Answer :
Final answer:
A gap between the bullet base and powder can cause the firearm's barrel to bulge and potentially explode due to increased pressure, and it can also lead to decreased accuracy and impact on the target.
Explanation:
If there is a gap between the base of the bullet (sabot) and the powder in a firearm, the most concerning outcome is that the barrel could bulge and explode. This gap can cause a dangerous increase in pressure as the powder burns and expands. If the bullet is not seated properly, this pressure has nowhere to go, which can lead to a catastrophic failure of the barrel. Moreover, this gap can also lead to decreased accuracy and impact on the target because the bullet's trajectory can be unpredictably altered as a result of uneven propulsion forces.