It can be challenging to spot a magnum version of a cartridge just by looking at it. (Shutterstock photo)

TLDR: Magnum ammunition comes with extra propellant (gunpowder) and/or a more generous projectile.

Unlike other firearm terminology, “magnum ammunition” is both specific and vague. This can cause some confusion when you need to give a character a firearm with some extra oomph.

“Oomph” in this case is measured against Tom Selleck’s righteous mustache. (Image via Amazon)

Magnum Ammo: The Gist

It’s specific because a “magnum” cartridge will contain more propellant (aka gunpowder) and/or a more generous projectile (aka bullet) than a standard cartridge.

However, it’s vague because that increase in oomph isn’t set in stone. It’s up to the manufacturer to determine what qualifies as magnum and what does not.

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Where should these go when a character isn’t using them? (Photo by Krzysztof Szkurlatowski via sxc.hu)

Apparently, there’s some confusion out there about characters storing ammunition when they’re not using their firearms. Over at my guest post at Jane Friedman’s place, Writing About Guns: 10 Errors to Avoid in Your Novel, user marcydyer670919403 (whew) commented on an instance “when a character sticks the bullets in her pocket instead of loading the gun because it might shoot her” in something she read.

Hrmmm, I say. Hrmmm.

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