Abstract: An improved shotshell of the type having a hull, a head at the proximal end, propellant disposed in the hull, a wad disposed in the hull distal to the propellant, and a load disposed in the hull in distal to the wad. The improvement comprises the load including a plurality of individual shot, at least a portion of which are at least partially surrounded by a friable material that breaks up upon the firing of the shell to release to the shot and results in a reduced rate of dispersion of the plurality of individual shot compared to cartridges without the friable material.

Abstract: An improved shotshell of the type having a hull, a head at the proximal end, propellant disposed in the hull, a wad disposed in the hull distal to the propellant, and a load disposed in the hull in distal to the wad. The improvement comprises the load including a plurality of individual shot, at least a portion of which are at least partially surrounded by a friable material that breaks up upon the firing of the shell to release to the shot and results in a reduced rate of dispersion of the plurality of individual shot compared to cartridges without the friable material.

Abstract: An improved shotshell of the type having a hull, a head at the proximal end, propellant disposed in the hull, a wad disposed in the hull distal to the propellant, and a load disposed in the hull in distal to the wad. The improvement comprises the load including a plurality of individual shot, at least a portion of which are at least partially surrounded by a friable material that breaks up upon the firing of the shell to release to the shot and results in a reduced rate of dispersion of the plurality of individual shot compared to cartridges without the friable material.

Abstract: A shot pellet for a shotshell. The shot pellet has a generally cubic shape comprising six generally square faces joined by rounded edges that have a radius of curvature of between about 15% and 40% of the distance between opposite faces of the generally cubic shaped pellet.

Abstract: A shot pellet for a shotshell. The shot pellet has a generally cubic shape comprising six generally square faces joined by rounded edges that have a radius of curvature of between about 15% and 40% of the distance between opposite faces of the generally cubic shaped pellet.

Abstract: A sabot-retaining shotshell cartridge and firing assembly including a barrel or barrel insert for firing the sabot-retaining shotshell cartridge. The shotshell cartridge includes a cylindrical hull, a sub-caliber projectile, a propellant charge, and a sabot. A central pathway or thin membrane is defined within the base of the sabot between the sub-caliber projectile and propellant charge. The barrel or barrel insert for firing the cartridge includes a transitional area between chamber and sub-caliber rifled bore to retain sabot in the cartridge. Upon cartridge firing, propellant gases flow through central portion of sabot base propelling projectile out of the sabot and into sub-caliber rifled bore.

Abstract: A sabot-retaining shotshell cartridge and firing assembly including a barrel or barrel insert for firing the sabot-retaining shotshell cartridge. The shotshell cartridge includes a cylindrical hull, a sub-caliber projectile, a propellant charge, and a sabot. A central pathway or thin membrane is defined within the base of the sabot between the sub-caliber projectile and propellant charge. The barrel or barrel insert for firing the cartridge includes a transitional area between chamber and sub-caliber rifled bore to retain sabot in the cartridge. Upon cartridge firing, propellant gases flow through central portion of sabot base propelling projectile out of the sabot and into sub-caliber rifled bore.

Abstract: A sabot-retaining shotshell cartridge and firing assembly including a barrel or barrel insert for firing the sabot-retaining shotshell cartridge. The shotshell cartridge includes a cylindrical hull, a sub-caliber projectile, a propellant charge, and a sabot. A central pathway or thin membrane is defined within the base of the sabot between the sub-caliber projectile and propellant charge. The barrel or barrel insert for firing the cartridge includes a transitional area between chamber and sub-caliber rifled bore to retain sabot in the cartridge. Upon cartridge firing, propellant gases flow through central portion of sabot base propelling projectile out of the sabot and into sub-caliber rifled bore.

Abstract: A sabot and shotshell combination includes a bullet, a shotshell hull, propellant, a shotshell primer, wadding, and a sabot comprising a molded member having a base portion and a plurality of petal portions each extending from a proximal base root to a distal tip, the base and petals defining a volume for accommodating a bullet. A reinforcement is at least partially embedded in the base, the reinforcement being more rigid than the molded member and having a plurality of apertures with the base portion extending through at least one of the apertures to retain the reinforcement within the molded member upon firing.

Abstract: A plastic, cup-shaped, multi-petal sabot housing a sub-caliber projectile for use such as in shotgun cartridges. The sabot engages the rifling of the shotgun barrel and transfers the spin to the projectile. A reinforcement disk is advantageously at least partially embedded in a sabot base and has a central aperture and a plurality of additional apertures. Sabot base material extends through the additional apertures. Advantageously, in its relaxed condition, each sabot petal includes a protrusion from its inboard surface for engaging a projectile ogive. The protrusion and its contact area with the projectile are fractions of the local petal width.

Abstract: A plastic, cup-shaped, multi-petal sabot housing a sub-caliber projectile for use such as in shotgun cartridges. The sabot engages the rifling of the shotgun barrel and transfers the spin to the projectile. A reinforcement disk is advantageously at least partially embedded in a sabot base and has a central aperture and a plurality of additional apertures. Sabot base material extends through the additional apertures. Advantageously, in its relaxed condition, each sabot petal includes a protrusion from its inboard surface for engaging a projectile ogive. The protrusion and its contact area with the projectile are fractions of the local petal width.

Abstract: A plastic, cup-shaped, multi-petal sabot housing a sub-caliber projectile for use such as in shotgun cartridges. The sabot engages the rifling of the shotgun barrel and transfers the spin to the projectile. A reinforcement disk is advantageously at least partially embedded in a sabot base and has a central aperture and a plurality of additional apertures. Sabot base material extends through the additional apertures. Advantageously, in its relaxed condition, each sabot petal includes a protrusion from its inboard surface for engaging a projectile ogive. The protrusion and its contact area with the projectile are fractions of the local petal width.

Abstract: A plastic, cup-shaped, multi-petal sabot housing a sub-caliber projectile for use such as in shotgun cartridges. The sabot engages the rifling of the shotgun barrel and transfers the spin to the projectile. A reinforcement disk is advantageously at least partially embedded in a sabot base and has a central aperture and a plurality of additional apertures. Sabot base material extends through the additional apertures. Advantageously, in its relaxed condition, each sabot petal includes a protrusion from its inboard surface for engaging a projectile ogive. The protrusion and its contact area with the projectile are fractions of the local petal width.