What is a 'charge' in artillery, and how is it selected?

Prepare for the MCAWS Marine Corps Cannoneer Course (MCCC) Test with flashcards and in-depth multiple-choice questions, all accompanied by hints and detailed explanations. Get confident and ready for your exam!

In artillery, a charge is the propellant amount that, when burned, drives the shell out of the barrel. That amount sets the muzzle velocity, which in turn determines how far and along what arc the shell will travel. Because different targets and ranges require different velocities, the charge is chosen to achieve the needed muzzle velocity for the specific shell and fuze being used. In practice, crews reference firing tables that link range, shell weight, elevation, and sometimes weather to the appropriate propellant increment. Heavier shells or longer-range missions use larger charges to reach the desired hit, while shorter-range shots use smaller charges to prevent overshoot and excessive recoil. The lifting charge or the fuze itself are separate concepts and not the main propellant charge used to propel the shell, and a training round is not what’s meant by the charge.