eli5 Why does the shell of a bullet come out of a gun but can shoot people?

Question

eli5 Why does the shell of a bullet come out of a gun but can shoot people?

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Answer 1

They’re not the same thing.

The bullet, along with propellent are inside the shell.

The propellant sends the bullet forward, out the barrel. This is what hits a target.

The gun jettisons the empty shell. Then replaces it with a new round. And the process repeats.