Bullet vs. Shell — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 5, 2024
A bullet is a metal projectile for firearms, while a shell is an explosive munition for artillery, characterized by their use and construction.
Difference Between Bullet and Shell
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A bullet is a solid projectile used in handguns, rifles, and other firearms. It is typically made of lead, sometimes with a copper jacket, designed to be fired at high velocities toward a target. Bullets are the component of ammunition that provides the actual impact on the target, and they come in various sizes and designs depending on the firearm and purpose. On the other hand, a shell is an explosive projectile used in artillery, such as cannons, howitzers, and tanks. Shells are larger and contain explosive materials designed to detonate on impact or after a predetermined delay, causing damage through the explosion itself rather than the impact of the projectile.
Bullets are primarily used for direct fire weapons, where the shooter aims directly at the target within their line of sight. The design of a bullet, including its shape and mass, is optimized for accuracy, range, and penetrating power. Shells, in contrast, are used in indirect fire systems, capable of hitting targets out of the line of sight by following an arcing trajectory. They are designed to maximize damage over an area through explosive, shrapnel, or other effects.
In terms of construction, bullets are relatively simple, consisting of the projectile part of a cartridge, which also includes the casing, powder, and primer. When the gun is fired, the powder ignites, propelling the bullet through the barrel. Shells are more complex, comprising an outer casing that holds the explosive charge, a detonating mechanism, and sometimes additional components like shrapnel, gas, or incendiary materials.
The terminology also reflects their usage and history. "Bullet" comes from the French word "boulette," meaning small ball, highlighting its solid, round nature in early designs. "Shell" derives from the idea of the projectile's casing or "shell" that contains explosives, a concept that evolved from solid shot to explosive munitions in artillery.
The impact of bullets and shells also differs significantly. Bullets cause damage through the kinetic energy they transfer to the target, penetrating materials and causing physical injury. Shells, due to their explosive nature, can cause widespread damage to structures, equipment, and personnel, making them effective against fortified or grouped targets.
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Comparison Chart
Composition
Metal projectile, often lead with a copper jacket
Explosive projectile with casing, explosive charge, and detonator
Usage
Handguns, rifles, and other firearms
Artillery like cannons, howitzers, and tanks
Function
Direct impact on targets
Explosion on impact, causing area damage
Design Purpose
Accuracy, penetration, and range
Maximum damage over an area, including explosive and shrapnel effects
Trajectory
Direct line of sight
Arcing trajectory for indirect fire
Construction
Simple, part of a cartridge
Complex, containing explosives and other materials
Origin of Term
French "boulette," meaning small ball
Related to the casing or "shell" of the explosive
Compare with Definitions
Bullet
Causes damage through kinetic energy.
The bullet caused a clean through-and-through wound.
Shell
Used for indirect fire to hit out-of-sight targets.
The artillery unit fired shells over the hill.
Bullet
A solid projectile for a firearm.
The bullet was lodged in the wall.
Shell
An explosive projectile for artillery.
The shell exploded, causing significant damage.
Bullet
Designed for accuracy and penetration.
The sniper used a high-precision bullet.
Shell
Effective against fortified positions.
The shells were used to breach the enemy's defenses.
Bullet
Made primarily of lead.
Bullets can have a copper jacket for improved performance.
Shell
Can include shrapnel or incendiary materials.
Shrapnel from the shell caused widespread injury.
Bullet
Part of a cartridge that includes powder and primer.
The cartridge was loaded with a 9mm bullet.
Shell
Contains an explosive charge.
The shell was designed to detonate on impact.
Bullet
A bullet is a kinetic projectile, a component of firearm ammunition that is shot from a gun barrel. The term is from Middle French, originating as the diminutive of the word boulle (boullet), which means "small ball".
Shell
The hard protective outer case of a mollusc or crustacean
Cowrie shells
The technique of carving shell
Bullet
A metal projectile for firing from a rifle, revolver, or other small firearm, typically cylindrical and pointed, and sometimes containing an explosive.
Shell
An explosive artillery projectile or bomb
Shell holes
The sound of the shell passing over, followed by the explosion
Bullet
A small symbol used to introduce each item in a list, for emphasis.
Shell
Something resembling or likened to a shell because of its shape or its function as an outer case
Baked pastry shells filled with cheese
Pasta shells
Bullet
A stick of lipstick (considered separately from the tube in which it is encased)
You can apply your lipstick straight from the bullet but I like to use a brush
Shell
The metal framework of a vehicle body.
Bullet
A usually metal projectile in the shape of a pointed cylinder or a ball that is expelled from a firearm, especially a rifle or handgun.
Shell
A light racing boat.
Bullet
Such a projectile in a metal casing; a cartridge.
Shell
An inner or roughly made coffin.
Bullet
An object resembling a projectile in shape, action, or effect.
Shell
The hand guard of a sword.
Bullet
(Printing) A heavy dot (·) used to highlight a particular passage.
Shell
Each of a set of orbitals around the nucleus of an atom, occupied or able to be occupied by electrons of similar energies
In a multi-electron atom, the lowest energy shells fill up first
An electron descending from one shell to a lower one emits an X-ray
Bullet
A projectile, usually of metal, shot from a gun at high speed.
Shell
Short for shell program
Bullet
(informal) An entire round of unfired ammunition for a firearm, including the projectile, the cartridge casing, the propellant charge, etc.
Shell
Bombard with shells
Several villages north of the security zone were shelled
Bullet
Ammunition for a sling or slingshot which has been manufactured for such use.
Shell
Remove the shell or pod from (a nut or seed)
They were shelling peas
Shelled Brazil nuts
Bullet
(typography) A printed symbol in the form of a solid circle, “•”, often used to mark items in a list.
Shell
The usually hard outer covering that encases certain organisms, such as insects, turtles, and most mollusks.
Bullet
A large scheduled repayment of the principal of a loan; a balloon payment.
Shell
A similar outer covering on a nut or seed.
Bullet
A rejection letter, as for employment, admission to a school or a competition.
John's not going to any of his top schools; he got a bullet from the last of them yesterday.
Shell
A similar outer covering on certain eggs, such as those of birds and reptiles; an eggshell.
Bullet
(slang) One year of prison time.
Shell
The material that constitutes such a covering.
Bullet
(slang) An ace (the playing card).
Shell
An external, usually hard, protective or enclosing case or cover.
Bullet
(figuratively) Anything that is projected extremely fast.
Shell
A framework or exterior, as of a building.
Bullet
(in attributive use) Very fast speedy.
Bullet train; bullet chess
Shell
A thin layer of pastry.
Bullet
Chess played at an extremely fast time control, with one minute given to each player. (bullet chess)
Shell
The external part of the ear.
Bullet
(fishing) A plumb or sinker.
Shell
The hull of a ship.
Bullet
The heavy projectile thrown in a game of road bowling.
Shell
A light, long, narrow racing boat propelled by rowers.
Bullet
(Australia) A roughly bullet-shaped sweet consisting of a cylinder of liquorice covered in chocolate.
Shell
A small glass for beer.
Bullet
(obsolete) A small ball.
Shell
An artillery projectile containing an explosive charge.
Bullet
(obsolete) A cannonball.
Shell
A metal or cardboard case containing the charge and primer for a piece of firearms ammunition, especially one also containing shot and fired from a shotgun.
Bullet
(obsolete) The fetlock of a horse.
Shell
An attitude or a manner adopted to mask one's true feelings or to protect one from perceived or real danger
Embarrassed, she withdrew into a shell.
Bullet
A notation used on pop music charts to indicate that a song is climbing in the rankings.
Shell
A set of electron orbitals having nearly the same energy and sharing the same first quantum number.
Bullet
A young or little bull; a male calf.
Shell
Any of the stable states of other particles or collections of particles (such as the nucleons in an atomic nucleus) at a given energy or small range of energies.
Bullet
To draw attention to (text) by, or as if by, placing a graphic bullet in front of it.
Shell
A usually sleeveless and collarless, typically knit blouse.
Bullet
To speed, like a bullet.
Their debut started slow, but bulleted to number six in its fourth week.
Shell
A thin, usually waterproof or windproof outer garment for the upper body.
Bullet
To make a shot, especially with great speed.
He bulleted a header for his first score of the season.
Shell
(Computers) A program that works with the operating system as a command processor, used to enter commands and initiate their execution.
Bullet
A small ball.
Shell
A company or corporation created by a second company or corporation for the purposes of facilitating a particular transaction, especially one that is intended to be concealed.
Bullet
A missile, usually of lead, and round or elongated in form, to be discharged from a rifle, musket, pistol, or other small firearm.
Shell
To remove the shell of; shuck
Shell oysters.
Bullet
A cannon ball.
A ship before Greenwich . . . shot off her ordnance, one piece being charged with a bullet of stone.
Shell
To remove from a shell
Shell peas.
Bullet
The fetlock of a horse.
Shell
To separate the kernels of (corn) from the cob.
Bullet
A projectile that is fired from a gun
Shell
To fire shells at; bombard.
Bullet
A high-speed passenger train
Shell
To defeat decisively.
Bullet
(baseball) a pitch thrown with maximum velocity;
He swung late on the fastball
He showed batters nothing but smoke
Shell
(Baseball) To hit the pitches of (a pitcher) hard and with regularity
Shelled the pitcher for eight runs in the first inning.
Shell
To shed or become free of a shell.
Shell
To look for or collect shells, as on a seashore
Spent the day shelling on Cape Cod.
Shell
A hard external covering of an animal.
Shell
The calcareous or chitinous external covering of mollusks, crustaceans, and some other invertebrates.
In some mollusks, as the cuttlefish, the shell is concealed by the animal's outer mantle and is considered internal.
Genuine mother-of-pearl buttons are made from sea shells.
Shell
(by extension) Any mollusk having such a covering.
Shell
(entomology) The exoskeleton or wing covers of certain insects.
Shell
The conjoined scutes that constitute the "shell" (carapace) of a tortoise or turtle.
Shell
The overlapping hard plates comprising the armor covering the armadillo's body.
Shell
The hard calcareous covering of a bird egg.
Shell
One of the outer layers of skin of an onion.
The restaurant served caramelized onion shells.
Shell
(botany) The hard external covering of various plant seed forms.
Shell
The covering, or outside part, of a nut.
The black walnut and the hickory nut, both of the same Genus as the pecan, have much thicker and harder shells than the pecan.
Shell
A pod containing the seeds of certain plants, such as the legume Phaseolus vulgaris.
Shell
(in the plural) Husks of cacao seeds, a decoction of which is sometimes used as a substitute or adulterant for cocoa and its products such as chocolate.
Shell
(geology) The accreted mineral formed around a hollow geode.
Shell
(weaponry) The casing of a self-contained single-unit artillery projectile.
Shell
(weaponry) A hollow, usually spherical or cylindrical projectile fired from a siege mortar or a smoothbore cannon. It contains an explosive substance designed to be ignited by a fuse or by percussion at the target site so that it will burst and scatter at high velocity its contents and fragments. Formerly called a bomb.
Shell
(weaponry) The cartridge of a breechloading firearm; a load; a bullet; a round.
Shell
(architecture) Any slight hollow structure; a framework, or exterior structure, regarded as not complete or filled in, as the shell of a house.
Shell
A garment, usually worn by women, such as a shirt, blouse, or top, with short sleeves or no sleeves, that often fastens in the rear.
Shell
A coarse or flimsy coffin; a thin interior coffin enclosed within a more substantial one.
Shell
(music) A string instrument, as a lyre, whose acoustical chamber is formed like a shell.
The first lyre may have been made by drawing strings over the underside of a tortoise shell.
Shell
(music) The body of a drum; the often wooden, often cylindrical acoustic chamber, with or without rims added for tuning and for attaching the drum head.
Shell
An engraved copper roller used in print works.
Shell
The thin coating of copper on an electrotype.
Shell
(nautical) The watertight outer covering of the hull of a vessel, often made with planking or metal plating.
Shell
The outer frame or case of a block within which the sheaves revolve.
Shell
(nautical) A light boat whose frame is covered with thin wood, impermeable fabric, or water-proofed paper; a racing shell or dragon boat.
Shell
(chemistry) A set of atomic orbitals that have the same principal quantum number.
Shell
(figuratively) The outward form independent of what is inside.
Shell
(figuratively) The empty outward form of someone or something.
The setback left him a mere shell; he was never the same again.
Shell
An emaciated person.
He's lost so much weight from illness; he's a shell of his former self.
Shell
A psychological barrier to social interaction.
Even after months of therapy he's still in his shell.
Shell
(computing) An operating system software user interface, whose primary purpose is to launch other programs and control their interactions; the user's command interpreter. Shell is a way to separate the internal complexity of the implementation of the command from the user. The internals can change while the user experience/interface remains the same.
Shell
(business) A legal entity that has no operations.
A shell corporation was formed to acquire the old factory.
Shell
A concave rough cast-iron tool in which a convex lens is ground to shape.
Shell
(engineering) A gouge bit or shell bit.
Shell
(phonology) The onset and coda of a syllable.
Shell
A person's ear.
Can I have a quick word in your shell?
Shell
To remove the outer covering or shell of something.
Shell
To bombard, to fire projectiles at, especially with artillery.
The guns shelled the enemy trenches.
Shell
(informal) To disburse or give up money, to pay. (Often used with out).
Shell
(intransitive) To fall off, as a shell, crust, etc.
Shell
(intransitive) To cast the shell, or exterior covering; to fall out of the pod or husk.
Nuts shell in falling.
Wheat or rye shells in reaping.
Shell
To switch to a shell or command line.
Shell
To form shallow, irregular cracks (in a coating).
Shell
(topology) To form a shelling.
Shell
The hard calcareous or chitinous external covering of mollusks, crustaceans, and some other invertebrates. In some mollusks, as the cuttlefishes, it is internal, or concealed by the mantle. Also, the hard covering of some vertebrates, as the armadillo, the tortoise, and the like.
Shell
A hollow projectile, of various shapes, adapted for a mortar or a cannon, and containing an explosive substance, ignited with a fuse or by percussion, by means of which the projectile is burst and its fragments scattered. See Bomb.
Shell
The case which holds the powder, or charge of powder and shot, used with breechloading small arms.
Shell
Any slight hollow structure; a framework, or exterior structure, regarded as not complete or filled in; as, the shell of a house.
Shell
A coarse kind of coffin; also, a thin interior coffin inclosed in a more substantial one.
Shell
An instrument of music, as a lyre, - the first lyre having been made, it is said, by drawing strings over a tortoise shell.
When Jubal struck the chorded shell.
Shell
An engraved copper roller used in print works.
Shell
The husks of cacao seeds, a decoction of which is often used as a substitute for chocolate, cocoa, etc.
Shell
The outer frame or case of a block within which the sheaves revolve.
Shell
A light boat the frame of which is covered with thin wood or with paper; as, a racing shell.
Shell
Something similar in form or action to an ordnance shell;
Shell
A concave rough cast-iron tool in which a convex lens is ground to shape.
Shell
A gouge bit or shell bit.
Shell
To strip or break off the shell of; to take out of the shell, pod, etc.; as, to shell nuts or pease; to shell oysters.
Shell
To separate the kernels of (an ear of Indian corn, wheat, oats, etc.) from the cob, ear, or husk.
Shell
To throw shells or bombs upon or into; to bombard; as, to shell a town.
Shell
To fall off, as a shell, crust, etc.
Shell
To cast the shell, or exterior covering; to fall out of the pod or husk; as, nuts shell in falling.
Shell
To be disengaged from the ear or husk; as, wheat or rye shells in reaping.
Shell
Ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
Shell
The material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals
Shell
Hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
Shell
The hard usually fibrous outer layer of some fruits especially nuts
Shell
The exterior covering of a bird's egg
Shell
A rigid covering that envelops an object;
The satellite is covered with a smooth shell of ice
Shell
A very light narrow racing boat
Shell
The housing or outer covering of something;
The clock has a walnut case
Shell
A metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
Shell
The hard largely calcareous covering of a mollusc
Shell
Use explosives on;
The enemy has been shelling us all day
Shell
Fall out of the pod or husk;
The corn shelled
Shell
Hit the pitches of hard and regularly;
He shelled the pitcher for eight runs in the first inning
Shell
Look for and collect shells by the seashore
Shell
Come out better in a competition, race, or conflict;
Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship
We beat the competition
Harvard defeated Yale in the last football game
Shell
Remove from its shell or outer covering;
Shell the legumes
Shell mussels
Shell
Remove the husks from;
Husk corn
Common Curiosities
Are all shells explosive?
Most shells are designed to be explosive, but there are also specialized types for different effects, such as illumination or smoke.
What's the primary difference between a bullet and a shell?
The primary difference is that a bullet is a solid projectile used in firearms, while a shell is an explosive projectile used in artillery.
Why are shells used in artillery?
Shells are used in artillery to maximize area damage, especially against structures or grouped targets, through explosive effects.
How does the design of a bullet affect its function?
The design, including shape and material, affects a bullet's accuracy, range, and penetrating power, tailored to specific uses.
Can bullets be explosive like shells?
While most bullets are solid, some specialized types contain explosive or incendiary materials, but they are generally less powerful than artillery shells.
How are bullets and shells manufactured differently?
Bullets are simpler, often mass-produced from lead and copper, while shells require complex assembly of casings, explosives, and detonators.
What safety precautions are necessary when handling shells?
Handling shells requires careful adherence to safety protocols due to their explosive nature, including proper storage and disposal.
Are there environmental concerns associated with bullets and shells?
Yes, lead from bullets and unexploded ordnance from shells pose environmental and health risks, leading to calls for cleaner alternatives.
Can civilians purchase shells for personal use?
In most jurisdictions, explosive shells are restricted to military or law enforcement use, with strict regulations on civilian ownership.
What kind of guns use bullets?
Bullets are used in a wide range of firearms, from handguns and rifles to machine guns.
How do bullets and shells differ in terms of impact?
Bullets cause damage through kinetic energy and penetration, while shells cause damage primarily through explosion and shrapnel.
Can the term 'shell' refer to non-explosive projectiles?
Historically, 'shell' referred to any artillery projectile, but modern usage typically implies an explosive component.
How has the use of bullets and shells evolved in warfare?
Their use has evolved with technology, with bullets becoming more precise and shells more powerful, reflecting advancements in firearms and artillery.
How do bullets and shells interact with armor?
Bullets and shells are designed to penetrate armor, with certain types specifically engineered to defeat modern protective materials.
Why might a military choose bullets over shells in a conflict?
The choice depends on the target and tactical needs; bullets are used for precision engagement of individual targets, while shells are chosen for their destructive capacity against areas or fortifications.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
