Ode to the lowly M1 Carbine...

[vintage hunter]

The term ''ball'', as used by the military in reference to a projectiles fired by small arms, is a hold over from the old days when a standard round of ammunition consisted of a charge of powder and a single round lead ball. The modern use of the term ball is synonymous for standard and the standard bullet for the .22LR round is a 40 grain lead round nose.