst double pressure need two different steps in pulling.
Usual factory set for a trigger is 4 lbs, and for adjustable trigger is 3 – 5 lbs.

4- TRIGGER GUARD:
It is a loop surrounding the trigger of a firearm and protecting it from accidental
discharge.

5- ACTION:
Firearms can be classified by their action type.
The action of a firearm is made up by parts that load, unload, fire and eject the shot-
shell or cartridge. Action are either single shot or repeating styles.
Single shot firearm must be reloaded each time is fired.
Repeating firearms have extra cartridges or shot-shells ready in a magazine, cylinder
or extra barrel. (see “Firearm Actions”)

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6- BARREL:
It is the longest and most crucial part of a firearm. It is a metal tube through which the
projectile or shot charge is fired. The whole interior of the barrel is called BORE and
it may be rifled or smooth, depending on the ammunition the gun is designed to fire.
• SMOOTH BARREL: the inside surface of the barrel is smooth (barrel of
shotguns). In shotguns the size of the bore is usually defined as GAUGE (e.g.:
Gauge 10, gauge 12) and it's measured in mm.
• RIFLED BARREL: parallel spiral rules are cut into or impressed into the
barrel, in order to make the bullet spin to improve the stability of the trajectory
of the projector.
• The spiral cuts in the bore of a firearm which cause the bullet to spin as it
moves through the barrel, are called GROOVES.
• The spiral raised portion of a bore, remaining after the grooves have been cut or
formed, is called LAND.
• The distance, if any, which a bullet travels upon firing before it contacts the
real portion of rifling or lands, is called FREE BORE or FREE THROATH.

• The diameter of the bore of a barrel, measured land to land, is called

CALIBER and it is measured in inches or millimetres. The calibre it is also the
diameter of the base of the bullet or projector.

7- MUZZLE:
The muzzle is the front end of a barrel, from which the projectile will exit.

8- REAR SIGHT:
The rear device on top of a barrel that allow the gun to be aimed.

9- FORE SIGHT:
The fore device on top of a barrel that allow the gun to be aimed.

10- RECOIL PAD:

It is the plate on the very rear of the stock, which is placed against the shoulder of the
shooter. It is usually made up of softer material than the stock.

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11- NECK:
It is the narrowest part of the stock, where the stock meets the action and the barrel. It
is the part of the stock held by one of the shooter's hand.

12- REAR AND FRONT SLING SWIVELS:

They are the swivels where the sling can be attached.

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14
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13- MAGAZINE:
It is a reservoir of additional ammunition in repeaters. It contains or stores rounds of
ammunition, from which it is directly loaded into the firearm. The most common
types of magazine are: Box, Rotary, Tubular.
• BOX: can be detachable (e.g. in the AK47) or integral (e.g. in the the .375
H&H).
• ROTARY: it contains cartridges in spool that rotate and align each cartridge at
the time with the chamber (e.g. revolver).
• TUBULAR: normally runs below the barrel (e.g. in shotguns) 18

Box - integral Box - detachable Rotary

Tubular

14- MAGAZINE CAGE:

This part, when activated, releases the magazine so that it can be removed. It is
always positioned in close proximity to the magazine.

15- MAGAZINE HOUSING:

This is the hollow in the magazine.

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16- SELECTOR (CHANGE LEVER):
The safety device used to select the type of fire desired (semi-automatic or full
automatic). Most common in sub-machine-guns, assault rifles (e.g. AK47), light
machine-guns and infantry rifles.

17- GAS CYLINDER:

It runs parallel to the barrel and contains the gas piston of the firearm. It is found in
self-loaded rifle and in light machine-guns.

18- CYLINDER:
It consists of a metal cylinder with multiple chambers, positioned between the
hammer and the barrel of the weapon of a firearm. The cylinder is hold in position by
the pin, so that it can be revolved by a mechanism connected to the trigger, so that a
new chamber is aligned with the barrel any time the trigger is activated.

19- CHOKE:
It is a constriction at the end of a shotgun barrel, that regulates the spread of shot.
There are different type of chokes, conventionally indicated by CYL:

–CYL British: it is the most opened pattern.

–Improved CYL: ¼ choke
–Modified CYL: ½ choke
–Improved Modified CYL: ¾ choke
–Full Full CYL: is the narrowest pattern

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INTERNAL PARTS OF A FIREARM:
Are the parts of a firearm involved in the detonation of a cartridge.

f b c a
d

g
e

a- BORE:
The whole interior part of a barrel (see section “6- BARREL”).

b- BREECH OR BREECH BLOCK:

It's the rear end of the barrel, containing the firing chamber. Sometimes used to
indicate the receiver and its working part (action).
Its main function is to seal the chamber of the weapon. It may combine other part of
the weapon as its integral parts, such as the firing pin, the extractor, the injector and
the loading lugs.

c- CHAMBER:
The portion of the barrel which contains or houses the cartridge ready for firing. It is
found at rear most end of the barrel and it is normally slightly thicker, in order to
contain excessive pressure, as the cartridge blast during firing.
The cartridge is inserted into the chamber and sealed in by the breech block held in
position for firing.
With the term chamber pressure is indicated the amount of pressure generated by
firing a round of ammunition in the chamber of a weapon.

d- FIRING PIN:
Is the part of the firearm that strikes the primer of a cartridge to start the ignition of
the powder inside. The firing pin is the main role player in the firing cycle and its
function is to activate the cartridge in the chamber.
Firing pin can be grouped into different types:
• FIXED FIRING PIN: are found in some revolver and most machine-guns.

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 This are normally part of the hammer or a face of breech-block.
• FLOATING FIRING PIN: are found in the breech-block and do not withdraw
when hammer pressure is released.
• SPRING LOADED FIRING PIN: are similar to floating pin, but are
surrounded by a spring, which retracts the firing pin when the hammer pressure
is released.

e- FLOOR PLATE:
Is a hinged or solid metal plate or covering, fastened to the stock from rifle's
underneath.

f- EXTRACTOR:
It is used to hook over the rim of the cartridge case, withdraw it from the chamber, so
that it can be ejected. It is usually found on the side of the breech-block with its claw
forming part of the breech-block.
The following are examples of extractors:
• Gas extractor.
• Lever extractor.
• Claw or Mauser extractor (the claw picks up and extracts).
• Double barrel.
• Overridge type (e.g. .458 Ruger)

g- EJECTOR
Its function is to eject the empty cartridge cage from the body of the firearm after the
extraction. It may be found on the inside of the body or be an integral part of the
breech-block.

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FIREARM ACTIONS:
Firearm actions can be Bolt action, Pump action, Full Automatic, Semi Automatic,
Revolver action, Hinged or Break action, Lever action.

Hinged or Break action

Bolt action

Lever action

Pump action

Semi-automatic

Revolver Semi-automatic

BOLT ACTION:
A bolt action firearm operates like opening and closing a door bolt. The bolt solidly
locks into the breech, making it accurate and dependable. It is the most common type
of action used in the industry. They are the most practical, being robust, very accurate
and available in a wide range of calibres to suit the need. The bolt performs 8
functions, which are the way to operate the action, and they are described in the
section “The 8 Function Of A Bolt Action Rifle”.
A bolt action firearm can be stored safely by storing the bolt separately from the
firearm.

LEVER ACTION:
The lever action firearm has a large metal lever located behind the trigger. The handle
usually forms the trigger guard as well.
To open the action, pull the lever downward and forward, which extracts the cartridge
case from the chamber and ejects it. If a magazine holds extra cartridges, another is

18
immediately ready to be loaded into the chamber.
To unload, push the lever downward and forward repeatedly until no more cartridges
are ejected. To make sure it is unloaded, visually check both the chamber and the
magazine for additional cartridges.

PUMP ACTION:
The pump action firearm is fast and smooth. It allows the shooter to re-cock the
firearm without taking his/her eyes off the target.
To open the action, slide the fore-stock (fore-end) to rear, which extracts the cartridge
from the chamber and ejects it. Sliding the fore-stock forward the muzzle, it closes the
action and release another cartridge for loading.
A pump action firearm would only open after it is fired or if a release lever is pressed
and the fore-stock is pulled to the rear.
To make sure it's unloaded, you must be visually check both the chamber and the
magazine for cartridges.
Pump action is also referred to Slide action or Trombone action.

BREAK ACTION OR HINGED ACTION:

The break action firearm operates on the same principle as a door hinge. It is simple
to load and unload. A hinged action is often chosen as a hunter's first firearm.
Double rifles (over an hunter shotgun) have a break action. To open the action, point
the barrel/s to the ground. A release is pressed and the stock drops downward. This
allows the cartridge or shoot-shell to eject or to be removed manually if the firearm is
loaded. Hinged firearm has a separate barrel for each shot, rather than a magazine.
Most models have 1 or 2 barrels, but some have up to 4. Side-by-side double barrelled
rifles have 2 separate trigger, one for each barrel.
Some models also have an exposed hammer/s which can be dangerous.
Break action rifles do not handle chamber's pressure well and they have a very limited
magazine (2 rounds in double barrel, 1 round in single barrel).

SEMI AUTOMATIC:
As each shot is fired manually, the case of the cartridge or shot-shell is ejected
automatically and the chamber is reloaded automatically.
Pistols, some shot-guns and military weapons are often semi automatic.
Self loading is achieved through gas pressure (gas cylinder and piston), but only one
bullet is released per single pressure.
To open the action, you must pull back the boards operating handle, or the slide on a
pistol.

FULLY AUTOMATIC:
Self loading is achieved in the same way of semi automatic, but it keeps firing rounds
as long as the trigger remains pressed and there are some rounds in the magazine.

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REVOLVING ACTION:
The revolving action takes its name from a revolving cylinder containing a number of
cartridge chambers. One chamber at the time lines up with the barrel as firearm is
fired. Revolving cylinder may rotate either clockwise or under-clockwise.
This type of action is usually found on hand guns, but may be also found in some old
rifle.
Revolving action are referred as either single action or double action.
Single action would fire only after the hammer has been cocked manually (usually
amarcord revolver).
Double action, pulling the trigger both cocks and release the hammer.

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 THE 8 FUNCTIONS OF A BOLT ACTION RIFLE:
A bolt action of a rifle has 8 function which allow it to complete the whole sequences
of firing a shot.

1- EXTRACTION:
When the bolt handle is lifted and pulled rearward, the extractor grips into the
extractor grove of the cartridge and draws the case out of the chamber. This is referred
to “Extraction”.

2- EJECTION:
As the bolt moves fader back, the cartridge is thrown out of the rifle by the ejector.
This is known as “Ejection”.

3- FEEDING:
The barrel contains the chamber into which a cartridge is inserted when the bolt is
moved forward, striping a round from the magazine. This is referred to “Feeding”.

4- CHAMBERING:
The round is now in the firing position into the chamber.

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5- COCKING:
The bolt contains an internal springs which drives the firing pin. The firing pin has
connected sear which is internally connected to the trigger. When the bolt moves
fader forward, it cocks the firing pin.

6- LOCKING:
When the bolt handle is closed, the action is cocked and locked, sealing the chamber.
This is referred as “Cocking & locking” phase of the cycle.

7- FIRING:
The firing pin is driven forward by the released main spring. The tip of the firing pin
hits the cartridge primer, which fires the cartridge. This is referred to as “Firing” and
it is achieved by pulling the trigger.

8- UNLOCKING:
When the bolt is raised, the action is unlocked. This is referred as “Unlocking”.

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 SIGHT:
It is a device used to aim a firearm to a target. There are several types of sights: bead
sight, open sight, aperture or peep sight, telescopic sight (scope), and dot sight.
The point at which sights are set to allow the bullet to strike at the centre of the target
within a give range, is called ZERO.

BEAD SIGHTS:
It is a simple rounded bead set into the top of the barrel, near the muzzle of a shotgun.
The shooter uses the shotgun to point and follow a moving object as you would point
with your finger.

OPEN SIGHTS:
It is a combination of a bead on the front side and a notched rear sight. It is simple
and inexpensive, and can be fix or adjustable.
To aim, you centre the top of the bead within the notch of the rear sight, and line up
with the target.

APERTURE SIGHTS or PEEP SIGHT:

It is a combination of a bead on the front side and a round holed set on the rifle
receiver, close to the shooter eye.
To aim, you centre the target in the rear peep or aperture sight and then bring the front
sight into the centre of the hole.
An aperture sight is more accurate and adjusted more easily than an open sight.

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TELESCOPIC SIGHTS:
It is a small telescope mounted on your firearm. A scope gathers light, brightening the
image and magnifying the target, avoiding the need to align rear and front sights.
The aiming device inside the scope in called the RETICLE.
To aim, you simply look through the scope and line up the cross-hairs, post or dot
with your target.
Telescopic sights are the most accurate, which makes them popular for hunting.
PARALAX is the condition which exist when the reticle of the scope doesn't lay on
the image plane

DOT SIGHTS:
It is a small device mounted on your firearm. A dot sight uses electronic or optical
fibres to project a glowing dot or other mark in front of shooter's eyes. Some dot
sights also magnify target like scopes.

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 CARTRIDGE OR ROUND:
It is a complete unit of assembled ammunition, which comprises of the cartridge case,
bullet, gun powder or propellent and primer.
Is the case of a shotgun, a round comprises of the shot, wad, cartridge case, primer
and gun powder. A loaded cartridge is called Live ammunition.

7 8

3 1 5 6 4
1- CARTRIDGE CASE:
It is the metal case (usually made up of brass) which contains the primer and gun
powder, and grip the bullet.

2- PRIMER:
It's a small metal case containing the detonating mixture used to ignite the propellent.

3- FLASH HOLE:
It's a hole leading from the primer pocket to the inside of the case, through which the
spark caused by the detonation mixture can ignite the gun powder.

4- BULLET:
It is the projectile part of the round. They are shaped or composed differently for a
variety of purposes.

5- GUN POWDER:
The propellent material used in most firearms.
It is rated according to burning speed and it is produced in a variety of types, forms
and brands, intended for specific applications.
There are two type of gun powder: SMOKELESS and BLACK GUN POWDER.

6- CRIMP:
The bending inward of the mouth of the case, in order to grip the bullet or close the
mouth of shell-case.

7- ANVIL:
It is the priming system, in example the fixed metallic point against which the
priming mixture is crushed and there detonating by the action of the firing pin.

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8- SEATING DEPTH:
It is the length of the bullet head contained by the cartridge's neck.

Seating depth

TYPES OF CARTRIDGE:

There are two main types of ammunitions: cartridge and shotshell.

In cartridged ammunition, the cartridge case is made up of metal (usually brass)
which contains the gun powder and grip the bullet.
In shotshell, the cartridge containing projectile(s) designed to be fired in a shotgun.
And the body is generally made of plastic with a metal base, but may be made of
paper or metal.

Pistol round Rifle round Shotshell

(shotguns)

MAGNUM:
It is a load of a cartridge having greater power. A Magnum (Mag) case is usually
longer or may have exceptional powder content in relation to the bullet (e.g. .264
Winchester Mag)

26
 THE CARTRIDGE CASE:
The cartridge case is the part of a cartridge which houses primer, propeller and bullet.
It is made of brass or brass base and cupboard tube (this late designed for shotguns).
In some cases, the base of the cartridge projects as a rim, ensuring that it does not
move forward into the barrel on closing the weapon. In other cases, a bolt or a
shoulder will prevent this forward movement.
The crimp is the fold in the cartridge case which grips the bullet securely in its
cannelure. CRIMP it is the bending inward of the mouth of the case in order to grip
the bullet or close the mouth of shot-shell cases.

Shoulder
Head-space
Rim

TYPES OF CARTRIDGE CASES: Neck

The cartridge case can be made up in different types.

Rimmless Rimmed Belted Semi-rimmed Rebated

BELTED:
It has a raised band around the base which is held during extraction. It is designed for
head-spacing and the “belt” is not there to reinforce the case. They are usually heavy
calibres ammunitions (e.g. .375, .458, .300 Winmag).

REBATED:
It has a body whose diameter is greater than its rim diameter. It is an unusual and
seldom encountered design, in which the rim and case it is smaller in diameter than
the body (e.g. .425 Wesley Richards).

27
RIMMED:
It has a base flange, so the rim protrude beyond the body case (e.g. 12 gage
shotguns, .30, .22). This rim is used for head-spacing and extraction.

RIMMLESS:
It has the same diameter base flange and case-head. The rim does not protrude but it
is grooved into the case-head (e.g. .308, .404 Jeffreys, 8 mm Mauser).

SEMI-RIMMED:
It appears rimless at first glance, but the rim protrudes marginally beyond the case
body (e.g. .25, .32 pistols, .220 swift).

CENTERFIRE:
It's a type of ammunition with centrally located primer. This cartridges contain the
primer mixture at the base of the cartridge. It is reloadable under normal condition.

RIMFIRE:
Primer compound is located in rim of cartridge case. This cartridges contains the
primer mixture within the rim. This type of cartridge is not reloadable under normal
conditions.

THE HEAD-SPACE IN CARTRIDGE CASE:

The head-space is the distance from those surfaces of the barrel or chamber that
position the the cartridge and prevent its fader forward movement into the chamber. In
other words is the distance from the base of the cartridge to the face of the bolt, when
the bolt is locked in the firing position. Heads-pace can be too little (insufficient or
too much (excessive).
In the following picture, different types of head-space in cartridges are shown.

28
SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAD-SPACE:
1. Firing pin won't reach the primer or it would give a light strike.
2. Erratic ignition and poor accuracy.
3. Stiff bolt opening.
4. Stretched cases or partial or complete head separation.
5. Stretched case.

SIGNS OF INSUFFICIENT HEAD-SPACE:

1. Bolt or barrel (in hinged action) difficult to close.
2. Round cannot chambered
3. If round is chambered you will have hard extraction.

29
 THE BULLET:
It is the fore and projectable part of the round. A bullet is not a projectile until is in
motion. It consists of solid thin hardened lead, or, in modern ammunition, a core of
lead covered by a jacket of tough cuprozinc (gliding metal), coated steel or brass.
Some core are composite, containing an aluminium tip of softer nose and jacketed
with incendiary (phosphors or explosive charge, sometimes burning tracer in flight).
The bullet is held in the case by a grooved indentation around the neck (cannelure).
Bullets are shaped or composed differently for a variety of purposes.
In a bullet, the following parts can be recognized:

1 3 4 2 5 6

1- HEEL:
It is the edge of the base of a bullet.

2- OGIVE:
It is the curved or elliptic surface on the front of a bullet, ahead of the bearing surface.

3- CANNELURE:
It is a circumferential groove around a bullet of a cartridge. It is used for
identification, to hold lubricant or to crimp the case into.

4- BEARING SURFACE:
It is the portion of the projector that comes into contact with the bore as it moves
through the barrel.

5- CORE:
It is the interior part of a jacketed bullet, usually made up of a lead alloy.

6- METPLAT:
It is the flat nose of a bullet.

30
TYPES OF BULLET:
SOLID BULLET:
This bullet may be either monolithic (made of a piece of homogeneous metal) or
heavily jacketed with a lead core. In hunting, it is generally a round nose, fully
jacketed bullet, used for heavy dangerous game, and gives deep penetration with no
expansion.
This bullets are designed for big games and the jacket is made from steel and copper-
coat to reduce friction and excessive wean of the barrel. This jacket has the ability to
withstand malformation with the increase thickness of the nose tip or base.
The core makes up the bulk of the bullet mass and size.
Solid bullets are designed to stay on course through and animal, despite any core of
bone being contacted. They are specially designed for thick skin dangerous animals,
to ensure their vital organs are reached, including the brain.
It is designed to penetrate deeply and maintain direction through tough bone
structures.
The straightened base and tip of this bullet prevent fish-tailing which result in bullet
collapses.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOLID BULLETS

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Penetrate deeply into the animal. • Part of the energy is taken away by
• Maintain direction through hard bones bullet as it exits the target (less
or thick skin of large animals. hydrostatic shock).
• On soft skin animals, they have and • When target has been hit and not
advantage of work at closer range, killed, it is difficult to make a follow
bullet placement is precise. up (tracking).
• They do not damage the trophy.
• They have the ability to shut up
through bones, because tip and base
are straightened by thick layer of steel.
• They have greater knock-down power
ability.

31
SOFT NOSED BULLET (SN):
This is a jacketed bullet with the lead core exposed at the tip. T is designed to expand
or mushroom when strikes an animal.
The jacket is made of copper alloy, known as “gliding metal”, which contains the lead
core.
The jacket is open at one end, to allow internal expansion during flight and the
expansion of the front of the bullet on impact with an animal.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOFT NOSED BULLETS

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• All its energy is transferred into the • It damages the trophy if the animal
animal. has been killed to obtain a trophy like
• It has the ability to expand on impact, the skin.
there by opening a big wound channel. • Can deform if it hits hard bone
• They transfer greater shock as a result structures.
of excessive bleeding. • Not convenient for big game, since
• It is easier to track an animal that has you have to aim for vital organ which
been wounded by a soft nosed bullet are normally protected by heavy
because of heavy loss of blood. bones.

HOLLOW POINT BULLET (HP):

This bullet is like a soft nose bullet, with a hollow cavity extending into the core. This
bullet is designed for extremely rapid expansion on a very smallest game.
Mainly used for handguns and vermint calibres. Advantages and disadvantages are the
same of a soft nose bullet.

32
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HP BULLETS

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• All its energy is transferred into the • It damages the trophy if the animal
animal. has been killed to obtain a trophy like
• It has the ability to expand on impact, the skin.
there by opening a big wound • Can deform if it hits hard bone
channel. structures.
• They transfer greater shock as a result • Not convenient for big game, since
of excessive bleeding. you have to aim for vital organ which
• It is easier to track an animal that has are normally protected by heavy
been wounded by a soft nosed bullet bones.
because of heavy loss of blood.

FULL METAL JACKET BULLET (FMJ):

This is a fully jacketed spitzer bullet and is a military design, not suitable for hunting.
Jacketed with tungsten insert, not lead. They are considered a non expanding bullet.
They are pointed like boat-tailed and so, they have a very high ballistic coefficient.
They are designed for long range shooting. This bullet normally tumbles on impact,
there by limiting penetration.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FMJ BULLETS

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• High ballistic coefficient. • Not suitable for hunting.
• Stability on flight (long range • Tumbles on impact, there by limiting
shooting). penetration.
• Very low lead fouling.

33
MONOLITHIC:
A round nose bullet similar to the solid, by homogeneous construction with no
separate jacket and core. Usually made up of lathe-turned brass, it is designed to use
against pachyderms. Good straight line penetration through skin and thick bones. It
has the ability to remain on course and to reach vital organs (e.g. brain) through dense
bones.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MONOLITHIC BULLETS

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Good straight line penetration • Part of the energy is taken away by
through skin and thick bones. bullet as it exits the target (less
• Remain on course and to reach vital hydrostatic shock).
organs through dense bones. • When target has been hit and not
• They do not damage the trophy. killed, it is difficult to make a follow
• They have greater knock-down power up (tracking).
ability.

34
TYPES OF BULLET POINTS:

Bullets are shaped or composed differently for a variety of purposes.

• ROUND NOSE: the end of the bullet is blunted.
• HOLLOW POINT: there is a hole in the bullet that creates expansion when a
target is struck, creating more damage.
• JACKETED: the soft lead is surrounded by another metal, usually copper, that
allows the bullet to penetrate a target more easily.
• WADCUTTER: the front of the bullet is flattened.
• SEMI-WADCUTTER: intermediate between round-nose and wad-cutter.
Sometimes incorrectly called a slug or round.

Bullets are usually identified by abbreviations, which tell you the type of such bullet.
For abbreviations interpretations, see section ABBREVIATIONS FOR BULLET
CONSTRUCTIONS, page 74.

35
OTHERS ABOUT BULLETS AND CARTRIDGES:
HEAD STAMP:
It is the marking on the bottom of a cartridge case designed for a firearm. It usually
tells who manufactured the case and it often also tells the calibre. If it's a military
round, the year of manufacture is often added.

SEATING DEPTH:
It is the length of the bullet head contained by the cartridge's neck.

Seating depth

GAS CHECK:
It is a circumferential groove in a caste bullet which has lubricant in it to stop gasses
escaping past the size of the bullet. The lubricant acts as a sealer in a piston.
It may also be a copper cup on the bottom of the cast bullet, used for the same
purpose.

BULLET WEIGHT:
It is the mass of the bullet and it is measured in grains [Gr].
1 [Gr] = 0.065 [g] 1[g] = 15 [Gr]

36
 THE PRIMER:
It is a small cup which fit into the hollow of the base of the cartridge case. It is usually
a small metal case containing the detonating mixture (lead oxide) used to ignite the
propellent.
It contains a priming compound which is ignited by the pressure generated by the
sudden blow of the firing pin against the anvil. Primer can be centre-fire or rim-fire.

CENTRE-FIRE: the primer is located in the centre of the cartridge base.

RIM-FIRE: the primer is contained within the rim of the cartridge base, in the hollow
of the rim.

TYPES OF PRIMERS:

There are two types of primers: Boxer and Burden.

BOXER:
Is the most common primer type. The case has one ignition hole (flash hole) and anvil
is self-containing the primer.
BURDEN:
It has no anvil and the case has 2 flash-holes (mostly European manufactured).

THE POWDER:
The propellent material used in most firearms.
It is rated according to burning speed and it is produced in a variety of types, forms
and brands, intended for specific applications.
There are two type of gun powder: SMOKELESS and BLACK GUN POWDER.

SMOKELESS POWDER:
It is mainly composed of nitrocellulose, with a percentage of other compounds to
control burning and prevent detonation.

SINGLE BASE POWDER:

It is mainly composed of nitrocellulose, usually tubular-shaped grains.
DOUBLE BASE POWDER:
It containing a percentage of nitroglycerine and it is usually flake-shaped
grains.
MULTI BASE POWDER:
Powder containing other organic nitrates, usually ball-shaped grains.

Smokeless powder do not produce smoke at the muzzle, hence it has an advantage in

37
that it does not obstruct the vision of the shooter.
It is produced in 2 types, Fast Powder and Slow Powder.

FAST POWDER:
It is used for light bullet in short barrel at low velocity (e.g. pistols).
SLOW POWDER:
It is used in long barrel rifle, in large quantity for hight velocity.

BLACK POWDER:
A mechanical mixture of sulphur, charcoal, saltpetre. It is used for muzzle loader.
Disadvantages of the Black powder:
1. Powder compaction and loose bullets, especially in large bore rifle when
the magazine in not empted when shooting, the cartridge remaining and
the bullet pushed back into the case by the recoil and result overcoming
inertia on the magazine. This causes the bullet to loosen and the powder
to get compacted or caked and compressed. Always rotate the
ammunitions.
2. Produces large clouds of grey smoke that obstruct the shooter visual.
Advantages: it is very, very cheap.

NITROCELLULOSE/GLICERINE PROPELLENT:
It is non explosive stable but combustible gun powder used in cartridges. It is ignited
by a primer at the base of the cartridge when it explodes.

38
 HOW A SHOT IS FIRED:
1- Pulling the trigger, the sear releases the firing pin, that, pushed by the spring, hits
the the primer into the cartridge.

2- The primer detonates, producing a spark which travel through the flash hole,
igniting the propellent.

3- The propellent detonates causing a sudden change of status, from solid to gas and,
as a consequence, increasing the pressure in the sealed cartridge case.

4- The developed pressure force the bullet out, leaving the crimp and the cartridge
case, and travelling through the bore of the barrel. If the bore is rifled, the groves of
rifling gives the bullet a spinning rotation that can reach 200 000 RPM and stabilize
the trajectory of the projector.

39
 USE OF FIREARMS
BALLISTIC PHENOMENA AND TERMINOLOGY:
LOCK TIME:
It refers to the time interval between pulling the trigger and exploding the primer.
Several factors affect the lock time:
– Mass of the firing pin assembly.
– Distance the firing pin must travel to reach the primer.
– Tension of the firing pin spring.
– Dirty in the firing pin assembly.

RECOIL:
It is the rearward or backward movement of a firearm as a result of firing.
The following factors affect the recoil.
– Thickness of the butt or recoil pad (surface area over which the recoil is dispersed).
– Shape of the stock: dash-but too low does not suitably absorb recoil and result in
muzzle climp up.
– Front grip or fore-stock grip shape and diameter.
– Shape and diameter of the pistol grip or neck of the stock.
– Calibre.
– Use or presence of a muzzle-break or magnapotting.
– Weight of firearm.
– Burning rate of powder in cartridge.
– Your position while shooting.

MUZZLE LIFT:
Forcing of the muzzle upwards as a result of recoil. It maybe exaggerated by poor
stock design.

FLINCHING:
It is the unwanted motion of your body when you anticipate the recoil and loud bang.
Anticipated recoil is difficult to overcome. When you anticipate recoil, you tend to
push forward or down the muzzle of the gun, which usually results in low shot on the
target.

HOW TO STOP FLINCHING:

–Practice at the range with a low recoil weapon (calibre .22).
–Move only your trigger finger during trigger squeeze. If the other fingers move,
you maybe apply sidewards pressure to the gun which will disturb the sight
alignment.

40
 –Practice good trigger squeeze technique, with every shot. Concentrating and
paying attention and with repetition, your trigger squeeze will improve.
–Wearing better earring protection (the less noise you hear when it goes bang,
the less you flinch).
–Mental distraction. Some people repeat a word or a phrase in their mind to take
their concentration from of the expected flinching.
–Practising good grip and trigger pulling techniques.
–Recognizing that is all in your head. Flinching when shooting is almost entirely
mental and is the anticipation of and the response of something unpleasant such
as the recoil or gunshot noise. Neither of these two things would hurt you.

SHORT MALFUNCTIONS:
A firearm is a machine and therefore can have malfunctions. The following are short
malfunctions that can cause a treatment in the field.

HANGFIRE:
It is the delay between striking of the primer and powder ignition.
CAUSES OF HANGFIRE: usually caused by faulty, old or inadequate primer
(propellent is then not ignited properly). Also caused by insufficient powder, old
ammunition, short firing pin, light spring which so cannot strikes fairly,
HOW DO YOU DETECT A HANGFIRE: the trigger is pulled, but only a click
sound is produced and no shot goes off immediately. Detonation, however occurs
later.
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF HANGFIRE: the rifle must be kept pointing
in a safe down range direction and wait for 10 seconds before attempting to eject the
round.

MISFIRE:
It is the complete failure of cartridge to fire after the primer has been struck.
CAUSES OF MISSFIRE: usually caused by wet powder, safety cage on, broken
firing pin, excessive head-space, obstruction in the bore, wrong cartridge size,
defective primer.
HOW DO YOU DETECT A MISSFIRE: the trigger is pulled, but only a click
sound is produced and no shot goes off.
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF MISSFIRE: treat the misfire as an hangfire;
the rifle must be kept pointing in a safe down range direction and wait for 10 seconds
before attempting to eject the round.

SQUEEB LOAD:
It is a weak detonation which do not impress enough energy to the bullet.
CAUSES OF SQUEEB LOAD: usually caused by insufficient or contaminated
propellent.

41
HOW DO YOU DETECT A SQUEEB LOAD: when the shot is fired, the sound is
more of a “pop”, with a little recoil.
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF SQUEEB LOAD: it has a high degree of
danger, as the shot bullet head maybe lodged inside the barrel and a subsequent shot
fired would result in explosion of the firearm. Check the barrel for obstruction and, if
any, remove it before using the weapon again.

MISFEED OR JAM:
It is when a round does not chamber properly.
CAUSES OF MISFEED: usually caused by non correct insertion of the magazine
(detachable magazine) or defective rounds.
HOW DO YOU DETECT A MISFEED: the action get stuck and the new round is
not fed.
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF MISFEED: do not withdraw the bolt and try
again by forcing the bolt forwards; it would merely pick up the next round from your
magazine and jam it fader. Use your thumb to draw the round back to the magazine
and then re-chamber. Check your magazine and its correct position.

42
LOADING A GUN AND MAKE IT SAFE:
These are the procedures to load the rifle and make it safe before start a walking.
Before starting to describe the procedure, it is important to know the meaning of the
following sentences:

• LOADING YOUR RIFLE: means filling the magazine but not the chamber.
• LOAD AND MAKE SAFE: means magazine full, chamber empty, firing pin
relaxed.
• COCKING THE RIFLE: means chambering your round.
• LOAD IN AMMUNITION: it is referred to the propellent.

LOADING AND MAKE SAFE:

This procedure ensure that the rifle is carried ready for use, but in a safe way, to
prevent accidental discharges. To load and make the rifle safe, follow apply the
following procedure:
1. Move away from other people and ensure that the muzzle is facing in a safe
direction. Insert cartridges into the magazine (one at the time), making sure that
each bullet is seated against the back of the magazine box.
2. Open the bolt and pull it back completely.
3. Hold the rifle with breech open and muzzle facing downwards.
4. Check that chamber is empty, using your baby finger.
5. Press cartridges down to allow bolt to slide over the top of them, and slide the
bolt forwards halfway (without picking up any round from the magazine).
6. Check the chamber again with your baby finger.
7. Slide the bolt the rest of the way forwards, with squeezing the trigger.
8. Lock the bolt end fully, and gently release the firing pin (releasing the trigger).
9. Squeeze the trigger again, maintaining safe muzzle direction, to ensure that the
firing pin is in the relaxed position.

43
RIFLE CARRYING POSITIONS:
These are the positions in which the rifle should be carried during hunting or guiding,
expecting dangerous games. During hunting, rifle should be cocked.

STATE OF READYNESS:
The rifle should be loaded and made safe (magazine full, chamber empty, firing pin
relaxed, finger check).

CARRYING POSITION (STANDARD WALK):

The rifle should be carried in non shooting hand (although fatigue may necessitate
alternating this periodically). Carrying with the magazine plate in your palm will
generally ensure that the weapon is comfortably balanced with barrel facing
downwards. If a sling is used, it should be carried in such way that barrel faces
downwards.

Standard walk Crouching Crouching

Barrel against shoulder

RESTING POSITION:
Never with your hand over muzzle, or muzzle resting on your foot

STANDING:
The recoil pad is on the ground, with barrel facing upwards, away from your
face and any bystander.

CROUCHING:
Same rifle position, but you must rest the rifle barrel against your shoulder if you
need to free up your hands.

44
ALERT POSITION:
Bring recoil pad up to rest against your hip, ensuring swift ready of the rifle should
you require it. This position should be adopted whenever you enter an area where
your visibility is restricted.

READY POSITION:
When anticipate danger, rifle should be held in the ready position: bring the stock up
to your armpit or carry the rifle across your body (keep the stock close to your
shoulder) and your left hand ready on the fore-stock.

SHOOTING TECHNIQUE:
1. Stand slightly side onto target. Left foot forwards for conventional rifle shooter;
reverse for left-handler.
2. Slightly bend the knee of the front foot, to place weight comfortably. This will
help to absorb some of the recoil and prevent you ending up on your back.
3. Leading hand is placed far forward enough to steady (on the fore-stock).
4. Using your palm, firmly left the bolt handle and slide back fully.
5. Slide bolt forward and lock it.
6. Ensure that the recoil pad is pulled firmly into your shoulder, before releasing a
shot.
7. Squeeze the trigger (do not pull it).

Recoil pad into shoulder Leading hand on fore-stock

45
SHOOTING POSITIONS:
There are 4 standard rifle shooting position: prone, standing, sitting and kneeling.

PRONE POSITION:
The shooter lay on the ground with the chest, and both the elbows point on the
ground, supporting the rifle. It is the steadiest of the four positions because it is the
easiest to hold. It is the best position for mastering the fundamental of shooting
(breath control, trigger squeeze, follow through).

SITTING POSITION:
The shooter sits on the ground with folded legs and both arms supported by the legs.
It is the second steadiest position.

KNEELING POSITION:
The shooter place the “trigger pulling” side knee on the ground, whilst the other leg is
bent and supports the fore-stock holding arm. Only one arm (the fore-stock holding
arm) rests on the leg. It is the third steadiest position.

46
STANDING POSITION:
The shooter stand with neither arm supported. It is the most difficult position for
firing and accurate shot. Smooth natural motion will produce the best shot.

47
HOW TO OPERATE A BOLT ACTION RIFLE:
Once you have fired a shot and there's a spent cartridge in the chamber, there are a
number of processes that need to be undertaken, in order to prepare your rifle for
firing another shot. These operations are as follow:

1- LIFT THE BOLT HANDLE

It unlock bolt (unlocking) and it half cock the firing pin.

2- DRAW BOLT BACK FULLY

Spent cartridge is extracted from the chamber by the extractor (extraction). Spent
cartridge thrown clear of the breech by the ejector (ejection). Next cartridge is ready
to be chambered due to upwards pressure by the magazine spring.

3- SLIDE BOLT FORWARD AGAIN

Top cartridge is pushed forward from the magazine and fed into the chamber (feeding
and chambering).

4- BOLT HANDLE PUSHED DOWNWARD

This locks the bolt (locking) and it complete the cocking process by fully cocking the
firing pin.

48
5- TRIGGER SQUEEZE
Sear pulled downward, releasing the firing pin (firing). Firing pin trust forward by
tension of the main spring, causing the shot to be fired and relaxes the firing pin
mechanism.

ABOUT TRIGGER:
TRIGGER CREEP:
It is the movement of the trigger under finger pressure, prior to release of sear.

TRIGGER PULL:
It is the amount of weight required to release the sear there by allowing the hammer
fall on the firing pin.

49
CYCLING AMMUNITIONS:
All ammunitions must be regularly checked and cycled. When cycling the
ammunitions, check the primer of each round if it is undamaged. That's the rounds
clean and undamaged, and that the bullet head is fitted tightly in the cartridge case.
Cycle the ammunition through the action ensures all rounds feed and extract properly.
It must be done outdoors, muzzle safety is critical.
When clearing your magazine of ammunitions by working it through the action, you
should not lock the bolt handle down.

HANDLING OVER AND RECEIVING A RIFLE:

WHEN YOU HANDLE OVER A RIFLE
1- Breech must be open.
2- Small finger is used to depress the magazine follower and inserted into the
chamber to check if there's no round left in the chamber.
3- This is done in full view of the receiver, who is told: -“Rifle safe!”-.

WHEN YOU RECEIVE A RIFLE

1- Ensure that the magazine is empty and use the little finger to check the chamber.
2- Whilst holding the rifle upright with breech open, pull the trigger.
3- Holding the trigger, slide the bolt forward to close and lock the bolt down, to
gently release the firing pin.
4- Then, holding the rifle with both hands in a upright position away from the body,
pull the trigger again (double check).

Rifle safe!

Bolt open

50
IN THE CASE OF SERIOUS CHARGE:
In a serious or critical encounter with a dangerous animal, where the rifle maybe
required, the following are essential:

1- Knowing and practising the correct drill for interpreting and facing the charge
(people and animals).
2- Carry a rifle that is suitable for the job (calibre and type): minimum .375 H&H.
3- Carry ammunitions which are suitable for the rifle and the job (calibre design,
solid).
4- Rifle and ammunition should be well maintained and clean.
5- Practice swift and comfortable operations of the weapon.
6- Be able to deal with and manage a malfunction.
7- Make correct and accurate shot placement for destroying the brain.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PURCHASE OF A

FIREARM:
– Availability of ammunition: better to chose a weapon with ammunition largely
available on the market, like .375 calibre.
– Weight of the firearm: according to the daily activity you may have to carrying
on, an heavy weight firearm can tires you soon.
– Recoil: a strong recoil can affect your shoulder.
– Range of a firearm: according to your daily activities and the environment in
which you operate, better to estimate the average distance or potential target, to
properly choose the best range for your firearm.
– Price of the firearm and ammunition: remember that the price of your firearm is
paid once in a life, whilst the price of ammunition have to be paid every time you
need new ammunition.

51
CARE AND MAINTAINACE OF FIREARMS:
With the exposure to the element such as rain, wind and dust, the weapon needs to be
cleaned regularly. A quick clean every few day should be carried on, and a full strip
and clean should be carried on every few weeks.
If you are caught in the rain and your weapon is wet, ensure that it is dried off
thoroughly and cleaned. If you expect rain, give your rifle a light coat of oil.
After every shooting practice, the weapon has to be cleaned. Before any planned
shooting exercise, you need to check all the screws of your rifle are tight and look for
cracks in the stock.

GUN CLEANING KIT AND THEIR FUNCTION:

A complete cleaning kit is composed by several items.

1- GUN OIL: It gives your weapon a film of protecting oil that counters and prevents
rust.
2- NITRO SOLVENT: Removes tough carbon residues that may build up in the
chamber or in the barrel after shooting.
3- LONDON OIL: Protect the wooden stock against drying out and cracking.
4- 2X4 COTTON LINT CLOTH: Used on a jag for wiping the bore clean and living
a thin film to prevent rust.
5- CLEANING ROD: Rod that drives the jag or brush through the barrel.
6- COPPER BORE BRUSH: For loosening dirt in the chamber and barrel, not to
clean them.
7- BRASS JAG (SLOTED AND SOLID): For use with a 2x4
8- BORE SNAKE: Use to ensure the bore is cleaned and clear from any potential
obstruction quickly and effectively.
8
4 1

6 7

52
GUN CLEANING PROCEDURE:

Using the above described cleaning kit, carry on the following procedure to clean
your rifle:

1- Make sure you are alone.

2- Weapon mus be unloaded and made safe.
3- Remove the bolt from the rifle.
4- Place nitro solvent onto a clean piece of 2x4 and run it trough the bore of the barrel
a few times, using the cleaning rod and the brass jag.
5- Give the bore a good scrub with the bronze wire-brass.
6- Run dry 2x4 patches through the bore, until they come out clean.
7- Run a lightly oiled 2x4 patch through the bore.
8- Wipe off excess dust dust and pay attention to bolt and mechanisms.
9- Put gun oil onto the clean 2x4 piece and wipe the all rifle down, to leave a thin
protective coating of oil.
10- Clean and oil the bolt, ensuring there's no dirty on the bolt face, in the firing-pin
hole, extractor or ejector.
11- Check all parts and workings of the rifle, tighten screws, check the sights if are in
order.
12- Reassemble and place back in the safe.
13- Keep the rifle locked away when not in use a full time.

WHY CLEANING OF FIREARMS IS NECESSARY?

Beside external factors, such as dust and water, can affect the weapon performance,
some internal phenomena also affect the performance of a firearm. The main internal
factors are corrosion, fouling and leading.

CORROSION:
Powder gasses travelling along the barrel can affect the bore surface, depositing
obstructive and corrosive material, which can obstruct and/or originate rust.

FOULING:
Metal or powder residue deposited in the barrel of a firearm as a result of firing.

LEADING:
It is a form of metal fouling which determines lead deposit in the bore from shooting
lead bullet.

53
 BALLISTIC
The ballistic is the study of the natural laws that governs the performance of
projectiles and the use of these laws to predict their performance. Ballistic tells you
what is happening to the bullet head after you pull the trigger and it enables us to
predict the performance of the bullet head by applying the basic natural laws (gravity
and resistance: friction and energy).
It is a broke field of studies and it is broken down into three categories:
1) Interior or internal ballistic.
2) External ballistic.
3) Terminal ballistic.

• INTERNAL
This is what happens from the instant the trigger is squeezed, to the moment bullet
exits the muzzle. It is what happens inside the chamber and the barrel.

• EXTERNAL
This is what happens to the bullet after exiting the muzzle to the point just prior to
hitting the target. Once the bullet exits the muzzle, it follows a flight path known
as “trajectory”.

• TERMINAL
The bullet effect and performance on striking and entering the animal (target).
Bullet performance on or after impact varies with the difference in animal species,
animal size and the condition under which it is hunted.
For this reason, a wide range of calibres and bullets are manufactured each
designed for a specific purpose.
Apart from basic bullet construction, shape and length, the main controlling factor
in bullet behaviour upon impact is the velocity of the bullet.

54
 BALLISTIC DEFINITIONS
TRAJECTORY:
Is the path of a bullet in flight.
The bullet begins decelerating and falling towards the earth the instant it leaves the
muzzle. The rate of deceleration and fall continually increasing.

Trajectory is generally measured in two ways, which are:

1) Mid Range Trajectory Hight (MRT).
2) Drop.

 MID RANGE TRAJECTORY:

Is the distance between the bullets path and the line of sight from the gun to its
aiming point at a specific range.

 DROP:
This is the measurement taken at right angles to the extended centre line of the
bore down to the path of the bullet at any given point.

CALIBRE:
It is the diameter of the bullet head, measured either in millimetres or in inches. .458
has a diameter of 0.458 inches; 9 mm has a diameter of 9 mm or 0.355 inch, but this
last is usually expressed in mm.

55
It is one of the most important factors to take in account when considering “stopping
power”: the larger is the calibre the wider is the wound. Minimum calibre
recommended for areas of operation where thick-skin animals and large carnivores
occur is .375 H&H.

SECTIONAL DENSITY:
A mathematical factor generally expressed as a three place decimal figure,
representing the ratio of bullet mass to its cross-sectional area.
Sectional density is easily calculated and it is the weight of the bullet (W) in Pounds
[lb] divided by the bullet sqared diameter in inches [in].
Many manufacturers list the sectional density for each of their products.
SD = W/D2 [lb/in]

Some examples of SD:

Calibre Weight SD
(D) (W)
[inch] [Grn] [lb] [lb/inch]
.224 55 0.008 .157
.224 62 0.009 .177
.224 77 0.011 .219

BALLISTIC COEFFICIENT:
A number given to a bullet which tells how its shape, length, weight, diameter and
nose design affect its ability, velocity and range against air resistance.

BULLET MASS:
Bullet mass is expressed in terms of Grains and not Grammes.
1 Grain = 0.065 g
1 Pound = 7000 Grains

ENERGY:
Refers to the kinetic energy possessed by a bullet in flight to its ability to do work.

56
MUZZLE ENERGY:
Is the amount of work capable of being done by a projectile at the muzzle of a
firearm. It's is the kinetic energy possessed by the projectile as it exits the barrel.

VELOCITY:
Projectile speed measured in “feet per second” at the muzzle.
Velocity is calculated by using a chronograph. This instrument measure the time
required by a bullet to pass between two precisely measured points.

MUZZLE VELOCITY:
Is the velocity (speed) of the projectile when it exits the muzzle.

REMAINING VELOCITY:
Is the speed of the projectile in a given point of its trajectory.
MUZZLE BLAST:
Is the blast of hot powder gasses from the muzzle of a firearm, following the exit of a
projectile.

DRIFT:
It is the deviation of a projectile due to the rotation or spinning.

WIND DRIFT:
It is the deviation of a projectile from the line of sight due to the wind force.

INTERNAL BALLISTIC:
The internal ballistic of a firearm is what happens from the instant the trigger is
squeezed, to the moment bullet exits the muzzle. It is what happens inside the
chamber and the barrel.
For further information, see chapter “ HOW A SHOT IS FIRED”.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE INTERNAL BALLISTIC:

LOCK TIME: It refers to the time interval between pulling the trigger and exploding
the primer.

IGNITION TIME: it is the rate at which the powder burns.

BARREL TIME: it is the time taken for the bullet to travel through the barrel.

57
 EXTERNAL BALLISTIC

The external ballistic of a firearm is the study of the natural laws governing the
performance of a projectile flight from the time it exits the muzzle until impact, and
the use of these laws to predict their performance and point of impact.
The factors affecting the external ballistic are: sectional density and ballistic
coefficient.

HOW A BULLET MOVES:

A bullet doesn't follow a straight line, but it begins decelerating and falling towards
the earth the instant it leaves the muzzle. This is called “trajectory” and it is shown
by the following diagram.

LOS Line Of Sight

LOD Line Of Departure
MRT Middle Range Trajectory
MRTH Middle Range Trajectory Height
AOD Angle Of Departure
AOE Angle Of Elevation
POI Point Of Impact
CP Culminating Point

BULLET PATH or TRAJECTORY:

It is the location of a projectile above or below the line of sight, that is the actual path
followed by a bullet or projectile in motion. It is also called trajectory, and it follows
a parabolic curve.

LINE OF DEPARTURE (LOD):

It is the particular or actual line followed by a projectile when it leaves the muzzle of
a firearm.

LINE OF SIGHT (LOS):

It is an imaginary line from the eye through the sight (rear and fore) to the target or
point of aim at a given range.

58
FOCUS RADIUS:
It is the distance between rear and fore sights. It is also called Sighting Radius.

MID-RANGE TRAJECTORY (MRT):

This is the distance between the bullet path and the line of sight from the firearm to
the bullet point of aim at a specific range.

MID-RANGE TRAJECTORY HEIGHT (MRTH):

It is the widest distance between the line of sight and the trajectory. In other words,
the distance between the line of sight and the Culminating Point.

TRAJECTORY:
It is the path of a bullet in flight and it is in the form of a parabolic curve.

ANGLE OF DEPARTURE (AOD):

It is the angle formed by the LOD and the base line.

CULMINATING POINT (CP):

It is the highest point attained by a bullet in flight, beyond when it starts to drip.

POINT OF IMPACT (POI):

It is the point where the bullet first hit the target or the ground.

PREDICTED POINT OF IMPACT (PPOI):

Where the trajectory and LOS cross-meet. If the aim is correct, it coincides with the
point the bullet hits the target.

ANGLE OF ELEVATION (AOE):

It is the angle formed by the Line Of Departure (LOD) and the Line Of Sight (LOS).

RANGE OF TARGET:
It is the distance between the exit point of the bullet to the impact point.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE EXTERNAL BALLISTIC:

External ballistic is affected by calibre, sectional density of the bullet, ballistic

coefficient of the bullet, velocity and energy at the muzzle, range of target, angle of
departure, type of bullet, shape and material the bullet is made of, spinning
velocity, external factors such as wind.

59
PRACTICAL EFFECTS ON TARGET:
Zeroing of a firearm is performed according to a certain range of target. Shooting a
target located at a different range, means to get different result on the point of impact.
In other words, if the range of the target is not the one considered in zeroing the
firearm, the shot may result too high or too low depending on the actual range of
target.
Practical effect of ballistic on different ranges of target are shown in the following
diagram.

The diagram shows that, at a range of target ranging from the muzzle to just before
the point blank, the shot will be low (target A).
At a range of target concident with the point blank (target B) and at the zeroing range
of target (target E) the shot will be perfectly in the centre of the target, since LOS and
trajectory concide.
At a range of target between the point blank and the zeroing target (targets C and D),
shot will be high, with the higher shot at the range of the culminating point of the
trajectory(target C).
The only difference between shots B and E is the angle of impact of the bullet, as
shown in the diagram below:

B E

60
 TERMINAL BALLISTIC

The terminal ballistic is the study of the behaviour and effects of a projectile when it
hits the target and then transfer its energy to it. Bullet design and the velocity of
impact largely determine the effectiveness of its impact.

THE KNOCK-DOWN OR STOPPING POWER OF A BULLET:

It refers to the ability to kill effectively and stop a determined charging dangerous
animal. Given similar energy value, the larger the calibre weapon, the greater the
stopping power delivered. Generally, when shooting thick skinned animals, large
calibres (particularly solid bullet) should be used, in order to delivery a great blow to
the point of impact, a part from increasing wound size.
Calibre is the single most important factor in providing stopping power (provided that
the bullet has enough momentum to ensure maximum penetration).

THE HYDROSTATIC SHOCK THEORY:

It is the violent expansion of an animal body fluids and tissues when struck by a
bullet at high velocity, causing massive haemorrhage and shock to the animal.
According to this theory, the knock-down power is due to more than the foot-pounds
of energy released, because the hydrostatic shock needs to be added to this.
Furthermore, this theory implies that the rotational speed of a spinning bullet (which
can be in excess of 200 000 RPM) due to the rifling twist. Is also energy that literally
explodes the body fluids and tissues on impact.

MUSHROOM:
It is the ability of a bullet to expand on or after impact, then by taking the shape of a
mushroom. Mushroom is influenced by the shape and material of a bullet and by the
velocity (see picture below).

FACTORS AFFECTING THE TERMINAL BALLISTIC:

Bullet design and the velocity of impact are the factors which mostly influence the
terminal ballistic.

61
 TESTING FIREARMS

Firearms are tested by manufacturers and by firearm dealers as well. Here some
notions about firearms testing.

MINUTE OF ANGLE (MOA):

MOA is the measurement depicting the accuracy of a firearm. Technically is 1/60 of a
degree, subtended at 100 yards.
A gun that is capable of shooting 3 bullet into a groups smaller than 1 Inch at 100
yards is said to shoot minute of angle groups.
This is most desirable for precision and good hunting shooting. In reality. If a firearm
can't do this, it is not worth keeping.

NITRO PROOFING:
It's a method of proving that a weapon is safe to use, in accordance with factory's
specifications.
This test is done by using 30% to 60% overcharged cartridges in a controlled
environment. If the weapon is OK after subsequent firing and inspection, than is
stamped NITROPROVED (N.P.) on the barrel. This test is not done on every weapon.

OTHER TYPES OF FIREARMS

SIGNALLING APPARATUS:
It is a device which is designed or customarily used for safety purposes or to signal
distress.

SLAUGTHERING INSTRUMENTS:
It is a firearm which is specially designed or adapted for the instantaneous slaughter
of animals or for the instantaneous stunning of animals with a view to slaughtering
them.

62
 SOME USEFUL INFO ABOUT AMMUNITION
CALIBER CONVERSION

Calibre in inches Calibre in millimetres

.220 5.6
.275 7
.300 7.62
.362 9.2
.375 9.52
.458 11.63

Conversion factor: 1 inch = 25.4 mm

SHOT-SHELLS FEATURES

Shot-shell No. of Gauge Wad Shot size Velocity at muzzle

pellets (mm)
(m/s) (ft/s)

LG 8 12 Plastic 9.1 350 1148

SG 9 12 Plastic 8.6 360 1181
Rifled Slug / 12 Plastic SLUG 405 1328
SSG 18 12 Plastic 6.8 360 1181
AAA 44 12 Plastic 5.2 360 1181
BB 87 12 Plastic 4.1 360 1181

63
 LEGAL ASPECTS OF
FIREARMS POSSESSION
Firearms possession is regulated by an Act of the Parliament called “Firearms Act,
chapter 10:09”. It is an Act to make provision for regulating and controlling the
possession, sale, repair and manufacture of firearms and ammunition; and to
provide for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.

INTERPRETATION OF TERMS
Section 1 of the Firearm Act [Chapter 10:09] states the legal interpretation of terms
used in the Act.

2 Interpretation
In this Act [Firearms Act, Chapter 10:09]
“acquiring” means hiring, accepting as a gift and borrowing.
“ammunition” means
a) ammunition for any firearm.
b) grenades, bombs and any other like missiles, whether capable of use with a
firearm or not.
But does not include any signalling apparatus or missiles therefor, other than
missiles for the type of signalling apparatus known as a Verey Pistol.
“Controller” means the Controller of Firearms appointed [among Police officers
by the Commissioner of Police] in terms of section thirty-eight and included
any person to whom the controller has, in terms of subsection (2) of that
section, delegated his functions.
“firearm” means
a) any lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which a shot, bullet or
any other missile can be discharged or which can be adapted for the discharge
of any such shot, bullet or any other missile.
b) the barrel, bolt and chamber or any other essential component part of any
such weapon as aforesaid.
But does not include any signalling apparatus, other than missiles for the type
of signalling apparatus known as a Verey Pistol.
“firearm certificate” means a firearm certificate granted under section six [by the
Controller of Firearms].
“firearm dealer” means a person who by way of trade or business sells, transfers,
repairs, tests or proves firearms or ammunitions.
“Minister” means the Minister of Home Affair and Cultural Heritage or any other
Minister to whom the President may, from time to time, assign the
administration of this Act [Firearms Act, Chapter 10:09].
“signalling apparatus” means a device which is designed or customarily used for
safety purposes or to signal distress.

64
 “slaughtering instrument” means a firearm which is specially designed or
adapted for the instantaneous slaughter of animals or for the instantaneous
stunning of animals with a view to slaughtering them.
“transferring” includes letting on hire, giving, lending and parting with
possession.

KEY SECTIONS OF THE ACT

As follow, you will find some of the most important sections of the Act.

From “Part II” of Firearms Act, chapter 10:09

3 Firearms and ammunition to which Part II applies

(1) This Part shall apply to all firearms as defined in section two, except an air-gun,
air-rifle or air-pistol which is not of a type declared by the Minister, by
statutory instrument, to be specially dangerous and the component parts of any
such weapon.
(2) This Part shall apply to all ammunition as defined in section two, except
ammunition for an air-gun, air-rifle or air-pistol which is not of a type declared
by the Minister in term of subsection (1) to be specially dangerous.

5 Grant of firearm certificate

(1) An application for the grant of a firearm certificate shall be made in such
manner as may be prescribed.
(2) The firearm certificate shall be granted by the Controller if he is satisfied that
the applicant has a good reason for purchasing, acquiring or having in
possession that firearm or ammunition in respect of which the application is
made, and can be permitted to have in his possession that firearm or
ammunition without danger to the public safety or to the peace.
Provided that a firearm certificate shall not be granted to a person whom the
Controller has reason to believe to be prohibited by or under this Act from
possessing a firearm or to be of intemperate habits or unsound mind or to be
for any reason unfitted to be entrusted with such firearm.
(3) […]
(4) One certificate may be issued for both a firearm and the ammunition for such
firearm, but a separate firearm certificate shall be required for each firearm.
(5) Unless previously revoked in terms of subsection (8) or cancelled by order of
court, a firearm certificate shall be valid for three years, calculated from the
first day of the month in which it was issued, and may, on application to the
Controller, be renewed from time to time for further such three-year period.
(6) Any person who applies for the renewal of a firearm certificate in terms of
subsection (5) shall, if so required, produce the firearm to which the firearm
certificate relates for inspection or testing by the Controller or any person
specified by the Controller.
(7) A firearm certificate may, on the application of the holder thereof, be varied

65
 from time to time by the Controller.
(8) A firearm certificate may be revoked by the Controller if he is satisfied that the
holder thereof is of intemperate habits or of unsound mind or is otherwise
unfitted to be entrusted with the firearm to which the firearm certificate relates
or no longer has a good reason for possessing that firearm.

[...]

8 Exemption from holding firearm certificate

(1) [...]
(2) [...]
(3) A person carrying on the business of a firearm dealer and registered as such
under this Act or an employee of such a person may, without holding a firearm
certificate, purchase, acquire or have in his possession a firearm or ammunition
in the ordinary course of that business.
(4) A person carrying on the business of an auctioneer, carrier or storage contractor
or an employee of such a person may, without holding a firearm certificate,
have in his possession a firearm or ammunition in the ordinary course of that
business.
(5) A person may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his possession a
slaughtering instrument and ammunition therefor in any abattoir if employed in
such abattoir.
(6) The proprietor of an abattoir or a person employed by him to take charge of
slaughtering instrument and ammunition therefor for the purpose of storing
them in safe custody at that abattoir may, without holding a firearm certificate,
have in his possession a slaughtering instrument or ammunition therefor for
that purpose.
(7) A person may, without holding a firearm certificate
(a) have in his possession a signalling apparatus of the type known as a Verey
Pistol or ammunition therefor on board an aircraft or at an aerodrome as part
of the equipment of the aircraft or aerodrome, and
(b) remove a signalling apparatus of the type known as a Verey Pistol or
ammunition therefor, being part of the equipment of an aircraft, from one
aircraft to another at an aerodrome or from or to an aircraft at an aerodrome
to or from a place appointed for the storage thereof in safe custody at the
aerodrome, and keep any such apparatus or ammunition at such a place: and
(c) if he has obtained from the Controller a permit for the purpose in the
prescribed form, remove a signalling apparatus of the type known as a Verey
Pistol from or to an aircraft or aerodrome in or from such place and for such
purpose as may be specified in the permit.
(8) Any person may, without holding a firearm certificate
(a) have in his possession a signalling apparatus of the type known as a Verey
Pistol and missiles therefor, on board a boat on Lake Kariba or a harbour at
Lake Kariba as part of the equipment of the boat or harbour, and

66
 (b) remove a signalling apparatus of the type known as a Verey Pistol and
missiles therefor, being part of the equipment of a boat on Lake Kariba, from
one boat to another at a harbour at Lake Kariba or from or to a boat at such a
harbour to or from a place appointed for the storage thereof in safe custody
at that harbour, and keep any such apparatus and missiles at such a place:
and
(c) if he has obtained from the Controller a permit for the purpose in the
prescribed form, remove a signalling apparatus of the type known as a Verey
Pistol from or to a boat on Lake Kariba or harbour at Lake Kariba to or from
such place and for such purpose as may be specified in the permit.
(9)A person carrying a firearm or ammunition belonging to another person
holding a firearm certificate relating thereto may, without holding a firearm
certificate, have in his possession that firearm or ammunition under instruction
from and for the use of that other person for sporting purposes only.
(10) A member of a gun club, rifle club or miniature rifle club may, without
holding a firearm certificate, have in his possession a firearm or ammunition
therefor when engaged as such member in or in connection with target practice.
(11) Any person may, may, without holding a firearm certificate, use a miniature
rifle not exceeding five comma five nine millimetres calibre, commonly known
as “two-two”, and ammunition suitable therefor at a miniature rifle range or
shooting gallery.
(12) A person taking part in a theatrical performance or any rehearsal thereof or in
the production of a cinematograph film may, may, without holding a firearm
certificate, have a firearm in his possession during and for the purpose of the
performance, rehearsal or production.
(13) Any person may, without holding a firearm certificate, have a firearm in his
possession at an athletic or other sporting meeting for the purpose of starting
races at the meeting.
(14) A person who is employed for the purpose of safeguarding persons or
property and who is a member of a class of persons prescribed for the purposes
of that subsection may, without holding a firearm certificate and subject to
such conditions as may prescribed, have in his possession any firearm and
ammunition belonging to his employer and for which his employer holds a
firearm certificate when he is engaged on his duties.
(15) An immigrant or bona fide visitor to Zimbabwe who has obtained from
custom officer a certificate in the prescribed form relating to any firearm or
ammunition that he has brought with him into Zimbabwe may. Without holding
a firearm certificate, have in his possession any firearm or ammunition
described in that certificate for such period, not exceeding three months, as
may be specified in that certificate. Providing that such an immigrant or visitor
may at any time have the validity of a certificate issued in terms of this
subsection extended by the Controller.
(16) A person may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his possession
within his residence or place of business a firearm and ammunition in respect

67
 of which his spouse holds a firearm certificate.
(17) A person may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his possession a
firearm and ammunition issued to him by a municipal council, town council,
local board or rural district council for the purpose of vermin control.
(18) The executor of a deceased estate may, without holding a firearm certificate,
have in his possession any firearm and ammunition belonging to the deceased
person.
(19) A client of a tour operator who
a) conduct hunting safaris for tourists; and
b) is licensed in terms of the Tourism Act [Chapter 14:20]:
may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his possession during a
hunting safari, any firearm and ammunition in respect of which the tour
operator holds a firearm certificate, if the client is accompanied by and uses
the firearm and ammunition under the direction of the person who holds the
firearm certificate.
(20) A person who, in accordance with a written agreement with the state, has
been provided with firearm and ammunition belonging to the State may,
without holding a firearm certificate, possess the firearm and ammunition in
accordance with the term and condition of the agreement.
(21) A person who has obtained from the Controller a permit for the purpose in
the prescribed form may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his
possession a firearm and ammunition in accordance with the term of the permit.
Provided that no such permit shall be issued in respect of or be valid for a
period not exceeding three months and any such permit may at any time be
revoked by the Controller if he is satisfied that the holder would not, on
application, be granted a firearm certificate in respect of such a firearm or
ammunition.
(22) Where the Controller revokes a permit under subsection (21), he shall, by
notice in writing, require the holder of the permit to surrender it, and if the holder
fails to surrender it within fourteen days from the date of the notice he shall be
guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level three or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month or both such fine and such
imprisonment.
Provided that where an appeal is brought against the revocation, this
subsection shall not apply to that revocation unless the appeal is abandoned or
dismissed, and shall in that case have effect as if, for the reference to the date of
the notice, there were substituted a reference to the date on which the appeal was
abandoned or dismissed.
(23) If any person makes any statement which he knows to be false for the
purpose of procuring, whether for himself or any other person, the grant or
renewal of a permit under subsection (21), he shall be guilty of an offence and
liable to a fine not exceeding level six or to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding one year, or to both such fine or such imprisonment.
(24) Any person referred to in subsection (14) who contravenes any conditions

68
 referred to in that subsection shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine
not exceeding level five or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six
months, or to both such fine or such imprisonment.

9 Power to refuse firearm certificate or permit unless firearm produced for

inspection and marking
(1)Notwithstanding anything in section Three or eight, the Controller may refuse
to grant a firearm certificate or a permit in terms of subsection (21) of section
eight unless the firearm to which such firearm certificate or permit will, if
granted, relate is produced to him or to a person specified by him for
inspection or testing and for marking if necessary in accordance with the
requirements of subsection (2).
(2)No firearm certificate and no permit in terms of subsection (21) of section eight
shall be granted in respect of a firearm unless such firearm bears a mark or
number of identification or is first marked with such a mark or number by or
under and in accordance with the direction of the Controller.

[…]

12 Production of firearm certificate

(1)Any Police Officer may demand from any person whom he believes to be in
possession of a firearm or ammunition his name and address and the
production of his firearm certificate relating thereto.
(2)If any person upon whom a demand is made in terms of subsection (1) fails,
within seven days thereafter, to produce the certificate or to permit the officer
to read the certificate or to show that he is entitled by virtue of this Act to have
the firearm or ammunition in his possession without holding a firearm
certificate, the officer may seize and detain the firearm or ammunition.
(3) If any person refuses to declare his name and address or fails to give his true
name and address, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not
exceeding level five or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months,
or to both such fine or such imprisonment.

12 Production of firearm and ammunition

(1)Any Police Officer may demand from any person who holds a firearm
certificate or permit under subsection (21) of section eight the production of
any firearm or ammunition to which such certificate or permit relates at such
time and place as such officer may specify for his own inspection or for the
inspection of such other police officer as he may specify.
(2) If any person fails to comply with a demand in terms of subsection (1), he shall
be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or to both such fine or
such imprisonment.

69
13 Penalty for dealing in firearms without being registered
(1) Subject to this section, no person shall, by way of trade or business
a) sell, transfer, repair, test or prove; or
b) accept for sale or transfer or have in his possession for sale, transfer, repair,
test or proof;
any firearm or ammunition unless he is registered under this Act as firearm
dealer.
Provided that it shall be lawful for an auctioneer to sell by auction, and have
in his possession for sale by auction, a firearm or ammunition without being
registered as aforesaid if he has obtained from the Controller a permit for that
purpose in the prescribed form and complies with the terms of the permit.
(2) If any person contravenes subsection (1) or make any statement which he
knows to be false for the purpose of procuring, whether for himself or for any
other person, the grant of a permit under subsection (1), he shall be guilty of
an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level nine or to imprisonment for
a period not exceeding two years, or to both such fine or such imprisonment.

[…]

18 Restriction on sale and repair of firearms and ammunition

(1) No person shall sell or transfer to any other person in Zimbabwe, other than
registered firearms dealer, any firearm or ammunition unless that other person
produces a firearm certificate authorizing him to purchase or acquire it or
shows that he is, by virtue of this Act, entitled to purchase it or, as the case
may be, to acquire it by means of such transfer without holding such
certificate.
Providing that this subsection shall not be construed so as to prevent
a) a person parting with the possession of a firearm or ammunition otherwise
than in pursuance of a contract of sale or hire or by way of a gift or loan to
a person who shows that he is, by virtue of this Act, entitled to have
possession of the firearm or ammunition without holding a firearm
certificate; or
b) the delivery of a firearm or ammunition by a carrier or storage contractor or
an employee of a carrier or storage contractor in the ordinary course of this
business or employment as such.
(2) Every person who sells, lets on hire, gives or lends a firearm or ammunition to
any other person in Zimbabwe other than a registered firearm dealer shall,
unless that other person shows that he is, by virtue of this Act, entitled to
purchase or, as the case may be, to hire, accept as a gift or borrow the firearm
or ammunition without holding a firearm certificate, comply with any
instructions contained in the certificate produced, and in the case of a firearm
shall, within seven days from the date of the transaction, send by registered
post notice of the transaction to the Controller.
(3) No person shall undertake the repair, test or proof of a firearm or ammunition

70
 for any other person in Zimbabwe, other than a registered firearm dealer as
such, unless that other person produces or causes to be produced a firearm
certificate authorizing him to have possession of the firearm or ammunition
without holding such certificate.

[…]

19 Register of transaction for firearms and ammunition

(1) Any person who, by way of trade or business, deals in sells or transfers
firearms or ammunition shall provide and keep a register of transactions in the
prescribed form and shall enter or cause to be entered therein such particulars as
may be prescribed.
(2) Any such entry shall be made within twenty-four hours after the transaction to
which it relates took place and, in the case of a sale or transfer, the person referred
to in subsection (1) shall, at the time of the transaction, require the purchaser or
transferee to furnish particulars sufficient for identification, and shall immediately
enter the said particulars in the register.

[…]

21 Penalty for taking in pawn firearms or ammunition

(1) No person shall take any firearm or ammunition in pawn from any other
person.
(2) If any person contravenes subsection (1) he shall be guilty of an offence and
liable to a fine not exceeding level four or to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

22 Provision as to converting imitation firearm into firearms

(1) No person shall
a) convert into a firearm anything which, though having the appearance of
being a firearm, is so constructed as to be incapable of discharging any
missile through the barrel thereof; or
b) convert any firearm in such a manner that is pressure is applied to the
trigger, missiles continue to be discharged until pressure is removed from
the trigger or the magazine containing the missiles is empty; or
c) fit onto any firearm a silencing device; or
d) alter the length or bore of any firearm; or
e) destroy any firearm;
without having obtained the written permission of the Controller.
(2) If any person contravene subsection (1) he shall be guilty of an offence and
liable to a fine not exceeding level six or to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

[…]

71
From “Part III” of Firearms Act, chapter 10:09

24 Special provision relating to certain types of weapons and ammunition

(1) Subject to subsection (7), it shall not be lawful for any person other than a
person in the service of State in his capacity as such or a person authorized in
writing in that behalf by the Minister or a person of a class for the time being
authorized in that behalf by the Minister by notice in a statutory instrument, to
sell, transfer, purchase, acquire or have in his possession
a) any firearm which is so designed or adapted that is pressure is applied to
the trigger, missiles continue to be discharged until pressure is removed
from the trigger or the magazine containing the missiles is empty; or
b) any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge
of any noxious liquid, gas or similar thing; or
c) any ammunition containing or designed or adapted to contain any such
noxious thing; or
d) any firearm or ammunition specified or any firearm or ammunition of a
class or type specified by the Minister, by notice in a statutory instrument; or
e) any silencing device for a firearm.
(2) If any person contravene subsection (1) he shall be guilty of an offence and
liable to a fine not exceeding level ten or to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding five year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
[…]

26 Restriction on possession of firearms and ammunition by young persons

(1) No person under the age of sixteen years shall purchase or hire any firearm or
ammunition, and no person shall sell or let on hire any firearm or ammunition
to any other person whom he knows or has reasonable grounds for believing
to be under the age of sixteen years.
(2) No person under the age of fourteen years shall have in his possession any
firearm or ammunition to which Part II applies, and no person shall give or
lend any firearm or ammunition to any other person whom he knows or has
reasonable grounds for believing to be under the age of fourteen years.
(3) No person under the age of fourteen years shall have in his possession any
firearm or ammunition to which Part II applies except in circumstances where
he is entitled to have possession thereof without holding a firearm certificate by
virtue of subsection (9), (10) or (11) of section eight, and no person shall part
with the possession of any such firearm or ammunition to any other person
whom he knows or has reasonable grounds for believing to be under the age of
fourteen years except in circumstances where that other person is entitled to
have possession thereof as aforesaid.
(4) If any person contravene this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable
to a fine not exceeding level six or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

72
[…]

26 Loss of firearm or ammunition to be reported

(1) Any person having possession of a firearm or ammunition, whether or not he
holds a firearm certificate therefor or is entitled to have possession thereof
without holding a firearm certificate, shall, if such firearm or ammunition
becomes lost, stolen or destroyed, report such loss, theft or destruction, as the
case may be, as soon as is reasonably practicable and in any event within
twenty-four hours after its occurrence, at the nearest police station.
(2) If any person fails to comply with subsection (1) he shall be guilty of an
offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level six or to imprisonment for a
period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

[…]

38 Appointment of Controller and delegation of powers

(1) The Commissioner of Police shall, for the purposes of this Act [Firearms Act,
Chapter 10:09], appoint a police officer to be the Controller of Firearms.
(2) The Controller may, with the approval of the Commissioner of Police, by
notice in the Gazette
a) delegate any of his functions in terms of this Act in such person as may be
specified in that notice, subject to such conditions as may be specified
therein.
b) withdraw any delegation or vary any conditions imposed in terms of
paragraph (a).

73
 LEGAL ASPECT OF FIREARMS IN SHORT

WHO CAN OR CANNOT

Activity Who

Can be granted of a firearm certificate Any person who:

– Has a good reason to.
– Is fitted for.
– Has temperate habits.
– Has sound mind.
– Is 16 years of age or above.
Cannot be granted of a firearm Any person who:
certificate – Has not a good reason to.
– Is not fitted for.
– Has intemperate habits.
– Has unsound mind.
– Is under 16 years of age.
Revoked Any person who:
– Has no longer a good reason to.
– Is no longer fitted for.
– Has developed intemperate habits.
– Has developed unsound mind.
– Under decision of Court.
Possess of a firearm without a firearm – A registered firearm dealer.
certificate – An employee of a registered firearm dealer.
– An auctioneer, carrier or storage contractor.
(only 11 exceptions are mentioned) – An employee of an auctioneer, carrier or
storage contractor.
– An immigrant or bona fide visitor in
Zimbabwe.
– A spouse of a firearm certificate holder,
within the residence or business place.
– An operator of vermin control incharged by
municipal, town, local board or rural district
council
– The executor of a deceased estate.
– A client of a licensed hunting operator.
– A person under contract with the State, in
posses of a State's firearm (e.g.: Police,
Soldier, etc.).
– An actor on theatrical or cinematograph
performance.

74
 TIME-FRAMES TO COMPLY
WITH LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

Obligation Unit Within

Change of address days 21

Change of occupation days 21
Loss of firearm and/or ammunition hours 24
Surrendering of firearm certificate in case it has been days 14
revoked
Production of firearm certificate or permit upon request days 7
of any Police Officer
Entry of firearm or ammunition transaction in the hours 24
Register

VALIDITY OF FIREARM CERTIFICATES

Certificate Who From who Unit Valid

can obtain it can be granted for

Firearm Certificate Anyone with good Controller Years 3

reason and if the
Controller is satisfied
Temporary Firearm Certificate Immigrant or Custom Months 3
bona fide visitor in officer
Zimbabwe
(e.g.: a foreign
hunters)
Permit from the Controller Anyone Controller Months 3
without holding a firearm
certificate

FORMS TO BE FILLED TO OBTAIN FIREARM CERTIFICATES

Form Certificate Form Certificate

75
 ABBREVIATIONS FOR
BULLET CONSTRUCTIONS
Below are some bullet construction types abbreviations with the manufacturers name
where applicable.

BP = Bronze Point (Remington)

CPE = Copper Point Expanding
FP = Full Patch
HBWC = Hollow Base Wad-Cutter
HSP = Hollow Soft Point
JHP = Jacked Hollow Point (Super Vel)
JSP = Jacketed Soft Point
KK = Kopper Klad (Super Vel)
KKSP = Kling Kore Soft-Point (CIL)
L = Lead
Lu = Lubricated
MAT = Match
MC = Metal Case
N = Noster Partition Jacket
OPE = Open Point Expanding (Hollow Point)
PCL -= Pointed Core-Lockt (Remington)
PL = Power-Lockt (Remington)
PP = Power-Point (Winchester)
PSP = Pointed Soft Point
SPBT = Soft Point Boat Tail
SM = Starkmantel
SP = Soft Point
SPRN = Soft-Point Round-Nose
ST = Silver Tip (Winchester)
SWC = Semi Wad-Cutter
TOSTO = Vom Hofe Torpedo Stop Ring
TIG = Torpedo Ideal Geschoss
TUG = Torpedo Universal Geschoss

H&H = Holland & Holland

Rem = Remington
Win = Winchester

76
 BALLISTIC GLOSSARY
Ammunition: One or more loaded cartridges consisting of a primed case, propellant,
and projectile(s). Three main types are rimfire, centerfire, and shotshell.
Barrel: The metal tube through which a projectile or shot charge is fired. May be
rifled or smooth.
Base: 1. That portion of a cartridge case which contains the primer, usually called the
head. 2. The rear portion of the bullet.
Ballistics: The study of a projectile in motion. Often confused with Firearms
Identification, there are three types of ballistics: Interior – within the firearm, Exterior
- after the projectile leaves the barrel, and Terminal – impact on a target.
Black Powder: The old form of gunpowder invented over a thousand years ago and
consisting of nitrate, charcoal, and sulphur.
Bolt: The locking and cartridge head supporting mechanism of some firearm designs
that contains the firing pin, extractor, and sometimes the ejector.
Bore: The inside of the barrel. "Smoothbore" weapons (typically shotguns) have no
rifling. Most handguns and rifles have "rifling".
Brass: A slang term sometimes used for fired cartridge cases. Breech: The end of the
barrel attached to the action.
Breech face: The area around the firing pin, which is against the head of the cartridge
or shotshell during firing.
Buckshot: Lead or steel pellets ranging in size from .20” to .36” diameter normally
loaded in shotshells.
Bullet: The projectile. They are shaped or composed differently for a variety of
purposes.
"round-nose" - The end of the bullet is blunted.
"hollow-point" - There is a hole in the bullet that creates expansion
when a target is struck, creating more damage.
"jacketed" - The soft lead is surrounded by another metal, usually
copper, that allows the bullet to penetrate a target more easily.
"wadcutter" - The front of the bullet is flattened.
"semi-wadcutter" - Intermediate between round-nose and wadcutter.
Sometimes incorrectly called a slug or round.
Bullet wipe: The discoloured area on the immediate periphery of a bullet hole, caused
by bullet lubricant, lead, smoke, bore debris, or possibly jacket material.
Butt or buttstock: The portion of the gun that is held or shouldered.
Calibre: In Firearms, the diameter of the bore measured from land to land, usually
expressed in hundredths of an inch (.22 cal) or in millimetres (9mm). In ammunition,
a naming system that indicates cartridge dimensions as well as bore diameters, and
can be the same as the Firearm calibre.
Cannelure: A groove (knurled or smooth) around the circumference of a bullet or
cartridge case. Three uses include crimping, lubrication, and identification.
Cartridge: A unit of ammunition, made up of a cartridge case, primer, powder, and
bullet. Also called a "round", or “load”. Sometimes incorrectly called a “bullet”.

77
Cartridge case: The container for all the other components that comprise a cartridge.
Sometimes incorrectly called a shell, shell casing, brass, or a hull.
Centerfire: The cartridge contains the primer in the centre of the case head or base,
where it can be struck by the firing pin of the action.
Chamber: The portion of the "action" that holds the cartridge ready for firing.
Choke: An interior constriction of a shotgun bore at the muzzle for the purpose of
controlling the pattern of the fired shot.
Class Characteristics: Measurable features of a specimen which indicate a restricted
group source. They result from design features and are therefore determined prior to
manufacture.
Clip: A separate cartridge container used to rapidly reload the magazine of a firearm.
Also called a stripper clip.
Cock: Place a firing mechanism (i.e. hammer, or firing pin) under spring tension prior
to firing
Comparison Microscope: Essentially two microscopes connected to an optical bridge,
which allows two objects to be viewed simultaneously with the same magnification.
Cylinder: Part of a revolver that holds ammunition in individual chambers that are
rotated in turn into firing position.
Discharge: To cause a firearm to fire.
Double-action: Pulling the trigger both cocks the hammer and fires the firearm.
Double barrel: Two barrels side by side or one on top of the other, usually on a
shotgun.
Ejector: The mechanism on a firearm which ejects or expels a cartridge or cartridge
case from a firearm.
Extractor: The mechanism on a firearm that withdraws a cartridge or cartridge case
from the chamber of a firearm.
Firearm: An assembly of a barrel and action from which a projectile(s) is discharged
by means of a rapidly burning propellant. Also called a weapon, gun, handgun, long
gun, pistol, revolver, etc.
Firearms Identification: A discipline of Forensic Science which has as its primary
concern to determine if a bullet, cartridge case, or other ammunition component was
fired in a particular firearm to the exclusion of all others.
Firing Pin: That part of a firearm mechanism that strikes the primer of a cartridge to
initiate ignition. Also called a striker.
Firing Pin Impression: The indentation in the primer of a centerfire cartridge case or
in the rim of a rimfire cartridge case caused when it is struck by the firing pin.
Forensic Science: The scientific examination of physical evidence for a court of law.
Gauge: Refers to the diameter of the barrel on a shotgun in terms of the number of
lead balls the size of the bore it would take to weigh one pound (12 gauge is the
diameter of a lead ball weighing 1/12 of a pound.) ".410 gauge" really refers to
caliber, but is worded as such to refer to a shotgun.
Griess Test: A chemical test for the detection of nitrites. It is used to develop patterns
of gunpowder residues (nitrites) around bullet holes.
Grip: The handle of a handgun, the portion of the stock to the rear of the trigger on a

78
long gun.
Gunpowder: Any of various powders used in ammunition as a propellant charge.
Gunpowder Residues: Unburned gunpowder (nitrites), partially burned gunpowder,
and smoke from completely burned gunpowder.
Gunshot Residues: the total residues resulting from the discharge of a firearm;
including gunpowder (nitrite) and primer residues (lead vapour), metallic residues
from projectiles, fouling, etc.
Hammer: A device that strikes the firing pin or cartridge primer to detonate the
powder.
Hammer block: A safety device on some firearms which separates the firing pin from
the hammer except when the trigger is pulled.
Headstamp: Numerals, letters, and/or symbols stamped into the head of a cartridge
case or shotshell case to identify the manufacture, caliber, gauge, or give additional
information.
Individual Characteristics: A pattern of marks produced by the random imperfections
or irregularities of tool surfaces. These random imperfections or irregularities are
produced incidental to manufacture and/or caused by use, corrosion, or damage.
They are unique to that tool and distinguish it from all other tools.
Ignition: The way in which powder is ignited. Modern guns use "primers" that are
"rimfire" or "centerfire".
Lands and grooves: Rifling. Lands are the raised portions between the grooves inside
the barrel after the spiral grooves are cut to produce the rifling.
Magazine: This is a device for storing cartridges in a repeating firearm for loading into
the chamber. It has a spring and follower to feed those cartridges into the chamber of
a firearm. The magazine may be detachable or an integral part of the firearm. Also
referred to as a "clip"
Magnum: An improved version of a standard cartridge that uses the same caliber and
bullet, but has more powder (generally in a longer cartridge case), giving the fired
bullet more energy. Magnum shotgun loads, however, refer to an increased amount of
shot pellets in the shell.
Muzzle: The end of the barrel out of which the bullet comes. Pellet: The small
spherical projectiles loaded in shotshells. Also known as “shot”.
Pistol: Synonym for a handgun that does not have a revolving cylinder, the chamber is
part of the barrel.
Powder: Commonly used term for the propellant in a cartridge or shotshell. Modern
gun cartridges use "smokeless" powder that is relatively stable, of uniform quality,
and leaves little residue when ignited. For centuries, "black powder" was used and
was quite volatile (ignited at low temperature or shock), was composed of irregularly
sized grains, and left a heavy residue after ignition, requiring frequent cleaning of the
bore.
Primer: An explosive substance that ignites when struck to detonate the powder in a
cartridge. "Rimfire" cartridges have a primer mixture crimped inside the base, while
"centerfire" cartridges have a primer mixture in a ‘cup’ in the middle of the base of
the cartridge case.

79
Projectile: An object propelled by the force of gases produced by rapidly burning
gunpowder.
Pyrodex: The trade name of a black powder substitute with similar burning
characteristics, but safer and designed to produce less fouling in the firearm.
Recoil: The rearward movement of a firearm resulting from firing.
Reload: A cartridge or shotshell that has been reassembled with a new primer,
powder, projectile(s), and/or other components.
Receiver: The basic unit of a firearm which houses the firing and breech mechanism
and to which the barrel and stock are assembled.
Revolver: Handgun that has a cylinder with holes to contain the cartridges. The
cylinder revolves to bring the cartridge into position to be fired. This is "single-
action" when the hammer must be cocked before the trigger can fire the weapon. It is
"double-action" when pulling the trigger both cocks and fires the gun.
Rifle: A firearm having rifling in the bore and designed to be fired from the shoulder.
Also called a long gun.
Rifling: The spiral grooves cut or swaged inside a gun barrel that gives the bullet a
spinning motion. The metal between the grooves is called a "land". The spiral can
have either a left or right twist.
Rimfire: The cartridge has the primer distributed around the periphery of the base.
Round: A military term for a cartridge.
Safety: A mechanism or device on an action to prevent firing of the gun and may be
manually operated or is a design feature intended to automatically prevent inadvertent
firings
Shotgun: A shoulder fired (long gun) with a smoothbore designed to fire shotshells
containing numerous pellets or sometimes a single projectile.
Shotshell: A cartridge containing projectile(s) designed to be fired in a shotgun. The
cartridge body is generally made of plastic with a metal base, but may be made of
paper or metal.
Sights: The device(s) on top of a barrel that allow the gun to be aimed.
Silencer: A device that fits over the muzzle of the barrel to muffle the sound of a
gunshot. Most work by baffling the escape of gases.
Single-action: The hammer must be manually cocked before the trigger can be pulled
to fire the gun.
Slug: A term applied to a single projectile loaded into a shotshell.
Smokeless powder: Refers to modern gunpowder, which is really not "powder" but
flakes of nitrocellulose and other substances. Not really "smokeless" but much less so
than black powder.
Sodium Rhodizonate Test: A chemical test to detect the presence of particulate lead or
lead vapor around a bullet hole.
Stock: A wood, metal, or plastic frame that holds the barrel and action and allows the
gun to be held firmly.
Striation: A set of parallel surface contours (scratches or scrapes) on an object caused
by a combination of force and motion.
Submachine gun: A short barrelled automatic firearm, most commonly firing pistol

80
ammunition. It is intended for close-range combat.
Tool: An object used to gain mechanical advantage. Also thought of as the harder of
two objects which when brought into contact with each other, results in the softer one
being marked.
Toolmark, Impressed: A tool is placed against an object and enough pressure is
applied to the tool so that it leaves an impression in the object. The shape of any
individual characteristics can be used to identify the tool with the mark left on the
object.
Toolmark, Striated: A tool is placed against an object softer than itself and with
pressure applied the tool is moved across the object producing a scrape or series of
scratches. The parallel surface irregularities produced by this scraping action are
known as a striations.
Trajectory: The curved path of a projectile from muzzle to target.
Trigger: That part of a firearm mechanism that is moved manually to cause the
firearm to discharge.
Wad: A cylindrical component(s) that is assembled into the head end of a shotshell.

81
 VITAL ORGANS IN ANIMALS

Buffalo Sable

Zebra Gemsbok

Wildebeest Kudu

Eland Impala Warthog

82
 CHARGING SPEED
OF DANGEROUS ANIMALS
RESPONSE TIME ACCORDING TO
CHARGING SPEED DISTANCE
ANIMAL [m]
[km/h] [m/s] 20 15 10 5

40 11.1 1.8 1.35 0.90 0.45

50 13.8 1.45 1.09 0.72 0.36

45 12.5 1.6 0.86 0.80 0.40

56 15.5 1.28 0.97 0.65 0.33

70 19.4 1.03 0.77 0.52 0.26

80 22.2 0.90 0.68 0.45 0.23

MINIMUM SECTIONAL DENSITY

FOR HUNTING GAME
TYPE OF GAME SD [lb/inch]

SMALL .180
MEDIUM .200 - .230
LARGE .270 - .280
VERY LARGE .300

83
NOTES

84