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Ammunition is used to project force against a target. In the broadest definition of the term, it includes bombs, missiles, warheads, and mines. Today, the term has evolved to mean a supply or quantity of bullets and shells.

A single unit of ammunition is known as a cartridge. A cartridge is made up of a bullet, propellant, primer and casing. A "round" refers to a fully loaded cartridge. Shells are explosive-filled projectiles that shoot out of large caliber cannons. When a fully loaded ordnance fails to function properly, it is known as a dud. A "misfire" is a cartridge that fails to fire.

The modern bullet underwent a major change in 1882. This was the first time an elongated bullet with a lead core in a copper jacket was used. Lead has been a main component in bullets since the days of the musket. 

• Militaries from NATO countries use their own signature ammo, the 5.56mm NATO. This round replaced the 7.62mm NATO because it is lighter and better suited for automatic fire.
• The .204 Ruger was the highest velocity commercially produced ammunition.
  
• The .460 Weatherby is known as the powerful commercially available hunting cartridge in the world.

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