CARTRIDGE FOR M16/AR15 RIFLES

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention sets forth a cartridge design that includes a bullet having a larger diameter than the 0.224 inch bullet currently included in the 223 Remington or 5.56 mm NATO cartridge and a case that has substantially the same base diameter as the case currently included in the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge. The overall length of the disclosed cartridge is substantially similar to the overall length as the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. Nos. 60/804,186 (Atty. Dock. No. KRAMER/001 (now KRMR/0002L)), filed Jun. 8, 2006; 60/807,448 (Atty. Dock. No. KRAMER/002 (now KRMR/0003L)) filed Jul. 14, 2006; 60/807,454 (Atty. Dock. No. KRAMER/003 (now KRMR/0004L)), filed Jul. 14, 2006; 60/807,459 (Atty. Dock. No. KRAMER/004 (now KRMR/0005L)), filed Jul. 14, 2006; 60/807,464 (Atty. Dock. No. KRAMER/005 (now KRMR/0006L)), filed Jul. 14, 2006; and 60/807,465 (Atty. Dock. No. KRAMER/006 (now KRMR/0007L)) filed Jul. 14, 2006 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relates generally to rifles and more specifically to a new cartridge design for M16/AR15 rifles.

2. Description of the Related Art

The current cartridge used for the M16/AR15 rifles is the 223 Remington (the civilian designation) or the 5.56 mm (×45 mm) NATO (the military designation). The overall performance of this cartridge has proven quite unsatisfactory, especially in combat applications, because of the small 224 caliber bullet used in the cartridge. In particular, the 224 caliber bullets tend to have poor terminal performance, where an insufficient amount of energy is transferred to the target upon impact, and they tend to loose energy rapidly after firing, which can cause the bullets to deflect off the intended target. Over the years, the weight of the 224 caliber bullet has been increased from fifty-five grain to sixty-two grain to seventy-seven grain in attempts to improve performance. To date, however, performance remains at issue.

Another attempted solution to the above problem introduces a new cartridge design commonly referred to as the 6.8 mm special purpose cartridge (SPC). This cartridge includes a larger 6.8 mm or 277 caliber bullet that weighs one-hundred and fifteen grains. Although the larger bullet provides better terminal performance, a larger case diameter is required to accommodate the extra gun powder needed to propel the heavier bullet. Since the larger case cannot be used with current M16/AR15 rifle magazines, implementing this solution would require modifying or replacing all existing rifle magazines. In addition, a bolt with a larger face would be needed to accept the case, which would require replacing all existing rifle bolts. Further, loading accessories, such as bandoleers and stripper clips are also incompatible with the SPC cartridge. In sum, the modifications to existing M16/AR15 rifles that would be required to effectively implement the 6.8 mm SPC make the 6.8 mm SPC an impractical solution to the above problem.

As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art is a cost effective, higher performance cartridge for M16/AR15 and similar rifles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention sets forth a cartridge design that includes a bullet having a larger diameter than the 0.224 inch bullet currently included in the 223 Remington or 5.56 mm NATO cartridge and a case that has substantially the same base diameter as the case currently included in the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge. The overall length of the disclosed cartridge is substantially similar to the overall length as the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge.

One advantage of the disclosed cartridge design is that a larger bullet is used, thereby increasing terminal performance. Further, the base diameter of the case and overall cartridge length can be accommodated by current M16/AR15 rifles without expensive modification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1A illustrates a template for cartridges for an M16/AR15 rifle, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a table illustrating dimensions for cartridges illustrated in FIG. 1A for an M16/AR15 rifle, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a template for reamers for manufacturing barrels for an M16/AR15 rifle so that the rifle will accommodate the cartridges illustrated in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present invention

FIG. 2B is a table illustrating dimensions for reamers illustrated in FIG. 2A for an M16/AR15 rifle, according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1A illustrates a template for cartridges for an M16/AR15 rifle, according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a table illustrating dimensions for cartridges illustrated in FIG. 1A for an M16/AR15 rifle, according to embodiments of the present invention. Abbreviations not illustrated in FIG. 1A are neck thickness NT and cartridge length CL.

As shown, six bullets 102, ranging from 6 mm to 7.62 mm in diameter, are used in combination with six respective cases 104 that have a base diameter, H, substantially similar or identical to the base diameter of the case included in the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge. Alternatively, any bullet having a larger diameter than the 0.224 inch diameter bullet may be used. The bullets 102 may be made from a metal, such as lead and jacketed with a second metal, such as copper, an alloy thereof, or steel. The bullets 102 may have hollow or solid points. The cases 104 may be made from a metal, such as brass. The top part of the case 104 is configured to accommodate the relatively wider diameter of the bullets 102. The overall length CL of the cartridge 100, when the bullet 102 and the case 104 are assembled, is substantially similar or identical to overall length of the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO.

Since both the base diameter of the cases 104 and the overall length of the cartridges 100 are substantially similar or identical to what is found in the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge, the cartridges 100 may be used with M16/AR15 rifles or any rifle that accepts 223 Remington or 5.56 mm NATO ammunition without expensive modification to those rifles. The cartridges 100 are compatible with existing bolts. The cartridges 100 are also compatible with existing magazines (with no or slight modification) and existing loading accessories. Further, the larger bullet 102 provides better terminal performance than the smaller 0.224 inch bullet currently used with M16/AR15 rifles. Further benefits, such as increased barrel life and decreased firing rate may also be realized by the cartridges 100. Thus, the disclosed cartridge designs are a substantial improvement over prior art cartridge designs.

The following is a non-exclusive list of gun powders that may be used with the disclosed cartridge 100: Accurate Arms 2460, Hodgdon H4895, Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H335, IMR 4064, Reloader 15 and VV N 133. High performance powders such as these may be used to compensate for the larger bullet 102 included in cartridges 100 to achieve additional performance benefits.

FIG. 2A illustrates a template for reamers for manufacturing barrels for an M16/AR15 rifle so that the rifle will accommodate the cartridges illustrated in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a table illustrating dimensions for reamers illustrated in FIG. 2A for an M16/AR15 rifle, according to embodiments of the present invention. Abbreviations not illustrated in FIG. 2A are shank length SHLG, Pilot Length PLLG, OAL Blank OLBK, Pilot Size PLSZ, Bore Size BORE, Groove Size GRV, Basic Brass BBRASS, Body TPI BDTPI, Neck TPI NKTPI, and Throat TPI THTPI.

The above description and figures illustrate various embodiments of the present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The above examples, embodiments, and drawings should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention. For example, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any cartridge design having an overall length and case outer diameter that are substantially similar to those of the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge, where the included bullet has a diameter greater than the 0.224 inch, falls within the scope of the present invention. The cartridges 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are simply examples of the present invention. Further, the cartridges 100 may be used with any rifle that accepts 223 Remington or 5.56 mm NATO ammunition, including bolt-action rifles and other gas operated rifles.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A rifle cartridge, comprising:

a bullet with a diameter greater than 6.5 mm; and

a case with a base diameter substantially similar to a base diameter of the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge,

wherein: a length of the rifle cartridge is substantially similar to a length the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge the cartridge is compatible with a standard bolt of an M16 or AR15 rifle.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the bullet diameter is greater than or equal to 6.8 mm and less than or equal to 7.62 mm.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the base diameter is identical to the base diameter of the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge.

4. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the length of the cartridge is identical to the length of the 223 Remington or the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge.

5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the bullet has a hollow point.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the bullet is made from lead and jacketed with a copper alloy and the case is made from brass.

7. A method of retrofitting an assault rifle that accepts 0.223 Remington or 5.56 mm NATO cartridges, comprising:

removing a barrel of the assault rifle; and

attaching a barrel configured to accept the cartridge of claim 1.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method consists essentially of:

removing a barrel of the assault rifle; and

attaching a barrel configured to accept the cartridge of claim 1.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

loading cartridges of claim 1 into an existing magazine of the assault rifle; and

firing the assault rifle using an existing bolt of the assault rifle.

10. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a high performance gun powder operable to compensate for the larger bullet.