Abstract: A test method for determining impact effects and abrasion effects of particles such as rain, hail, dust, ice, sand, and micrometeoroids at speeds above Mach, i.e., higher than the speed of sound. The test method includes the steps of placement of balls in capsules, firing the capsules with a rifle firing system, hitting of the fired capsules and/or the balls to a target inside a firing range, recording the impact effects during a firing with a recording system, determining a durability and a lifetime of a test sample of test samples by calculating a number of the balls hitting the target and a number of shots providing an effect.

Abstract: Shotshells are provided which are loaded with at least two different shot charges, at least one of said charges being comprised of shot pellets with short-range shape(s) and at least another of said charges being comprised of shot pellets with long-range shape(s). Said shotshells are thereby capable of producing shotgun patterns that are suitable for both short-range and long-range shooting.

Abstract: A tracer cylinder for use with a shotgun shell to provide an aiming and training aid for shotgun shooting sports, which also can be used for military and police applications. The tracer cylinder, which contains a liquid, has one or more openings, each one releasably closed with a valve. The tracer cylinder is loaded into a shotgun shell and fired. After the valve in the bottom of the cylinder is released, the liquid is extracted through the opening by physical forces, creating a long-lasting mist or fog cloud that is visible to the shooter. The shooter is provided with a consistent and durable reference, allowing him or her to make effective corrections to his or her shooting technique. The tracer cylinder can be loaded into a shot holder, with or without shot pellets.

Abstract: A wad-less shotshell ammunition cartridge may, if desired, have the hull inserted into a cup shaped metal head bottom portion. The hull is pressed into the cup shaped metal bottom portion. The primer is inserted into the center of cup. A measured amount of appropriate propellant is poured into the open end of hull. The measured amount of propellant. An amount of granulated obturating medium is poured into the open end of hull over the propellant. A selectively measured amount of spherically shaped projectiles are poured into the hull. A solid projectile is substituted for the spherically shaped projectiles. A packing tool presses the air out of the mixture of granulated obturating medium, spherically shaped projectiles and propellant. The air is pressed out of the mixture then the projectile is packed into the hull. The packing tool is removed and the open end of hull is reverse rolled and sealed.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge for use with a gun which cartridge has a shotshell wad defining a rear charge receiving chamber and at least two forward shot or other projectile receiving chambers wherein a forward shot receiving chamber is formed of a solid disk including a plurality of shot pellets or similar projectiles embedded in a hardened binder material and wherein a rear shot or similar projectile receiving chamber houses unbound shot pellets or projectiles.

Abstract: A shotshell comprised of shot pellets of different densities and materials which provide increased effectiveness at both close and long range. Preferably the pellets are disposed in longitudinally stratified layers, with the more dense pellets located rearwardly of the pellets of lesser density. The pellets having the greater density maintain a closer pattern at long range, because they are preferably made of tungsten which has a high density and are located rearwardly, while the pellets having lesser density are preferably made of steel, describe a much wider pattern because of their lower density and forward location, and are therefore most effective at close range.

Abstract: Low toxicity shot or pellets for shotgun cartridges or the like comprises finely divided metallic particles, preferably a mixture of finely divided molybdenum and tungsten particles in a polymer matrix. The resulting pellets have a high density and are much less prone to damage the barrels of guns from which they are fired than prior suggested alternatives to lead shot. If desired, friction between the pellets and gun barrels may be further reduced by incorporating a lubricant, such as molybdenum sulphide or graphite in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for manufacturing a flechette load, a series of operative steps are carried out to produce a matrix-supported load of flechettes held in a desired array. First, a load of flechettes are mounted by a die end cap in a desired array in which at least the trailing end portions thereof are exposed and disposed in closely spaced side-by-side relation. Next, the die end cap is assembled to a die body such that at least the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes are placed in the mold cavity of the assembled die. A mixture of expandable thermoplastic beads and, preferably, a bond weakening agent is also placed in the mold cavity with the mixture surrounding the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes therein. Finally, the mixture is heated so as to produce in the mold cavity directly on and about the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes a matrix in the form of a solid foam body of a thermoplastic foam material.

Abstract: A projectile forms the head of a carrier having a defined ballistic trajectory and comprises sub-munitions that are ejected at a given moment on the trajectory of the projectile and are designed to reach an impact zone with a pre-defined shape. In the main projectile, the sub-munitions are arranged so that:firstly, they are ejected in a controlled direction,and secondly, at ejection, a cone of dispersion of projectiles with a pre-defined shape is obtained, the said shape being adapted to the shape of the target zone.

Abstract: A projectile delivery apparatus for enhancing the penetration capability of a projectile including a friable capsule, which traverses the distance from a firearm to a preselected target while retaining the launch weight of the projectile intact, and a projectile, which is mounted internally of the friable capsule and is released from the capsule to achieve increased penetration of the target.

Abstract: A multiple projectile cartridge for a handgun comprises four spherical projectiles embedded within a paraffin/powder filler material contained within a plastic casing enclosed in a conventional small caliber shell containing the usual primer assembly and powder charge. The projectiles each have a diameter slightly less than the internal casing diameter which maximizes the number of shots and mass traveling at high velocity to strike the target. The single row of projectiles are longitudinally spaced from each other by the filler material so that the projectiles do not crunch together during flight, resulting in a shot string held together in a close pattern of high ballistic integrity. The diametral relationship (i.e., clearance) between the projectile diameter and internal casing diameter also prevents the plastic casing side wall from laterally expanding as the casing travels through the gun barrel to prevent groove fouling.