What term describes a round that fails to fire due to insufficient powder or primer?

The term that describes a round that fails to fire due to insufficient powder or primer is a squib load. This occurs when the cartridge does not have enough propellant to generate the force necessary to propel the bullet out of the barrel, or if the primer fails to ignite adequately, resulting in the bullet getting lodged in the barrel. Squib loads can be particularly dangerous because they may lead to a situation where the shooter fires another round while the first bullet is still in the barrel, potentially causing a catastrophic failure of the firearm.

In contrast, a misfire generally refers to a situation where a cartridge fails to fire at all, which may be due to various factors including issues with ignition components, but does not imply that a bullet was lodged in the barrel. A jam refers to a mechanical failure where the firearm cannot cycle properly, often because of feeding issues. A blank, on the other hand, is designed not to fire a projectile but to produce a loud noise and is used in training and theatrical performances. Understanding these distinctions is important for ensuring safety and proper handling of firearms in various contexts.