From Russ Chastain,
Your Guide to Hunting / Shooting.
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Definition: A loaded round of ammunition designed to be fired in a firearm. Modern cartridges for rifles and handguns are constructed of a metal tubular case containing a powder charge and bullet, along with a primer for detonating the charge. Modern shotgun cartridges (also called shells) are usually constructed with a metallic base and a plastic body.

Cartridges were also used for muzzleloading guns, before metallic cartridges were invented. These commonly consisted of a paper tube containing a measured amount of powder, attached to a bullet. Priming was a separate operation when using these cartridges.

This term may also refer to a particular caliber/load designation, i.e. "the 30-06 cartridge."

Pronunciation: kart rij (noun)

Also Known As: Ammo, round, ammunition, shell and (wrongly) bullet are all terms often used to mean cartridge. The bullet, however, is simply the projectile.

Examples: Each round of ammunition is an individual cartridge.