Abstract: A priming mix composition includes between about 30% and about 60% of at least one of KDNBF, dinol, and tetrazene as a primary explosive; between about 10% and about 35% of a metallocene as a propagation aid; between about 5% and about 40% of at least one nitrate, peroxide, or oxide, as an oxidizer; between about 5% and about 25% of at least one of nitrocellulose or PETN as a reactive fuel; and a fuel. The metallocene is preferable ferrocene.

Abstract: An improved shotshell of the type having a hull, having a propellant, a wad, and a load. The improvement comprises the load comprising of at least one non-spherical slug and shot, with at least one shot disposed in front of the slug in the hull.

Abstract: A shotshell comprising an elongate casing defining an internal chamber, a propellant located within said casing, and a shot load within the casing, the shot load comprising a plurality of disc-shaped projectiles, arranged in the casing so that the plane of each of the disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and a plurality of generally spherical projectiles disposed in the casing behind the generally disc-shaped projectiles.

Abstract: An improved shotshell of the type having a hull, having a propellant, a wad, and a load. The improvement comprises the load comprising of at least one non-spherical slug and shot, with at least one shot disposed in front of the slug in the hull.

Abstract: A relatively high carbon, water-atomized, steel shot is softened via annealing to render it suitable for ballistic use. The annealing preferably includes decarburization from a surface layer or throughout and preferably provides the shot with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250.

Abstract: There is provided a lead-free projectile suitable for use as a bullet to be fired from a pistol or rifle or as a slug to be fired from a shotgun. The projectile core is formed from a high purity tin and has deformation properties similar to that of lead based projectiles without the environmental hazards associated with lead.

Abstract: A relatively high carbon, water-atomized, steel shot is softened via annealing to render it suitable for ballistic use. The annealing preferably includes decarburization from a surface layer or throughout and preferably provides the shot with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250.

Abstract: A relatively high carbon, water-atomized, steel shot is softened via annealing to render it suitable for ballistic use. The annealing preferably includes decarburization from a surface layer or throughout and preferably provides the shot with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250.

Abstract: There is provided a lead-free projectile suitable for use as a bullet to be fired from a pistol or rifle. The projectile has a metallic jacket enveloping a metallic core. The core is formed from a high purity tin and has deformation properties similar to that of lead based projectiles without the environmental hazards associated with lead.

Abstract: A pellet orienting member has a groove extending along a diameters of a disc for receiving a plurality of shot pellets of a first layer. The pellet orienting member may include at least one support surface adjacent to the first groove adapted to contact at least one shot pellet from a second layer. The pellet orienting member may have an additional, or second, groove on a second side extending along a second diameter. Either or both grooves may contain a separator in the groove. The groove may be of differing sizes and shapes, or may even be two depressions.

Abstract: A pellet orienting member has a groove extending along a diameters of a disc for receiving a plurality of shot pellets of a first layer. The pellet orienting member may include at least one support surface adjacent to the first groove adapted to contact at least one shot pellet from a second layer. The pellet orienting member may have an additional, or second, groove on a second side extending along a second diameter. Either or both grooves may contain a separator in the groove. The groove may be of differing sizes and shapes, or may even be two depressions.

Abstract: The invention uses a pair of curved opposed diagonal bars between the wad and cup. The bars (deformable resistance members) buckle in the radial direction and end up basically flat between the wad and cup to give surprisingly and unexpectedly high amounts of collapse (80% or more). This allows the space between wad and cup to be decreased significantly without sacrificing cushioning.

Abstract: A moisture seal over shot wad for a roll crimped shotshell casing. The seal has a pair of spaced tubular flanges which comprise the rim portion of the disk shaped over shot wad. The tubular flanges are designed to receive the terminal end of the shotshell casing as the roll crimp is formed to frictionally engage the terminal end and seal the casing against the intrusion of moisture.

Abstract: A shotshell having a maximum interior volume is disclosed comprising a tubular casing wall made of the biaxially oriented high density polyethylene, and injection molded basewad also made of high density polyethylene molded in place at one end of the tubular casings to close the end. The basewad has a skirt portion fused to the tubular wall to bond the basewad and the tubular casing wall together while maintaining the biaxial integrity of the tubular casing wall.

Abstract: An improved reduced volume plastic basewad for a shotshell casing includes a generally solid cylindrical plastic body portion, an annular outer continuous skirt portion merging integrally and upwardly from the body portion, and a raised annular inner continuous hub portion merging integrally and upwardly from the body portion. The skirt and body portions define a continuous exterior surface sized relative an interior surface of a plastic tube of the casing for tightly frictionally fitting within the tube at a bottom end portion thereof providing a gas seal with the tube interior surface. The hub and body portions define a continuous interior surface forming an elongated pocket for receiving a primer in a tight frictional fitting relation in the pocket with an upper end of the primer disposed adjacent an upper end of the hub portion.