Gunpowder Projectiles Still Lead the Large in Ammo Circles

Ray guns and lasers were touted as the weapons of the future, with Buck Rogers lighting the way, so to speak, on the silver screen and in comic books in the early part of the 20th century.

Although lasers are utilized as weapons on a larger scale, they haven’t been holstered in the style popularized by Mr. Rogers (Buck, not Fred). Just as has been the case for some 1,400 years, gunpowder continues to lead the charge as far as propelling ammo. What is changing is the makeup of cartridges.

With Smart technology increasingly prevalent throughout society, it’s not surprising it’s being utilized with ammo. Smart bullets are equipped with microchips that allow them to alter trajectory in mid-flight. This increases accuracy and effectiveness in hitting nonstationary targets and provides a viable option for quality ammunition.

In the ever-evolving world of ammunition, the 6.8 mm Remington SPC is recognized for its superior range and stopping power compared to the traditional 5.56 mm NATO round. Likewise, the .300 Blackout can be used with both subsonic and supersonic ammunition.

An increasing case is being made for caseless ammo. Instead of a cartridge case holding the primer, propellant and projectile, the primer and propellant are fitted inside or outside the projectile. This produces faster firing rates and less heat generation.

A basic magnetic or coil gun, featuring an electromagnet wrapped around a barrel, is easy to make and possesses the power of a weak air rifle. Placing more electromagnets on the barrel increases the power. The damp spot in the gunpowder is making a safe, high voltage, high-capacity power supply light enough to carry. Such a compact power supply would result in a magnetic weapon comparable or even superior to firearms of a similar weight class.

Regardless of how a projectile is discharged, the goal remains to find the best ammo for shooting. That’s true for hunting ammunition and shooting ammo. For the moment, gunpowder cartridges retain their position atop the ammo charts. Handheld lasers and their ilk, meanwhile, largely remain the domain of science fiction until someone “bucks” that trend.