What are the main components of a loaded rifle or pistol cartridge?

The main components of a loaded rifle or pistol cartridge include the case, bullet, primer, and powder.

The case is the protective shell that holds all the components together and contains the internal pressure generated when the cartridge is fired. The bullet is the projectile that is expelled from the firearm when the cartridge is discharged, designed to travel towards the target. The primer is a small explosive device that ignites the powder when struck by the firing pin of the firearm. Finally, the powder, often referred to as gunpowder or propellant, provides the necessary energy to propel the bullet forward when ignited by the primer.

Each of these components plays a crucial role in the functionality of the cartridge; without any one of them, the cartridge would not fire effectively.