"Bullet Heads"

A moderator is so called because it moderates the report of a firearm, it does not "silence" the report.
Correct terminology.

In American parlance, the word is "suppressor". Only the guys that would use "heads" in the UK would use the term "silencer" in the US.

SS
 
I
Oddly enough although cartridge cases have NECKS, SHOULDERS and even a case BODY...the term bullet "heads" doesn't seem to have derived from that source. Or am I wrong?

I'm not sure one can be right or wrong among so much conjecture, but my take on this is that the term 'head' used to mean bullet has arisen because of the lamentably-common yet inaccurate and slangy use of the word bullet to mean a complete round or cartridge.
Such use must have started with folk who did not realise that a cartridge-case, and therefore a complete cartridge, already has a head.

That alone should cause us to wonder whether it is sensible to follow a nomenclature-trend started by, or for the convenience of, folk with such a restricted knowledge-base.

As far as the apparent illogicality of it goes, I suspect that the term head for the bit of the case where the headstamp goes predates the concept of necks and shoulders on cartridge-cases.
 
So many questions. this ought to be of use to some. there are other informative videos on the link, funny I cant find any that refer to "bullet heads" though.
 
When a case is formed it starts out typically as a "cup" stamped from a sheet or brass or whatever meterial is being used. The cup is then put through a series of "draws" to lenthen it. The solid portion that remains from the cup is referred to as the "head" of the draw and has carried across to refer to the base of the cartridge as the Head, the place where the headstamp goes.

SS
 
Why do people refer to the projectile that leaves a gun barrel as a "head"or even worse a "bullet head'?
It is a BULLET, its that simple. The head is the base of the cartridge case that houses the primer. Not having a pop at new re-loaders here, there are some rifle builders that describe BULLETS as heads on their stock lists.

not agggggaaaaaiiiiiinnnnnnn
 
At least we call it a seat, rather than a tree stand that you sit in! :lol:

It comes from the expression "take a stand". Common hunting terminology really. If there were hunting traditions in the UK (other than chasing foxes) I guess this would be self evident.

SS
 
My local dealer knows when people ask for a box of `bullet heads` that missiles for bullets and not complete cartridges are required.
I do not give a **** what others call them providing he pops on the counter what I require.
If he was asked for a box of.308 bullets a box of complete cartridges would appear.

HWH.
 
If he was asked for a box of.308 bullets a box of complete cartridges would appear.
Perhaps if more folk could be bothered to ask for the right thing and correct him if he offered the wrong thing, he'd act differently in future.

The path of least resistance of not always the right path.

...missiles for bullets and not complete cartridges...
Cartridges are complete. As for missiles for bullets...
:eek:
 
Until this thread began , I had never heard a 'projectile' referred to as a 'head' before. If I require factory loaded ammunition, I simply say " a box of Winchester .308 155 grain factory match ammo please." or " a box of Hornady .220 Swift 40 grain factories please."
Or " may I have a box of 155 grain .308 Sierra projectiles please." And if one was to ask for a " box of bullets " the serving person would invariably ask " factories or projectiles ? "

Mike.
 
It comes from the expression "take a stand". Common hunting terminology really. If there were hunting traditions in the UK (other than chasing foxes) I guess this would be self evident.
SS

What is evident is your limited knowledge of hunting in all its forms in this country, which is why you come across as a bit of a know-it-all. If I was the type to be rude, I might suggest you 'wind your neck in' or 'get a grip' of yourself, both expressions derived from falconry, itself an ancient sports with many customs and traditions. Traditions which are considerably older than your country, of course. :-)

-JMS
 
What is evident is your limited knowledge of hunting in all its forms in this country, which is why you come across as a bit of a know-it-all. If I was the type to be rude, I might suggest you 'wind your neck in' or 'get a grip' of yourself, both expressions derived from falconry, itself an ancient sports with many customs and traditions. Traditions which are considerably older than your country, of course. :-)

-JMS

+1
 
All the fancy terminology is bloody useless when going into another country with a different language.
A bit of tolerance on an international forum ...with all of them/us foreigners taking part won't go astray either.
edi
 
All the fancy terminology is bloody useless when going into another country with a different language.
A bit of tolerance on an international forum ...with all of them/us foreigners taking part won't go astray either.
edi

Well, personally I blame the foreigners for all the confusion. If the English speaking world had not lazily adopted the French word for little ball we wouldn't be having the opportunity to discuss the nuances of Cartridge parts or Bullet Heads at all…bloody foreigners obviously they plotted to make us waste our time on internet fora :)

Interesting article on Wikipedia the first paragraph of which discusses incorrect terminology, and then goes on to usefully point out why we use the word "rounds"

I also like the inscription found on a lead sling shot bullet:-




Lead sling bullets, ca. 100 g with a winged thunderbolt engraved on one side and the inscription "Take that" (ΔΕΞΑΙ) on the other side. Athens, 4th century BC.

The history of bullets far predates the history of firearms. Originally, bullets were made out of stone or purpose-made clay balls used as sling ammunition, asweapons and for hunting. Eventually as firearms were developed, these same items were placed in front of a propellant charge of gunpowder at the end of a closed tube. As firearms became more technologically advanced, from 1500 to 1800, bullets changed very little. They remained simple round (spherical) lead balls, calledrounds, differing only in their diameter.

The development of the hand culverin and matchlock arquebus brought about the use of cast lead balls as projectiles. "Bullet" is derived from the French word boulette which roughly means little ball
.

Alan
 
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