Ball Ammo

Bucksnort1 · February 28, 2015, 07:41 PM

Why is military ball ammo called, "ball" ammo? Is it because of the shape of the powder or does it go back to the days of round musket balls?

loademwell · February 28, 2015, 08:49 PM

I think its more the shape of the ammo. RN is more like the term we use now a days. It could come from the old musket days.

Bart B. · February 28, 2015, 11:23 PM

Yes, round balls in muskets.

Ball is the standard military bullet

Round is the cartridge it's in.

**44 AMP** · March 1, 2015, 12:25 AM

It dates to the round ball fired in rifles and muskets, and is still in use today due to the soldiers penchant for keeping the names they know, and applying them to new things. "Ball" refers to the single ball, as opposed to shot (multiple small balls).

When we adopted the hollow base bullet, designed by Minie', it became the "Minnie ball" in our Civil war slang. Single projectile ammo (bullet) is called "ball" by the military, and has been since they used real balls for bullets.

Today, we understand "ball" ammo to be FMJ. The standard military load.

It has nothing to do with the powder, or even the shape of the bullet today.

February 28, 2015, 07:41 PM	#1
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	Ball Ammo Why is military ball ammo called, "ball" ammo? Is it because of the shape of the powder or does it go back to the days of round musket balls?

March 1, 2015, 12:25 AM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,833	It dates to the round ball fired in rifles and muskets, and is still in use today due to the soldiers penchant for keeping the names they know, and applying them to new things. "Ball" refers to the single ball, as opposed to shot (multiple small balls). When we adopted the hollow base bullet, designed by Minie', it became the "Minnie ball" in our Civil war slang. Single projectile ammo (bullet) is called "ball" by the military, and has been since they used real balls for bullets. Today, we understand "ball" ammo to be FMJ. The standard military load. It has nothing to do with the powder, or even the shape of the bullet today. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 28, 2015, 08:49 PM	#2
loademwell Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2012 Posts: 164	I think its more the shape of the ammo. RN is more like the term we use now a days. It could come from the old musket days.

February 28, 2015, 11:23 PM	#3
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Yes, round balls in muskets. Ball is the standard military bullet Round is the cartridge it's in.