Author: J. Allan Jones

J. Allan Jones obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (1969) from Southern Methodist University and continued graduate studies there until 1971, when he joined the Dallas County (Texas) Institute of Forensic Sciences Crime Laboratory as a firearm examiner. Mr. Jones worked in that capacity until 1987, when he moved to Lewiston, Idaho, as the manager of technical publications for CCI Ammunition and Speer Bullets. He directed ballistics research for and authored Speer Reloading Manual, numbers 12, 13, and 14. Mr. Jones retired from CCI/Speer in 2007.

Introduction

This module primarily covers the development and manufacture of small arms ammunition. Both old and new technologies are reviewed. In addition, the basic principles of handloading and reloading ammunition are addressed, referencing the tools and dies which can leave class and individual toolmarks on the surfaces of cartridges.

Small arms ammunition manufacturing technologies are important to the firearm examiner because this is an area where class characteristics are produced. This should not be confused with the class and individual characteristics that may be produced by the operation of a firearm.

Before discussing how ammunition is made, we will review some basic nomenclature used in ammunition and its manufacturing operations.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this module, the student should be able to

• describe the components of ammunition,
• describe the historical development of propellants, both single and double based,
• describe projectile manufacture methods,
• define bullet jacket types and materials,
• describe jacket manufacture technologies,
• describe the steps in cartridge case manufacture,
• describe the shotshell manufacture process,
• describe the primer manufacture process,
• differentiate between the primer manufacture process for rimfire and centerfire cartridges,
• differentiate between shotshell and cartridge primer manufacture,
• describe the steps in the ammunition assembly process,
• describe the steps in ballistic testing,
• describe the steps in the shotshell assembly process,
• describe the reloading process and how it can be used for firearm identification.

AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors

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