Job Description:

• 1) Measures propellant force of powder charge by firing small arms cartridges and shotshells in pressure-testing device: Selects test barrel according to type and caliber of cartridge to be fired.

• 2) Secures breech end of barrel in fixture containing breech-block, hammer, and firing pin, using handtools and gauges.

• 3) Inserts gas check and steel piston into vent in barrel wall.

• 4) Positions lead or copper slug of standard length on piston and tightens yoke-mounted setscrew which acts as anvil to secure it.

• 5) Fires cartridge and measures compressed slug for reduction in length, using micrometer.

• 6) Converts reduction in slug length to pressure expressed in pounds-per-square inch, using conversion chart.

• 7) Computes average pressure for specified number of cartridges.

• 8) May perform velocity tests on projectiles.