Ammunition Timeline

Two centuries of ammunition development.From the percussion cap to modern long-range cartridges.

Before the Cartridge

1807
Percussion IgnitionAlexander Forsyth patents a percussion system that replaces the flintlock spark with a chemical primer.
1812
First Self-Contained CartridgeJean Samuel Pauly patents a cartridge that holds primer, powder and bullet in one unit.

Metallic Cartridges Arrive

1836
PinfireCasimir Lefaucheux introduces the pinfire cartridge, an early breech-loading design.
1845
RimfireLouis-Nicolas Flobert builds a small rimfire parlor cartridge, the ancestor of the .22.
1857
.22 ShortSmith and Wesson introduce the .22 Short, the first American metallic cartridge.
.22 Short identification card showing the loaded cartridge and its lead bullet
.22 Short identification card showing the loaded cartridge and its lead bullet
1860
.44 HenryThe .44 Henry rimfire feeds the Henry lever-action repeating rifle.
1866
Berdan and Boxer PrimersHiram Berdan and Edward Boxer patent the two centerfire primer designs still in use.
1873
.45 Colt, .45-70 and .44-40The U.S. Army adopts the .45 Colt and .45-70 Government, and Winchester launches the .44-40.
.45 Colt identification card showing the cartridge and bullet
.45 Colt identification card showing the cartridge and bullet

The Smokeless Era

1884
Smokeless PowderPaul Vieille develops Poudre B, the first practical smokeless powder.
1886
8mm LebelFrance fields the first smokeless military rifle cartridge.
1887
.22 Long RifleThe J. Stevens Arms Company introduces the .22 Long Rifle.
1902
9mm LugerGeorg Luger designs the 9x19mm Parabellum.
9mm Luger identification card showing the cartridge and bullet
9mm Luger identification card showing the cartridge and bullet
1904
.45 ACPJohn Browning designs the .45 ACP, adopted with the M1911 pistol in 1911.
1906
.30-06 SpringfieldThe U.S. Army adopts the .30-06, its service rifle cartridge through two world wars.

Magnums and Modern Service Rounds

1935
.357 MagnumThe first magnum revolver cartridge reaches the market.
1943
7.62x39mmThe Soviet Union develops the intermediate cartridge later used in the SKS and AK-47.
1952
.308 WinchesterWinchester introduces the .308; the 7.62x51mm NATO follows in 1954.
1955
.44 MagnumThe .44 Magnum is introduced for large-frame revolvers.
1964
.223 RemingtonThe .223 Remington goes on sale as the 5.56mm enters U.S. military service with the M16.

Recent Designs

1990
.40 S&WSmith and Wesson and Winchester introduce the .40 S&W.
.40 S&W identification card showing the cartridge and bullet
.40 S&W identification card showing the cartridge and bullet
2007
6.5 CreedmoorHornady introduces the 6.5 Creedmoor for long-range target shooting.
Blue tarp covered with spent brass casings on desert ground after shooting
Blue tarp covered with spent brass casings on desert ground after shooting

Caliber GuideBullet TypesAmmo Manufacturers