Forensic Medicine · Firearm Injuries

Rifling & Shotgun Cartridge vs Rifle Bullet

1 min read · Verified by professors

Rifling

Definition: Rifling consists of spiral grooves cut inside the barrel of a firearm.

  • The raised portions are called lands.
  • The depressed portions are called grooves.

How rifling works

  1. Rifled barrel.
  2. Bullet rotates around its long axis.
  3. Gyroscopic stability.
  4. Accurate flight.

Advantages of rifling

  • Imparts spin to the bullet.
  • Increases accuracy.
  • Increases range.
  • Prevents tumbling of the bullet during flight.
  • Improves penetrating power.
  • Produces characteristic markings on the bullet useful for identification.

Shotgun cartridge vs rifle bullet