Universal Bullet Classification Scheme (UBCS)

Request for comments (RFC) for an Universal Bullet Classification Scheme (UBCS) v1.1b 190129

(by Andi & Barney from GRT Development Team)

A bullet is a kinetic projectile and the component of firearm ammunition that is expelled from the gun barrel during shooting.

Handloading or reloading is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun shells by assembling the individual components (case/hull, primer, powder, and bullet/shot), rather than purchasing completely assembled, factory-loaded ammunition.

As there is a million of different bullet types and constructions available for different calibres and physical parameters, such as weight, diameter, length and aspects of external/internal construction and composition, there is a need to classify them to provide a solution for the means of searching, identifying and comparison for the modern handloader.

Bullets are manufactured for different purposes and processes by a variety of commercial producers and still as of today, some are produced by handloaders themselves. This variety and more often than sometimes conflicting commercial interests lead to a nomenclature which is all but consistent and useful to identify specific types and construction of a bullet for a given purpose.

This RFC takes on to the challenge to provide means of identifying bullets solely by geometric and constructional features without taking individual calibre-specific parameters (such as weight, calibre, external or internal dimensions) into account. It’s purpose only needs to suit the needs to identify a TYPE of bullet over the individual specifications of a given bullet for a individual application in a given calibre.

When taking up to this challenge, some obvious general parameters come up without being too specific to a certain bullet type manufactured and branded by individuals or commercial operations. These are:

• Purpose
  Is this bullet intended for hunting or target shooting? Is it designed and enhanced to produce special target ballistic effects or solely for a precision flight path?
• Geometry
  How and why are different physical parameters chosen, which make up the outer appearance of the bullet
• Construction
  What is the recipe, which assembles the bullets components in a designated way? (Jacket, core, bonding mechanism, materials)

Please read the RFC for details about the current specification: UBCS-RFC_v1.1b.pdf