Abstract: An ammunition cartridge has a tube extending along a central longitudinal axis from an aft end to a fore end. The tube has an interior surface and an exterior surface. A metallic head has a sleeve portion secured to the tube along an aft section of the tube and has a centrally-apertured web portion spanning the sleeve portion so as to form a base of the cartridge. A basewad is contained within the tube and is separately formed therefrom. The basewad is located proximate the aft end of the tube. The basewad has a generally cylindrical exterior surface engaging the interior surface of the tube, an aft surface contacting the metal head, an interior surface. The interior surface extends from a generally forward-facing inner portion, forward and outward to a generally inward-facing fore portion so as to define a skirt portion of the basewad between the exterior surface and interior surface. At least one projectile is carried within a fore volume of the tube. A propellant charge is located aft of the projectile.