List of British Ordnance Terms - Cartridge

Cartridge

"Cartridge" in British ammunition terminology typically refers to the physical object containing the propellant that a gunner loads :

• For S.A. (small arms) or Fixed QF artillery ammunition e.g. .303 or 18 pounder respectively, this denoted the complete round, i.e. cartridge case, percussion cap or primer, propellant charge and projectile. In this use it is synonymous with "Round".
• For Separate QF artillery, Cartridge referred to the Cartridge case, its Primer, propellant charge, and the disposable lid and fastener of the case.
• In BL artillery terminology, Cartridge referred to the propellant unit only - there was no case. British cartridges up to approximately 1892 contaimed gunpowder, and thereafter sticks of Cordite bound up together with an igniter pad if necessary, in a cloth bag, usually silk. The "stick" nature of cordite gave the cartridges a degree of rigidity and hence they retained a tubular shape and could be handled and loaded as a solid unit even without a case. With BL, cordite is contained in 1 or more cloth bags joined together. The complete unit is termed a cartridge. The empty bag was termed an "empty cartridge".

Heavy naval guns may require up to (e.g.) four separate cartridges to be loaded, each consisting of a ¼ charge to make up the full service charge.

Howitzer cartridges, both BL and separate QF, contained a central core of cordite surrounded by several stacked bags in the shape of rings, containing cordite. To obtain the appropriate "Charge" for the required range and angle of elevation, the gunner removed and discarded 1 or more rings before loading.

See Charge for how QF 25 pounder charge was varied in World War II.