Explain to me how bullets have become "projectiles"

"Projectile" is not less precise than "bullet" in the context most of us are thinking of. Unfortunately, the word "bullet" has been rendered imprecise by widespread misuse.

If you walk into a gun shop and say "I'm looking for 9mm projectiles", it should be obvious that you are saying the same thing as "I'm looking for 9mm component bullets", rather than loaded ammunition or some other sort of projectile that isn't a bullet.
 
A lady in our Post Office had a fit and called the RCMP when she dropped a package of bullets being shipped to my buddy, it broke open and a few spilled out. He got a call to come down to the detachment and was quite concerned until he found out what the issue was. The officer was quite apologetic about the situation as he gave him his box of bullets. They did have a brief discussion around shipping options and should he continue to use Canada Post for his purchases. He pointed out that it was the cheaper option and often the choice of business for shipping them and that the choice isn't always his. While he admitted he likely would have the option to pay more and use a courier, he wasn't willing to do so. No problems since and that was about 5 years ago.
 
fingers284 said:
Me...I just use a lot of Booolits...to confuse the matter more.
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I use the word "projectiles" because everyone understands the definition. "bullets" can mean either a projectile or a cartridge, depending on your age and familiarity. To further obfuscate the term, many reloaders have taken to using the term "boolits" as referring to a cast, unjacketed, lead projectile made at home using lead alloys, melters, and various casting moulds.
 
Dogleg said:
A salesman would have to be totally clueless to hand you loaded ammunition if you asked for bullets. How would that work?

C. "I want some 30 calibre Hornady 180 Spire points if you got 'em"

S. "Do you want .308 Win, 30-06, .300 WSM, .300 Win, .300 Weatherby or what?"

C. "Did I ask for .308, 30-06, .300WSM, .300 Win, .300 Weatherby or what?"

S. "Oh, component bullets, we're expecting those in 2026"


Aussies seem to like calling them "projos". I hope it doesn't catch on.
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C. "I need some bullets. What have you got for .308 150g soft points?"

S. "Federal and Winchester, about 20 boxes of each. Which ones you want?"

C. "No, i mean projectiles."

S. "Oh, component bullets, we're expecting those in 2026"
 
nowarningshot said:
^^^Pretty much. Remember a thread a while back, someone bought 1000 "bullets" and was upset when their order was not factory ammo....but unloaded "tips". This in a sponsors forum(the vendor), got absolutely blasted. I use projectiles, sometimes "pills" if i am trying to speak Lookinese. Whatever it takes to get the point across.
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HAHAHAHAHA that made me laugh!!!! still got a link to that thread?????
 
Juster said:
Technically, a projectile is something that is projected through the air, or through space. A bullet is only a projectile when it is in motion. Vomit is a projectile during projectile vomiting, but otherwise not.
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The winner? Very close, if not.

The press is very guilty of confusing the issue; if a shot gun has been involved in a shooting, it is almost always "buckshot" even though it could have been 12 gauge #7.5 which can blow a leg off fired from a certain distance but no real damage at 100
 
Juster said:
Technically, a projectile is something that is projected through the air, or through space. A bullet is only a projectile when it is in motion. Vomit is a projectile during projectile vomiting, but otherwise not.
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Is the above the winner? Very close, if not.

The press is very guilty of confusing the issue; if a shot gun has been involved in a shooting, it is almost always "buckshot" even though it could have been 12 gauge #7.5 which can blow a leg off fired from a certain distance but no real damage at 100 yards. Whereas a high brass SSG shell could do serious damage if not lethal at the same distance to a human.
 
Dogleg said:
A salesman would have to be totally clueless to hand you loaded ammunition if you asked for bullets. How would that work?

C. "I want some 30 calibre Hornady 180 Spire points if you got 'em"

S. "Do you want .308 Win, 30-06, .300 WSM, .300 Win, .300 Weatherby or what?"

C. "Did I ask for .308, 30-06, .300WSM, .300 Win, .300 Weatherby or what?"


If you worked at a gun store you would just hand the customer a box of loaded 30-06 ammunition, when he asked for a "box of 30-06 bullets." That is because the customer would want loaded ammunition, in the vast amount of cases, when he asked for bullets.
You would have a bit of a head scratcher when he asked for a box of 306 bullets. If he said 30-60 bullets, just hand him a box of 30-06 loaded ammunition, IN THE BULLET WEIGHT YOU HAD THE MOST OF, OR WANTED TO GET RID OF!
In short, the average hunter has an extremely limited knowledge of anything to do with his rifle, components, or shooting.
At least half the hunters coming in and getting ammunition know nothing about bullet weight. The customer asks for 308 bullets, the sales clerk asks the customer what weight bullet he wants and the customer will likely give a more or less snarly reply, "I don't know, I just want a box of bullets to fit my 308!"
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I have taken to educating the sales people now...........when I ask if they have any 180 gn 30 cal bullets and they make a move or reference to factory loaded ammo, I politely explain the difference to them and how the term "bullet" does not apply to loaded ammunition. I assume that no one has ever taken the time to do this, thus the display of ignorance. Some take it to heart and thank me for explaining it to them and others have been totally disinterested to outright obnoxious about it, there is no hope for these.
I do not use the term projectile, ever to my recollection, because it is way to general and includes virtually any non self-propelled object in motion through the air. My conversations are almost exclusively firearms based and I use the correct term of "bullet".
I also do not use the term weapon when referring to firearms as again it is way to general and includes many objects that are not relative to a discussion on firearms. I am a hunter and target shooter and thus my rifles, shotguns and handguns are referred to as firearms, unlike a combatant whose tools are referred to as weapons and include everything from a combat knife to a tank or an A-10 Warthog. I personally disagree with the use of the term "weapon" when referring to sporting firearms and believe it should only be used when referring to the tools of a combatant in the realm of human conflict.
 
In this case...I dont care but english langauge has changed quite a bit and will continue to change.



Language's evolve and changes over time. English Language is not the same as it was 300yrs ago or 18th and 19th century.
 
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Chrossphyre said:
I use the word "projectiles" because everyone understands the definition. "bullets" can mean either a projectile or a cartridge, depending on your age and familiarity. To further obfuscate the term, many reloaders have taken to using the term "boolits" as referring to a cast, unjacketed, lead projectile made at home using lead alloys, melters, and various casting moulds.
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Just because someone doesn't know any better , doesn't mean that the words "cartridge" and" bullet" are interchangeable. Ignorance does not change the definition of either of these items.

If I ask a clerk in a store for a certain box of bullets, I expect them to get that box of bullets for me if they have it in stock. The last thing that I need or want, is to be questioned as to whether I want bullets or loaded ammunition, just because some other customers are too clueless to know the difference.
 
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Bullets became projectiles, the same way a hockey sweater became a jersey.....

With all the duality, and mis referencing things it's a, no wonder.

Caliber instead of cartridge, or chambering.
Bullet instead of round, cartridge, or shell.
And every bodies favourite.......
Clip instead of magazine.

For shooting being a precision sport/hobby/pastime, the lack off use of, precise terminology is mind boggling.
 
The clip vs. magazine threads weren't enough, so we had to have bullet vs. projectile threads now too. I refer to "them" by brand, type, size and weight, etc. "You have any 210gr .338 Barnes TTSX's in stock?" "How about 160gr 7mm Accubonds?" "Oh, I'll take two boxes of those Berger 70gr .224 VLDs."
 
The same way a shotgun became a snotty, or a Winchester became a Winny, or a Remington became a Remmy. To destruction of the English language
 
Dogleg said:
A salesman would have to be totally clueless to hand you loaded ammunition if you asked for bullets. How would that work?

C. "I want some 30 calibre Hornady 180 Spire points if you got 'em"

S. "Do you want .308 Win, 30-06, .300 WSM, .300 Win, .300 Weatherby or what?"

C. "Did I ask for .308, 30-06, .300WSM, .300 Win, .300 Weatherby or what?"

S. "Oh, component bullets, we're expecting those in 2026"


Aussies seem to like calling them "projos". I hope it doesn't catch on.
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Just like shotty
 
scott585 said:
i use projectiles because it prevents confusion. yes the projectile is a bullet, but if you walk into a store and ask for bullets, you are likely to receive loaded ones with a hunk of brass hanging off the end because that is what every fudd out there is looking for. i will ask for ammo or cartridges, or ask for projectiles, but i avoid the term bullets just to save the hassle.
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This plain and simple.
 
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