Fall SemeSter 2025 | ammO-45: IntrOductIOn tO
ammunItIOn cOurSe exam PreP 2025–2026 | 250+
VerIFIed PractIce QueStIOnS wIth cOrrect
anSwerS & detaIled ratIOnaleS | cOmPlete u.S.
army Ordnance and exPlOSIVeS SaFety Study
GuIde
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of ammunition?
A. To provide food supplies
B. To serve as a form of currency
C. To propel projectiles for firearms
D. To act as a decorative item
Correct answer: C. To propel projectiles for firearms
Rationale: The primary function of ammunition is to propel projectiles from firearms,
enabling them to function effectively for hunting, sport shooting, or defense.
Question 2:
What are the main components of a cartridge?
A. Bullet, casing, powder, and primer
B. Gunpowder, lead, and casing
C. Bullet, powder, and magazine
D. Casing, primer, and magazine
Correct answer: A. Bullet, casing, powder, and primer
Rationale: A cartridge consists of four main components: the bullet (projectile), casing
(holds the components), powder (propellant), and primer (ignition source).
Question 3:
What is the role of the primer in ammunition?
A. To hold the bullet in place
B. To ignite the propellant
C. To stabilize the projectile
D. To create a seal in the casing
Correct answer: B. To ignite the propellant
Rationale: The primer is a small explosive charge that ignites the propellant when
struck, initiating the combustion process that propels the bullet.
,Question 4:
What type of powder is commonly used in modern ammunition?
A. Black powder
B. Smokeless powder
C. Explosive powder
D. Propellant powder
Correct answer: B. Smokeless powder
Rationale: Smokeless powder is the standard propellant used in modern ammunition
due to its higher efficiency and reduced smoke production compared to traditional
black powder.
Question 5:
What is the purpose of the casing in a cartridge?
A. To provide a grip for the shooter
B. To contain the components and withstand pressure
C. To serve as a decorative element
D. To stabilize the bullet's flight
Correct answer: B. To contain the components and withstand pressure
Rationale: The casing holds all the components of the cartridge together and is
designed to withstand the high pressure generated during firing.
Question 6:
What is a "caliber" in terms of ammunition?
A. The weight of the bullet
B. The length of the cartridge
C. The diameter of the bullet
D. The type of powder used
Correct answer: C. The diameter of the bullet
Rationale: Caliber refers to the internal diameter of the firearm's barrel or the diameter
of the bullet, usually measured in millimeters or inches.
Question 7:
What is "frangible" ammunition designed for?
A. Maximum penetration
,B. Reduced risk of ricochet and over-penetration
C. Long-range accuracy
D. Heavy stopping power
Correct answer: B. Reduced risk of ricochet and over-penetration
Rationale: Frangible ammunition is made of composite materials that break apart upon
impact, minimizing the risk of ricochet and reducing the chance of over-penetration.
Question 8:
What does "match grade" ammunition refer to?
A. Ammunition for hunting
B. High-precision ammunition for competitive shooting
C. Standard military rounds
D. Low-cost training rounds
Correct answer: B. High-precision ammunition for competitive shooting
Rationale: Match grade ammunition is manufactured to higher standards of precision
and consistency, making it suitable for competitive shooting where accuracy is
paramount.
Question 9:
What is the purpose of "hollow point" bullets?
A. To increase velocity
B. To maximize penetration
C. To expand upon impact for greater stopping power
D. To reduce recoil
Correct answer: C. To expand upon impact for greater stopping power
Rationale: Hollow point bullets are designed to expand upon impact, creating a larger
wound channel and increasing their effectiveness for self-defense and hunting.
Question 10:
What does "ballistic coefficient" measure?
A. The weight of the bullet
B. The diameter of the casing
C. The bullet's ability to overcome air resistance
D. The type of powder used
Correct answer: C. The bullet's ability to overcome air resistance
, Rationale: Ballistic coefficient measures how well a bullet maintains its velocity and
trajectory through the air, influencing its accuracy and effective range.
Question 11:
What does "reloading" refer to in ammunition?
A. Disposing of old cartridges
B. The process of assembling new cartridges from components
C. Cleaning firearms
D. Storing ammunition safely
Correct answer: B. The process of assembling new cartridges from components
Rationale: Reloading is the practice of creating new ammunition by assembling the
individual components (bullet, casing, powder, and primer) for reuse, often allowing for
customization and cost savings.
Question 12:
What is "magnum" ammunition?
A. Standard ammunition
B. Low-velocity rounds
C. High-velocity rounds designed for magnum firearms
D. Ammunition with reduced recoil
Correct answer: C. High-velocity rounds designed for magnum firearms
Rationale: Magnum ammunition is characterized by higher pressure and velocity
compared to standard ammunition, designed for magnum firearms to achieve greater
energy and performance.
Question 13:
What is the function of a "wad" in shotgun shells?
A. To ignite the powder
B. To hold the bullet in place
C. To separate the shot from the powder and seal the shell
D. To stabilize the shotgun's recoil
Correct answer: C. To separate the shot from the powder and seal the shell
Rationale: The wad serves as a barrier between the powder and shot in shotgun shells,
helping to contain gas pressure and improve shot patterns when fired.
Question 14:
ammunItIOn cOurSe exam PreP 2025–2026 | 250+
VerIFIed PractIce QueStIOnS wIth cOrrect
anSwerS & detaIled ratIOnaleS | cOmPlete u.S.
army Ordnance and exPlOSIVeS SaFety Study
GuIde
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of ammunition?
A. To provide food supplies
B. To serve as a form of currency
C. To propel projectiles for firearms
D. To act as a decorative item
Correct answer: C. To propel projectiles for firearms
Rationale: The primary function of ammunition is to propel projectiles from firearms,
enabling them to function effectively for hunting, sport shooting, or defense.
Question 2:
What are the main components of a cartridge?
A. Bullet, casing, powder, and primer
B. Gunpowder, lead, and casing
C. Bullet, powder, and magazine
D. Casing, primer, and magazine
Correct answer: A. Bullet, casing, powder, and primer
Rationale: A cartridge consists of four main components: the bullet (projectile), casing
(holds the components), powder (propellant), and primer (ignition source).
Question 3:
What is the role of the primer in ammunition?
A. To hold the bullet in place
B. To ignite the propellant
C. To stabilize the projectile
D. To create a seal in the casing
Correct answer: B. To ignite the propellant
Rationale: The primer is a small explosive charge that ignites the propellant when
struck, initiating the combustion process that propels the bullet.
,Question 4:
What type of powder is commonly used in modern ammunition?
A. Black powder
B. Smokeless powder
C. Explosive powder
D. Propellant powder
Correct answer: B. Smokeless powder
Rationale: Smokeless powder is the standard propellant used in modern ammunition
due to its higher efficiency and reduced smoke production compared to traditional
black powder.
Question 5:
What is the purpose of the casing in a cartridge?
A. To provide a grip for the shooter
B. To contain the components and withstand pressure
C. To serve as a decorative element
D. To stabilize the bullet's flight
Correct answer: B. To contain the components and withstand pressure
Rationale: The casing holds all the components of the cartridge together and is
designed to withstand the high pressure generated during firing.
Question 6:
What is a "caliber" in terms of ammunition?
A. The weight of the bullet
B. The length of the cartridge
C. The diameter of the bullet
D. The type of powder used
Correct answer: C. The diameter of the bullet
Rationale: Caliber refers to the internal diameter of the firearm's barrel or the diameter
of the bullet, usually measured in millimeters or inches.
Question 7:
What is "frangible" ammunition designed for?
A. Maximum penetration
,B. Reduced risk of ricochet and over-penetration
C. Long-range accuracy
D. Heavy stopping power
Correct answer: B. Reduced risk of ricochet and over-penetration
Rationale: Frangible ammunition is made of composite materials that break apart upon
impact, minimizing the risk of ricochet and reducing the chance of over-penetration.
Question 8:
What does "match grade" ammunition refer to?
A. Ammunition for hunting
B. High-precision ammunition for competitive shooting
C. Standard military rounds
D. Low-cost training rounds
Correct answer: B. High-precision ammunition for competitive shooting
Rationale: Match grade ammunition is manufactured to higher standards of precision
and consistency, making it suitable for competitive shooting where accuracy is
paramount.
Question 9:
What is the purpose of "hollow point" bullets?
A. To increase velocity
B. To maximize penetration
C. To expand upon impact for greater stopping power
D. To reduce recoil
Correct answer: C. To expand upon impact for greater stopping power
Rationale: Hollow point bullets are designed to expand upon impact, creating a larger
wound channel and increasing their effectiveness for self-defense and hunting.
Question 10:
What does "ballistic coefficient" measure?
A. The weight of the bullet
B. The diameter of the casing
C. The bullet's ability to overcome air resistance
D. The type of powder used
Correct answer: C. The bullet's ability to overcome air resistance
, Rationale: Ballistic coefficient measures how well a bullet maintains its velocity and
trajectory through the air, influencing its accuracy and effective range.
Question 11:
What does "reloading" refer to in ammunition?
A. Disposing of old cartridges
B. The process of assembling new cartridges from components
C. Cleaning firearms
D. Storing ammunition safely
Correct answer: B. The process of assembling new cartridges from components
Rationale: Reloading is the practice of creating new ammunition by assembling the
individual components (bullet, casing, powder, and primer) for reuse, often allowing for
customization and cost savings.
Question 12:
What is "magnum" ammunition?
A. Standard ammunition
B. Low-velocity rounds
C. High-velocity rounds designed for magnum firearms
D. Ammunition with reduced recoil
Correct answer: C. High-velocity rounds designed for magnum firearms
Rationale: Magnum ammunition is characterized by higher pressure and velocity
compared to standard ammunition, designed for magnum firearms to achieve greater
energy and performance.
Question 13:
What is the function of a "wad" in shotgun shells?
A. To ignite the powder
B. To hold the bullet in place
C. To separate the shot from the powder and seal the shell
D. To stabilize the shotgun's recoil
Correct answer: C. To separate the shot from the powder and seal the shell
Rationale: The wad serves as a barrier between the powder and shot in shotgun shells,
helping to contain gas pressure and improve shot patterns when fired.
Question 14:
