Ammunition

In the context of firearms according to the German Weapons Act, ammunition primarily refers to reloadable cartridges that include a case, a propellant, a projectile, and a primer. There are various types of ammunition for different applications, including blank cartridges, caseless, and pyrotechnic ammunition.

Ammunition can be purchased by hunters with a valid hunting license, sport shooters with a registered firearms ownership card (WBK), and individuals with an ammunition acquisition permit. Freely available ammunition such as blank cartridges and pellets can be purchased without special authorization by individuals over 18 years old.

In the private sector, ammunition can generally only be transported by individuals with the appropriate acquisition authorization and must be protected from unauthorized access. In the commercial sector, special hazardous materials regulations must be observed. (See WaffG)

Without hazardous materials regulations, up to 50 kg gross mass of ammunition can be transported by authorized private individuals in a car, provided it is safely stored in commercial packaging and kept away from ignition sources. Over 50 kg requires a fire extinguisher and the ammunition must be packaged and labeled according to hazardous materials regulations.

Ammunition for rifle cartridges consists of a bullet, a cartridge case with propellant powder, and a primer. For rimfire cartridges, the primer is in the rim of the case, while shotgun cartridges use a brass base with a primer, a cardboard or plastic case, propellant powder, a wad, and the shot load. Modern shotgun cartridges often have a plastic shot cup to hold the pellets together. Shotgun slugs have a protruding projectile tip to avoid confusion with shot cartridges.

For transport to the shooting range, ammunition must be stored separately from the weapon in a dedicated bag or box, preferably in original packaging or special ammunition boxes, to ensure that unauthorized persons cannot access it. It must not be stored in the magazine or rifle case.

Old ammunition should be reported to the responsible regulatory authority, which can then designate specialist companies such as explosive ordnance disposal services for safe disposal or arrange for collection. Small quantities can also be sold by authorized individuals on special online portals.

Grain (abbreviated gr.) is a unit of measurement for the weight of bullets and powder charges, where one grain is approximately 0.0648 grams, and one gram is equivalent to 15.43236 grains. This unit measures the weight of the propellant in a cartridge, which is especially important when loading and reloading ammunition.

Surplus ammunition refers to excess or decommissioned military ammunition that is often sold in large quantities on the civilian market. This typically comes from stockpiles and is therefore often cheaper than newly manufactured ammunition.

HV is the abbreviation for "High Velocity." This is especially important for the small caliber rimfire cartridge .22 lr, as this ammunition allows for different bullet speeds. The loads are marked on the package with corresponding abbreviations, from Z for Zimmer (extra weak) to Hyper Velocity (extra fast).

Subsonic ammunition refers to ammunition designed for use with suppressors, as it reduces the muzzle blast. By limiting the bullet speed to below 330 meters per second, the sonic boom is avoided, resulting in a significantly curved trajectory, as well as reduced range and effectiveness.

Ammunition is measured by the diameter of the bullet and the length of the case, which can be determined with calipers. While bullet diameter is given in millimeters for metric calibers and in inches for Anglo-American calibers, the combination of numbers for shotguns indicates the gauge and case length.

Ammunition can remain usable for many decades if stored properly. Its longevity heavily depends on storage conditions, with dry, cool, and stable temperatures providing the best conditions. High humidity, extreme temperature fluctuations, or frequent mechanical stress can lead to chemical and mechanical deterioration. This affects the material properties and can reduce functionality and reliability, posing serious safety issues. Therefore, extreme caution should be taken with old ammunition of unknown storage conditions.