Abstract: Shot projectiles are disclosed that are not completely spherical. The shot has an equatorial ring, top and bottom poles, and one or more sections extending between the ring and the respective poles. The ring defines a vertical height relative to an overall diameter of the projectile. The one or more sections provide flat, concave, or convex surfaces.

Abstract: Devices and methods for shotshell cartridges, particularly shotshell cartridges with biodegradable components. One or more of the casing, shot wad, spacer, and powder wad may be formed of biodegradable materials. A biodegradable shot wad is manufactured of cellulosic fibers and wax to provide obturation and gas seal properties at high pressures with high reliability.

Abstract: Bismuth-based firearm projectiles, optionally firearm cartridges containing the same, and methods for forming bismuth-tin-copper alloys or bismuth-nickel alloys and bismuth-based firearm projectiles are disclosed herein. The bismuth-based firearm projectiles include a projectile body comprising a bismuth-tin-copper alloy or bismuth-nickel alloy that forms at least 90 wt % of the projectile body.

Abstract: A cartridge with a bullet has desirable penetration capabilities and controlled separation of components upon terminal impact. In embodiments of the invention, the bullet comprises a forward component, a lead core, and a copper jacket. The bullet having a forward nose portion with a plurality of cutaways spaced circumferentially about the nose portion. The copper jacket having a leading edge portion positioned at the cutaways.

Abstract: Devices and methods for chambering and releasing a high pressure cartridge case from a firearm. In some embodiments, a static chamber insert of high elastic modulus is disclosed. In some embodiments, a dynamic or adaptable chamber insert that radially expands in an out-of-battery configuration and radially contracts in a battery configuration is disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for an 8 mm semiautomatic handgun cartridge providing a reduced form factor for carrying a greater number of rounds in a smaller space while maintaining ballistic performance.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a projectile includes a projectile body including a tail portion, a nose portion, a barrel engaging portion between the nose portion and the tail portion, and a metal jacket that defines an exterior of the projectile that surrounds an interior solid core. In one or more embodiments the projectile includes one or more circumferential grooves defined in the interior core portion, each of the one or more circumferential grooves covered by and positioned adjacent to the metal jacket and within the barrel-engaging portion. In various embodiments, during firing of the projectile, the one or more circumferential grooves define a void that allows material of one or more of the metal jacket and interior solid core to displace into the void for reduction in radial stiffness to the projectile in the barrel engaging portion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for an 8 mm or .32 caliber semiautomatic handgun cartridge providing a reduced form factor for carrying a greater number of rounds in a smaller space while maintaining ballistic performance.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to manufacturing an insert-molded expanding projectile. Aspects of the disclosure include locating a portion of a projectile body within a converging tip mold, the projectile body including a metal jacket extending from a tail portion to a nose portion and surrounding an interior solid core. The metal jacket and nose portion may be tapered in a forward direction to an annular forward edge defining an opening to an undercut interior cavity. Melted polymer may be injected into the converging tip mold and allowed to cool thereby forming a polymer tip having a main portion forward of the opening and a tip retention portion filling the undercut interior cavity and having a shape corresponding to the undercut interior cavity to retain the polymer tip in place.

Abstract: A system for firing reduced energy cartridges from a modern sporting rifle utilizes a bolt assembly weighing less than a conventional bolt assembly for such rifles and utilizes blow back for cycling the bolt assembly rather than gas operation. A bolt insert in a polymer bolt carrier of the bolt assembly has a projection that fits within a recess on the rear face of reduced energy cartridges. The reduced energy cartridges having a polymer casing, a rimfire power load for propellant, the power load recessed from the rear face of the casing. Tuning the bolt may comprise adjusting the weight of the bolt or the sliding resistance of the bolt assembly in the upper receiver. The bolt may be formed by metal injection molding with a polymer bolt carrier attached thereto.

Abstract: Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.

Abstract: Muzzleloader systems including a pre-packaged propellant charge with a primer and receptacle. The muzzleloader system may include a propellant containment vessel separate from the primer and the projectile and that doesn't contact with the projectile until assembly. The muzzleloader may be rear loading, with a constriction portion forward of the breech chamber. The propellant containment vessel may include a body portion having a forward opening, with a propellant charge disposed therein and a cap portion that is crimp rolled within the mouth of the vessel to seal the forward opening. The closed end of the propellant containment vessel may define a primer receptacle configured to receive the primer. The receptacle may define a depth that is less than the primer height so that, when inserted into the receptacle, the primer extends rearwardly beyond the containment vessel. The muzzleloader system may be configured to fire only specifically configured propellant containment vessels.

Abstract: Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges, and methods for forming the same. The projectiles are formed from metal powder and include an anti-sparking agent. One or more of iron, zinc, bismuth, tin, copper, nickel, tungsten, boron, and/or alloys thereof may form the metal powder. The projectiles may be formed from a compacted mixture of two or more different metal powders. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid, zinc chloride, and/or petrolatum. The anti-sparking agent may be dispersed within, and/or applied as a coating on, the exterior of the projectile. The compacted mixture may be heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. Such domains may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does form a liquid phase of the metal powder or utilize a polymeric binder.

Abstract: Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges containing the same, and methods for forming the same. The firearm projectiles are formed from compacted metal powders that may include an anti-sparking agent. The compacted metal powders may be or include a compacted mixture of metal powders that may include powders of one or more of iron, zinc, bismuth, copper, tungsten, nickel, boron, and/or alloys thereof, and/or oxides thereof. The compacted mixture may be heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. The frangible firearm projectile may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does not include forming a liquid phase of any of the metal powders or utilizing a polymeric binder. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid.

Abstract: A two piece, two-stage, reduced-energy mechanically operating cartridge is provided for launching, a configured bullet choice of various compositions from a dedicated or modified firearm. The cartridge unit is comprised of a primary case having a cavity to receive a propellant unit or propellant connection and a piston sleeve having a cavity to receive the configured bullet choice, the primary case coupled to the piston sleeve. The cartridge having a retracted pre-firing state and an expanded fired state whereby the piston sleeve and primary case telescope apart forcing the firearm's slide or bolt to the rear, a mechanical operation opposed to a conventional cartridge with gas blow back operations.

Abstract: A projectile of non-lethal composition includes an outer casing that is substantially sealed prior to impact with a target both when the projectile is in a static condition and when the projectile is in a dynamic condition. A marking material is encapsulated within the outer casing prior to impact. The outer casing is configured to deform and unseal upon impact such that the marking material disperses forward via hydraulic action.

Abstract: A projectile of non-lethal composition includes an outer casing that is substantially sealed prior to impact with a target both when the projectile is in a static condition and when the projectile is in a dynamic condition. A marking material is encapsulated within the outer casing prior to impact. The outer casing is configured to deform and unseal upon impact such that the marking material disperses forward via hydraulic action.

Abstract: A projectile of non-lethal composition includes an outer casing that is substantially sealed prior to impact with a target both when the projectile is in a static condition and when the projectile is in a dynamic condition. A marking material is encapsulated within the outer casing prior to impact. The outer casing is configured to deform and unseal upon impact such that the marking material disperses forward via hydraulic action.

Abstract: A two piece, two-stage, rechargeable, reusable, reduced-energy mechanically operating cartridge is provided for launching a bullet of various compositions from a dedicated or modified firearm. The cartridge unit is comprised of a primary case, a piston sleeve, a propellant unit, and a bullet choice of a solid light weight material for inanimate-target applications or a “marking” version for non-lethal live-target training applications. Cartridge includes a piston sleeve and a primary case coupled together via a channel and cog locking/traveling/unlocking system. The primary case includes a substantially non-deformable jacket defining a cavity to receive a propellant unit or propellant connection and provides the channels to receive piston sleeves cogs for a locking/traveling/unlocking feature. The piston sleeve includes a substantially non-deformable jacket defining a cavity to receive configured bullet.