California Firearms Safety Certificates (CAFSC) Practice Exam

What type of ammunition is typically referred to as a "bullet"?

1. Shotgun shell

2. Rimfire cartridge

3. Full metal jacket

4. Centerfire cartridge

The correct answer is: Centerfire cartridge

The term "bullet" generally refers to the projectile component of a cartridge that is designed to be fired from a firearm. In this context, the correct answer is related to the terminology associated with different types of ammunition. Centerfire cartridges are typically characterized by their primer being located in the center of the cartridge base. They are used in a wide variety of firearms and are designed to accommodate a variety of bullet types, including full metal jacket rounds. This makes centerfire cartridges the most common type of ammunition in general usage, especially for handguns and rifles, where bullets are often discussed independently of the cartridge. While full metal jacket rounds specifically describe the construction of the bullet—having a soft lead core encased in a harder metal shell—"gun" or "bullet" is more broadly understood as referring to the cartridge itself in this question. Rimfire cartridges, while also containing bullets, are categorized differently and not as commonly referred to by the general public as "bullets" in casual conversation. Shotgun shells, on the other hand, contain multiple projectiles (shot) instead of a single bullet, making them different from what is conventionally understood as a bullet. Understanding this terminology is essential for safety and proper discussion regarding firearms.