Definition

Noun: A ball cartridge is a type of general-purpose ammunition. It consists of a cartridge case containing a primer (the ignition component), a single solid projectile (the "ball"), and a full, standard charge of propellant powder.

Usage

This term is used specifically in military, historical, and firearms contexts to describe a standard, complete round of ammunition designed for a specific firearm.

Examples

• The soldiers were each issued thirty ball cartridges for the exercise.
• This vintage rifle was designed to fire a .45-70 ball cartridge.
• The museum's display compared a blank cartridge to a ball cartridge.

Advanced Usage

• The term distinguishes standard ammunition from other types, such as blank cartridges (which have no projectile), tracer cartridges, or armor-piercing cartridges. When a military manual states "load with ball," it typically means to load with standard ball cartridges.
• In historical contexts, "ball" refers to the spherical projectile used in muzzle-loading muskets and early rifles. The term ball cartridge persisted even as bullet shapes evolved.

Variants and Related Words

• Cartridge (n): The general term for a unit of ammunition, comprising a case, primer, propellant, and projectile.
• Ball ammunition (n): A synonymous term for ball cartridge, often used in military logistics and specifications.
• Full metal jacket (FMJ) (n): A common type of bullet used in modern ball cartridges, where a soft core is encased in a harder metal shell.

Synonyms

• Service cartridge
• Standard cartridge
• Ball ammunition

Notes on Meaning

• The "ball" in ball cartridge specifically denotes a non-hollow-point, often full metal jacket, projectile intended for target practice or combat, as opposed to specialized rounds like hollow points or soft points used primarily for hunting.

Noun

1. a general purpose cartridge having a primer and a ball and a full charge of powder