Editing Bullet (section)

{{Short description|Projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun}}
{{About|the firearm projectile}}
[[File:GP11 coupe.JPG|thumb|[[7.5×55mm Swiss]] [[full metal jacket (ammunition)|full metal jacket]], [[Armour-piercing ammunition|armor piercing]], [[tracer ammunition|tracer]], and [[spitzer (bullet)|spitzer]] projectiles. The three bullets on the right show [[cannelure]] evolution]]
[[File:Bullet Wiki.ogv|thumb|[[Schlieren imaging|Schlieren image sequence]] of a bullet traveling in free-flight, demonstrating the air pressure dynamics surrounding the bullet]]
A '''bullet''' is a [[Kinetic energy weapon|kinetic projectile]], a component of [[firearm]] [[ammunition]] that is [[Shooting|shot]] from a [[gun barrel]]. They are made of a variety of materials, such as [[copper]], [[lead]], [[steel]], [[polymer]], [[rubber]] and even [[wax]]; and are made in various shapes and constructions (depending on the intended applications), including specialized functions such as [[hunting]], [[Shooting sports|target shooting]], training, and combat. Bullets are often tapered, making them more [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamic]]. Bullet size is expressed by weight and diameter (referred to as "[[caliber]]") in both imperial and metric measurement systems.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=What is Caliber? Bullet Sizes Explained|url=http://www.thefirearms.guide/ammo/what-is-caliber|access-date=28 January 2017|website=thefirearms.guide.|date=2 March 2011 }}</ref> Bullets do not normally contain [[explosive]]s<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Swift|first1=B|last2=Rutty|first2=GN|year=2004|title=The exploding bullet|journal=J Clin Pathol|volume=57|issue=1|pages=108|doi=10.1136/jcp.57.1.108|pmc=1770159|pmid=14693853}}</ref> but strike or damage the intended target by transferring [[kinetic energy]] upon impact and [[Penetration (weaponry)|penetration]].