Which method is commonly used to test the performance of ammunition?

Ballistic testing is widely recognized as a crucial method for assessing the performance of ammunition. This process evaluates how ammunition behaves when fired, including aspects such as velocity, trajectory, and accuracy. By analyzing these ballistic characteristics, handlers can determine the effectiveness of the ammunition in various conditions and against specific targets. This testing ensures that the ammunition meets safety and performance standards, which is vital for both military and civilian use.

Visual inspection, while important for identifying obvious defects or damages, does not provide insights into how ammunition performs under actual firing conditions. Weight measurement can help verify consistency among ammunition lots, but it does not reflect performance attributes like speed or accuracy. Temperature testing might indicate how ammunition performs under different environmental conditions, but it is not a primary method for overall performance evaluation. Therefore, ballistic testing remains the standard for assessing the functional characteristics of ammunition.