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{{Weapon Series}}
The '''bolt weapon''' is the characteristic [[Imperial]] weapon type used most famously by the [[Space Marine]]s and [[Adepta Sororitas]]. They are also used in more limited numbers throughout the [[Imperium]]'s armed forces, and are popular with its enemies, particularly [[Ork]]s.{{Fn|2}} Bolt weapons are purposefully unsubtle weapons, with very obvious and bloody effects.
Some models are designed specifically for normal humans which include smaller grips and lighter construction, though these variations are rarely as finely fashioned as Space Marine weapons. Many such weapons are ancient heirlooms and relics passed down through a family's generations. Cheap bolt weapon models can be found on black markets and backwater planets, but will often break down quickly because of the specialised nature of their ammunition.{{Fn|1}}
[[File:Heavy Bolter - Astartes MK IVc.jpg|right|thumb|Heavy bolter, with Belt Feed]]
Bolt weapons fire caseless{{Fn|20}} self-propelled mass-reactive shells known as ''bolts'' at hypersonic velocities{{fnFn|21}}, which are timed to explode just after penetration for maximum lethality. The standard bolt is .75 calibre with a super-dense metallic core and [[diamantine]] tip. Overall bolt ammunition is expensive and difficult to manufacture and the weapons themselves regularly require maintenance and rituals to appease their spirits, but they are no doubt terrifying and destructive weapons.{{Fn|1}}
Each bolt is contained within a cartridge which includes a small conventional powder charge. When fired, this charge launches the bolt while simultaneously igniting its solid fuel propellant, which is timed to do so once it is clear of the barrel. The cartridge is then ejected, clearing the breech for the next round, while the bolt accelerates towards the target under its own power. This system helps alleviate the problem in using rocket-propelled munitions, as the gases are not trapped within the barrel and cannot cause problems due to over-pressure. The two-stage process also keeps the weapon's recoil to manageable levels, compared to conventional weapons of similar calibre.{{Fn|4}}
Using this method, personal bolt weapons can easily fire in bursts of three to four rounds in rapid succession. However, in order to keep the ammunition capacity high, bolt shells lack a subsequent booster stage or fin stabilization.{{Fn|4}} This limits their effective range, though this is seen as less of a problem given their role as a shock and assault weapon.{{Fn|2}} [[Heavy Bolter]]s fire a larger round with extra propellant, giving them superior range and hitting power to hand-held [[bolter]]s and [[bolt pistol]]s.{{Fn|4}}
The explosive warhead within the bolt is triggered by a mass-reactive detonator; any sudden increase in local mass triggers the explosive, causing the weapon to explode inside the target.{{Fn|2}} This can have a gruesome effect on the target, often killing them in a single shot as their chest cavity or head is blown apart, while simultaneous hits can render the corpse unidentifiable.{{Fn|5}} However, the detonator has a minimum arming distance, during which it will not arm the warhead. At point-blank ranges the bolt will instead pass through the target and explode behind it, though its sheer size and velocity still makes it capable of causing damage.{{Fn|6}}
==Types of bolt weapons==
*'''Stalker Silenced Shells''' are rounds with low sound signatures, meant for covert fighting and used in conjunction with an M40 targeting system and an extended barrel and stock on a bolter to produce a sniping weapon system. A solidified mercury slug replaces the mass-reactive warhead for lethality at sub-sonic projectile speed. A gas cartridge also replaces both the propellant base and main charge for silent firing.
*'''[[Asphyx Shell]]s''' were created by the [[Thousand Sons]] during the [[Great Crusade]]. Originally as simple projectile ammunition for use against [[Psychneuein]] on [[Prospero]], these psycho-reactive toxic shells were used in their elite units. However they were difficult to mass produce and thus their deployment was limited.{{Fn|18}}
*'''Inferno Bolts''' are designed to immolate their targets and destroy them with superheated chemical fire. The deuterium core is replaced with an oxy-phosphorus gel, known as Promethium. It should be noted that the [[Chaos Space Marine]] [[Thousand Sons]] have their own similarly-named but unrelated type of inferno bolts, which are actually psychically-bound slugs that release arcane energies; these slugs explode with sorcerous energies upon impact.
*'''Dragonfire Rounds''' are similar to Inferno Bolts, but contain superheated gas instead of Promethium. They are effective against enemies hidden behind cover as the superheated pocket of gas expands and immolate the foe even as they hide.
*'''Odysseus Bolts''' are bolts which are psychically impregnated. Fired into large objects, the distinctive signature of the bolt can then be tracked through the Warp by an Astropath.
*'''Gas-Powered Bolts''' are propelled only by the gas expelled from the barrel. As they lack the secondary rocket ignition, they are substantially more quiet than standard bolt rounds. As a result, they are used for stealth operations.{{Fn|8}}
*'''Tempest Bolts''' incorporate tiny [[plasma]] shock generators that emit electromagnetic and thermal radiation when the shell detonates. Produced only on [[Mars]], Tempest shells are noted as particularly effective against machines and mechanical targets.
*'''Bloodshard Bolts''' are ammunition used by the [[Blood Angels]] for their '''Angelus boltguns'''. Its payload of razor-filament is very effective against most armours.{{Fn|12}}
*'''Banestrike Bolts''' are mysterious shells believed to have been developed in secret by the [[Alpha Legion]] during the [[Great Crusade]]. Their sole purpose seems to have been to breach the [[ceramite]] [[Power Armour]] of [[Space Marine]]s. It was used openly for the first time at the [[Drop Site Massacre]] where they proved devastating{{Fn|11}}. The ammo was also infamously used by the [[Sons of Horus]] in various sizes{{Fn|19a}}{{Fn|19b}}. Known weapons that the Sons of Horus used the ammo in, included the modified [[Banestrike Fusilade]] [[bolt pistol]]s{{Fn|19a}} and [[Banestrike Bolt Cannon]]s.{{Fn|19b}}
*'''Korvidari Bolts''' are utilized by the [[Raven Guard]]. These are etched with raven-feather charms and sport an abnormally long range. The bolts are packed with extra propellant for superior range and accuracy. Each bolt also houses a minute, hyper-sensitive targeting and flight correction relay, allowing for a marksman's accuracy even against heavily obscured foes.{{Fn|13}}
**{{Endn|19a}}: pg. 213
**{{Endn|19b}}: pg. 218
*{{Endn|20}}: [[Liber Astartes(2nd Edition)]], pg.130
*{{Endn|21}}: [[The Eternal Crusader (Novella)]], Chapter 7
