Differences between internal and external wad

The internal wad The external wad

(inner wad) (outer wad)
Site - Found between the powder and shots - Covering the shots
Made of - Rounded thick & made either of felt or - Rounded thin cardboard
compressed cardboard
Function - Keeps behind it gases evolved on ignition of - Covers shots and keeps them in place
the powder.
- Prevents gases from escaping between the
shots.
- Internal wad acts as a piston driving out the
shots
Power of -Penetrates the body up to 3 meters -Penetrates the body up to 1 meter.
penetration - Causes a circular bruise from 1 to 3
- Causes a bruise from 3 to 10 meters. meters.
Types of - Present in all types of smoothbore - present only in sporting gun
weapon
 Differences between black and smokeless powder

Black powder Smokeless powder

Irregular black clumps or Different uniform shapes, colors &
Shape& color
powder sizes
Carbon 15% Nitrocellulose 60%
Composition
Sulphur10% Nitroglycerine 35%
Potassium nitrate 75% Mineral gel 5%
Reaction after Alkaline residueN Neutral residue (nitrites and nitrates)
Ignition (carbonates & Blue color in diphenylamine test.
bicarbonates)
Sporting gun and old Sporting gun and rifled weapons
Weapons
revolver. except old revolver.
Inlet Blackening at the inlet Grayish color at the inlet