Which part of a cartridge is propelled from the firearm?

• A. Bullet
• B. Primer
• C. Powder
• D. Headstamp

Answer: (A)

What gets propelled from the firearm is the bullet. When a round fires, the primer ignites the gunpowder inside the cartridge case, creating high-pressure gas that pushes the bullet down the barrel and out of the muzzle. The bullet is the projectile—the part designed to travel toward the target. The primer’s role is to start the ignition, not to leave the firearm. The powder simply burns to produce pressure and is consumed during firing. The headstamp is just markings on the base for identification and doesn’t move. The cartridge case may be ejected after firing in many firearms, but it is not the projectile.