Gunpowder and the first firearms were invented in China in the 9th Century, where experimenting monks created a mixture that exploded when exposed to an open flame. After invasion by the Mongols, the design was carried throughout the rest of the world where it was widely adapted by various civilizations. Since then, there has been continuous advancement in both firearm and projectile technology to get to the point where we are today. Let’s take a look at the various firearm projectiles used and how they have developed into our modern options.

Fire Lance

Alchemists of the Tang Dynasty (~900 CE) first utilized gunpowder to create what we now refer to as the fire lance. These were long bamboo tubes filled with gunpowder. They would launch flames after lighting a fuse. Additionally, they could fire objects placed in them, such as rocks.

With the bamboo acting as a barrel and a rock for a projectile, these were the crude beginnings of the firearms we had today. Accuracy and range were incredibly limited by technology at the time, but still, you can see the concept was there.

Cast Lead Ball

Early projectile design consisted of a cast metal ball with a spherical shape. The first examples during the 1400’s were made of iron, however, this was quickly swapped to lead which was much easier to produce. These cast balls, specifically designed to be loaded into muskets and other muzzleloaders, were the original bullets. They were absolutely revolutionary.

Due to their low velocity, these balls used an increased size and weight to cause damage, and were often upward of .50 caliber. They were not very aerodynamic and tended to exhibit a ton of drop, arching like a rainbow. Shooters would have to aim with a healthy hold-over to have any hope of hitting something at distance, similar to a cannon.

Conical

In the 1830’s, the Frenchman Henri-Gustave Delvigne designed bullets that were “cylindro-conical.” The elongated body and pointed head served to improve stability during flight. Later, grooves were added to further stabilize the round and improve aerodynamics.

The trick was nailing down the size. The bullets needed to be small enough to load down the muzzle, but large enough to grip the barrel grooves to create a spin.

Minie Ball

In 1841, the Minie Ball was built on the conical design and intended to easily fit within rifles. It incorporated a hollow base and three grooves. The bullet would expand upon firing, causing the grooves to grip the barrel and the projectile to spin. This greatly improved the velocity, range, and accuracy of firearms at the time. The Minie Ball is considered by many to be the first modern bullet and is believed to have changed Civil War history due to its efficacy on the battlefield.

Full Metal Jacket

Further improvement came in 1882 when Swiss engineer Eduard Rubin worked to encase the soft lead core within a tough shell made of copper to create the first full metal jacket (FMJ) bullet. The jacket allowed the projectile to travel faster with less deformation. It also decreased barrel leading, resulting in more repeatable accuracy.

FMJ rounds are still incredibly popular today, especially for training. They are cost-effective to produce and offer dependable performance across a wide range for different firearms.

Spitzer

In 1898, French Captain Georges Raymond Desaleux designed the Spitzer by elongating the bullet further, adding a thinner cylinder atop a thicker one. The layout was intended to minimize air resistance during flight. The design was further improved with the added boat tail base in 1901.

The resulting projectile greatly improved accuracy and allowed for shooting at much longer distances. This new shape, combined with full metal jacket technology, led to what most people today recognize as a bullet. Additionally, when the new Spitzer design was combined with the first machine guns, it changed warfare forever.

Hollow Point

With improved velocity and stability, as well as a protective jacket, came greater penetration. This was useful in some arenas. However, it became a new hurdle to tackle as well. Concerns with overpenetration began to arise with law enforcement officers who may be forced to fire around crowds or in buildings with other occupants. Additionally, FMJ bullets faced limited effectiveness in regard to ballistics and stopping power. A high-velocity projectile could quickly travel through an individual with minimal damage, dumping most of its energy after exiting the body.

The first soft point and JHP projectiles emerged around 1890. The British Dum Dum, so named for the British arsenal in Dum Dum, India where the bullets were developed, were basically hollowed-out FMJ rounds designed to increase velocity and deform on impact. It was found that when the bullet passed through tissue, the deformation would cause an expansion in size and create a larger wound channel. Since then, modern expanding hollow points have come a long way, with many manufacturers developing their own specialized designs to improve effectiveness.

Solid Copper Monolithic

Monolithic bullets are constructed from one solid metal, usually copper, making for an incredibly sturdy projectile. This makes them incredibly effective for hunting certain species and completely non-toxic due to the lack of lead.

The copper is typically stamped into shape, however, some specialized solid bullets are hand-turned on a lathe for precision target shooting. Most are manufactured with failure points pre-formed into their noses to ensure quick and consistent expansion.

The real benefit to ​​a monolithic bullet is that it retains 99% of its original weight, as opposed to around 60% for a standard lead-based FMJ. This means you can start with a lighter bullet pushing a higher velocity that retains more of its weight upon impact than a heavier lead round. Heavier rounds will also become more effective due to the improved weight retention.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back and see how far we’ve come. From primitive fire lances to modern cartridge design, and every step along the way, a strong commitment to advancement has led to where we are now. But we can’t rest on our laurels, we must push forward. I can only imagine what’s in store for firearm projectiles and ammunition design in the future.

Article posted with permission from Cheaper Than Dirt

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