Physics of Rifle Shooting Home Introduction Conservation of Momentum Conservation of Energy Bullet Drop Sighting in Bibliography Introduction Firearms have been used for centuries for a variety of purposes ranging from sustainable living, competition, self defense, or just leisure. A rifle is simply a device which fires a projectile. Generally modern rifles use cartridges which contains a primer, charge, and one or more projectiles. The primer is used to transfer the mechanical energy from the firing pin into heat through a chemical reaction. The primer ignites the main charge of gunpowder, which expands as it turns into gas and propels the projectile forward, out of the barrel towards the target. Diagram of the inside of the action of a rifle. You can see the cartridge as well as the firing pin about to strike the primer. http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Bolt%20Action%20Rifles/CANADIAN%20ROSS%20RIFLE/Ross%20rifle.htm Diagram of the components of a modern firearm cartridge. http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/lori-l-lake-part-2-guns-guns-guns-outfitting-your-sleuths/