Frangible Bullet Tip

Abstract

A bullet tip comprises a body having a tail section and a nose section, the body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal, wherein the nose section comprises an ogive shape, wherein the tail section is configured for insertion into a cavity in a bullet main body, and, wherein the bullet tip is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments relate to ammunition, and more particularly, to frangible ammunition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ammunition is available in a wide variety of types and sizes that correspond to a large array of uses. Law enforcement, such as police officers, SWAT teams, and federal agents, often seek ammunition with particular characteristics. For example, lead free ammunition is popular among law enforcement, since lead can be toxic after long term exposure. Also, frangible ammunition is typically used by law enforcement since it exhibits controlled penetration into targets, and is less likely to cause injury or damage to persons and objects distant from the point of bullet impact.

Recently, there has been a renewed interest among law enforcement and hunters into ammunition that exhibits higher penetration capacity. Law enforcement desire higher penetration capacity ammunition in situations where a perpetrator may possess body armor and hunters desire higher penetration capacity ammunition in situations where certain game, such as wild boar, may have a tough exterior layer of skin or hair. One solution to these problems is the use of well-known armor piercing bullets that typically comprise a penetrator of a hardened metal designed to carry the maximum possible amount of energy as deeply as possible into the target. The problem with said armor piercing bullets is two-fold. First, armor piercing bullets do not exhibit controlled penetration into targets, and in fact are designed to travel as far into a target as possible. This can result in said bullet travelling through a target and causing injury or damage to persons and objects distant from the point of bullet impact. Second, armor piercing bullets are subject to more stringent federal laws that restrict the use and sale of said ammunition. Thus, it is not desirable to utilize ammunition that has been designated as armor piercing, due to said legal restrictions.

Consequently, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art, and more particularly for ammunition that meets all of the needs of law enforcement and hunters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, according to an embodiment of the claimed subject matter, a frangible bullet tip is disclosed. A bullet tip comprises a body having a tail section and a nose section, the body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal, wherein the nose section comprises an ogive shape, wherein the tail section is configured for insertion into a cavity in a bullet main body, and, wherein the bullet tip is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules.

In another embodiment, a round of ammunition comprises a bullet main body including a bore extending through a longitudinal axis of the bullet main body, a bullet tip comprising a body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite, the body having: a) a tail section with a cylindrical shape inserted into, and secured to, the bore of the bullet main body and b) a nose section with an ogive shape, wherein the bullet tip is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules.

In yet another embodiment, method of making a bullet tip comprises mixing a metal matrix composite comprising a first metal powder with a first melting temperature and a second metal powder with a second melting temperature lower that the first melting temperature, pressing said composite into a compact having a tail section, comprising a protrusion configured for insertion into a cavity in a bullet main body, and a nose section having an ogive shape, partially sintering said compact at a temperature such that the second metal powder reaches a partially molten state and bonds the first metal powder, and wherein the compact that was partially sintered is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosed embodiments, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective and cross sectional view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective and cross sectional view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side cross sectional view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a bullet main body of the round of ammunition, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view of a bullet main body of the round of ammunition, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective and cross sectional view of a bullet main body of the round of ammunition, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a bullet tip of the round of ammunition, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a bullet tip of the round of ammunition, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a bullet tip of the round of ammunition, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a round of ammunition, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective and exploded view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of a bullet tip of a round ammunition, according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a side cross-sectional view of a round of ammunition including a frangible bullet tip, according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a frangible bullet tip for a round of ammunition, according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of a frangible bullet tip for a round of ammunition, according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a frangible bullet tip for a round of ammunition, according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a side perspective view of a frangible bullet tip for a round of ammunition, according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a front view of a frangible bullet tip for a round of ammunition, according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a side view of a frangible bullet tip for a round of ammunition, according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a side perspective view of a frangible bullet tip for a round of ammunition, according to the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While the disclosed embodiments may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the claimed subject matter. Instead, the proper scope of the claimed subject matter is defined by the appended claims.

The disclosed embodiments provide a frangible bullet tip that meets the requirements of law enforcement and hunters. The disclosed bullet tip, when utilized with a bullet main body, provides a round of ammunition that exhibits the benefits of frangible ammunition—i.e., controlled penetration and safety of persons and objects distant from the point of bullet impact—while also providing a high penetration capacity that meets the needs of law enforcement and hunters. The disclosed bullet tip, when utilized with a bullet main body, also provides a round of ammunition that provides a high penetration capacity while at the same time does not meet the legal classification of an armor piercing round, and therefore is not subject to the onerous restrictions on sales and use of said rounds. Therefore, the disclosed bullet tip provides a product that is safe to utilize, meets the desires of law enforcement and hunters and also is not subject to extra legal restrictions. In one embodiment, the disclosed bullet tip is also lead free, which meets the occupational safety needs of law enforcement and many hunters.

The round of ammunition 100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 13 below, according to a first embodiment. FIGS. 1-7 are illustrations of the round of ammunition 100 including the bullet tip 102 and the bullet main body 110, while FIGS. 8-10 are illustrations solely of the bullet main body 110 and FIGS. 11-13 are illustrations solely of the bullet tip 102.

A round of ammunition 100 may comprise a bullet main body 110 including a bore 800 extending through a longitudinal axis 802 of the bullet main body, and a bullet tip 102 comprising a body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite, the body having: a) a tail section 1102 with a cylindrical shape inserted into, and secured to, the bore 800 of the bullet main body and b) a nose section 1100 with a conical or ogive shape. The bore 800 results in the bullet main body 110 exhibiting hollow-point bullet characteristics well-known in the art, such as mushroom expansion of the bullet main body upon impact with a soft target.

The bullet tip is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules. The penetration capacity of a projectile is the amount of energy, measured in joules, that the projectile delivers to the target. A joule is the energy transferred (or work done) to an object when a force acts on that object in the direction of its motion through a particular distance. The penetration capacity of a projectile is related to the physical properties of the bullet, such as caliber, muzzle velocity, bullet mass, bullet shape, and bullet material.

The bullet tip 102 is frangible. A frangible bullet is designed to break up on impact, so as not to cause harm to people and things beyond the target. Frangible bullets are typically associated with a low penetration capacity. Since frangible bullets break up on impact, the energy is quickly dissipated and therefore there is typically low penetration of the bullet into the target. The disclosed round of ammunition 100, however, exhibits a high penetration capacity of at least 800 joules, in spite of its frangible nature. This is due to the physical properties of the bullet, such as its caliber, muzzle velocity, bullet mass, bullet shape, and bullet material. For example, the ogive or pointed shape of the bullet tip 102 concentrates the force of impact of the bullet on a small area, i.e., the apex of the bullet tip 102, when the bullet strikes the target. The inventive concept of the claimed embodiments is the exhibition of high penetration capacity while at the same time exhibiting frangible bullet characteristics, such as breaking up upon impact at impact velocities of approximately 1,800 to 3,200 feet per second. The exhibition of high penetration capacity while at the same time exhibiting frangible bullet characteristics is an unexpected result, because conventional ballistics knowledge dictates that a bullet exhibiting frangible bullet characteristics cannot also exhibit a high penetration capacity at the same time because the frangible nature of the bullet will result in a disintegrated bullet at impact, thereby reducing or eliminating the bullet's ability to penetrate into the target.

The bullet tip 102 may also be configured to exhibit a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in a soft target. The purpose of controlled penetration is not to harm or damage anything behind the target. Controlled penetration bullets can be used for hunting and civilian antipersonnel purposes, though they are not generally used by the military, since the use of expanding bullets in international conflicts is prohibited by the Hague Convention and because these bullets have less chance of penetrating hard obstacles. Controlled penetration bullets are designed to increase their surface area on impact, thus creating greater drag and limiting the travel through the target. In some applications, preventing exit from the rear of the target is also desirable. Controlled penetration bullets can cause massive trauma to the target. Conversely, when controlled penetration bullets fail, it is due to under-penetration, and the damage to the target is superficial and leads to very slow incapacitation. On the other hand, a perforating bullet (i.e., a non-controlled penetration bullet) that penetrates a target through-and-through can then continue on (likely not coaxial to the original trajectory due to target deflection) and might cause unintended damage or injury.

Ogive shaped or pointed bullets are typically associated with little or no controlled penetration. Since ogive shaped or pointed bullets exhibit substantial penetration of the bullet into the target due to its shape, this limits the ability of the bullet to exhibit controlled penetration. The disclosed round of ammunition 100, however, exhibits a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in a soft target, in spite of its ogive shaped or pointed nature. This is due to the physical properties of the bullet, such as its frangible nature and the bullet material. For example, the frangible nature of the round 100 allows said bullet to disintegrate when the bullet strikes the target. Another inventive concept of the claimed embodiments is the exhibition of high penetration capacity while at the same time exhibiting a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in a soft target. The exhibition of high penetration capacity while at the same time exhibiting a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in a soft target is an unexpected result, because conventional ballistics knowledge dictates that a bullet exhibiting controlled penetration distance characteristics cannot also exhibit a high penetration capacity at the same time because the controlled penetration nature of the bullet will reduce or eliminate the bullet's ability to penetrate into the target.

In one embodiment, the bullet 100, when fully assembled, displays a continuous and unbroken ogive shape 720 in the transition 710 from the bullet main body 110 to the bullet tip 102. In ballistics and aerodynamics, an ogive shape is a pointed, curved shape mainly used to form the approximately streamlined nose of a bullet or other projectile. An ogive shape may be a secant ogive, a tangent ogive, a spitzer ogive, or an elliptical ogive. The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 102 is expressed by the ratio of the apex radius to the diameter of the cylinder; a value of one half being a hemispherical dome, and larger values being progressively more pointed. The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 102 may be between 4 to 10. The angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 102 may be about 58 degrees. The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 102 and the angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 102 allow the impact energy of the bullet 100 to be concentrated on a small impact area upon impact on the target, thereby contributing to the penetration capacity of the bullet.

The construction of the bullet tip 102 and the bullet main body 110 is configured such that upon impact of the bullet 100 on a target, such as a soft target, the bullet tip 102 either disintegrates or falls away upon impact, thereby exposing the bore 800. The bullet tip 102 either disintegrates or falls away upon impact due to the energy of impact breaking the structure of the bullet tip 102 and/or the metal matrix bonds that hold the powdered metal that comprises the bullet tip. Once the bore 800 in the bullet main body 110 is exposed, it allows material of the target to enter the bore or hollow point area of the bullet main body, thereby causing the well-known mushroom effect that is exhibited by hollow point bullets.

In another embodiment, FIG. 3 shows that the bullet 100 includes a bevel 302 at its base, which results in the frustum of a cone shape. A frustum is the portion of a solid (normally a cone) that lies between two parallel planes cutting the solid. Thus, the rear of the bullet 100 is in the shape of the frustum of a cone due to the bevel 302. Tapering the back of the bullet in a frustum shape reduces drag, particularly at speeds less than supersonic.

In yet another embodiment, FIG. 12 shows that the bullet tip 102 includes a bevel 1202 at its base, which results in the frustum of a cone shape. Thus, the rear of the tail section 1102 of the bullet tip 102 is in the shape of the frustum of a cone due to the bevel 1202.

Note that the bore 800 may be cylindrical shaped with a rectangular shaped cross section (see FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 9). Specifically, the bottom surface 902 of the bore 800 makes a corner with 90 degree angles with the sidewalls of the bore 800 (see FIG. 9, for example). Due to the bevel 1202 in the bullet tip 102, when the bullet tip is inserted into the bore 800 (i.e., when the bullet 100 is fully assembled), a cavity 750 may form between the bevel 1202 and the corner of the bottom surface 902 and the sidewalls of the bore 800. This cavity may function as an area into which the bullet tip 102 expands when the bullet 100 impacts a target.

In yet another embodiment, the distance 702 the tail section 1102 extends into the bore 800 of the bullet main body 110 is commensurate with a length of the bore 800 of the bullet main body. In this case, the tail section 1102 extends into the bore 800 of the bullet main body 110 such that a rear wall 1302 of the tail section 1102 contacts a bottom wall 902 of the bore 800 of the bullet main body.

In one embodiment, the bullet main body 110 may comprise a cavity of any shape, size or type (in lieu of a bore) and the tail section 1102 may comprise a protrusion of any shape, size or type (in lieu of a cylinder), which is inserted into the cavity of the bullet main body.

Note that FIGS. 11 through 13 show an embodiment wherein the tail section 1102 of the bullet tip 102 is approximately a cylindrical shaft and the nose section 1100 is approximately an ogive shape or a conical shape. In this embodiment, the radius of the base of the nose section 1100 is greater than the radius of the tail section, thereby resulting in an overhang or eave, wherein the edges of the base of the nose section 1100 overhang the external surface of the shaft of the tail section 1102 and project beyond it.

The round of ammunition 100 may be manufactured by mixing a metal matrix composite comprising a first metal powder with a first melting temperature and a second metal powder with a second melting temperature lower that the first melting temperature, pressing said composite into a compact having a tail section, comprising a protrusion configured for insertion into a cavity in a bullet main body, and a nose section having a conical or ogive shape. Said compact may have a density of about 7.92 to 8.4 grams per cm cubed. The density of the bullet 100 and/or the bullet tip 102 (its mass per unit volume) contributes to the impact energy of the bullet 100 (which is proportional to the mass of the bullet) translated to the impact area upon impact on the target, thereby contributing to the penetration capacity of the bullet.

The partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite may include a first metal powder (of copper, for example) with a first melting temperature, and a second metal powder (such as tin) with a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature, wherein the second metal powder partially liquefies (or becomes partially molten) when said metal matrix composite is partially sintered, such that said second powder acts as a binder for said first metal powder. I.e., at the temperatures used to partially sinter the powdered metal matrix composite (which may range from 1500 to 1900 degrees Fahrenheit), said second powder becomes partially molten while said first powder remains in its solid state. The composition of the bullet tip 102 allow said tip to withstand deformation at temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius.

In one embodiment, the powdered metal matrix composite is fully sintered rather than partially sintered. In this embodiment, the second metal powder fully liquefies (or becomes molten) when said metal matrix composite is fully sintered, such that said second powder acts as a binder for said first metal powder.

In another embodiment, in lieu of a powdered metal matrix composite, a simple powdered metal is used, with no matrix composite components. In yet another embodiment, the powdered metal or the powdered metal matrix composite is lead free.

In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 15 through 19, a round of ammunition 1500 may comprise a frangible bullet main body 1510 including a bore 1580 extending through a longitudinal axis of the bullet main body, and a frangible bullet tip 1502 comprising a body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite, the body having: a) a tail section 1822 with a cylindrical shape inserted into, and secured to, the bore 1580 of the bullet main body and b) a nose section 1820 with a conical or ogive shape. The bullet tip 1502 is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules, and to exhibit a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in a soft target.

Note that FIGS. 15, 16 and 19 show that the bullet 1500 exhibits a bi-conic or bi-ogive forward section shape, which comprises a cone or ogive shaped nose section 1820 stacked on top of a frustum of a cone or ogive (commonly known as a conical transition section shape) comprising the bullet main body 1822. The base of the upper cone or ogive 1820 is smaller in radius to the top radius of the frustum of a cone or ogive comprising the bullet main body 1822. As a result, a lip or brim 1602 is exhibited in FIG. 16. This lip 1602 comprises a circular planar element that is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the bullet 1500.

In one embodiment, FIG. 18 shows that the bullet tip 1502 includes a bevel 1802 at its base, which results in the frustum of a cone shape. Thus, the rear of the tail section 1822 of the bullet tip 1502 is in the shape of the frustum of a cone due to the bevel 1802. Note that the bore 1580 may be cylindrical shaped with a rectangular shaped cross section (see FIG. 19). Specifically, the bottom surface of the bore 1580 makes a corner with 90 degree angles with the sidewalls of the bore 1580. Due to the bevel 1802 in the bullet tip 1502, when the bullet tip is inserted into the bore 1580 (i.e., when the bullet 1500 is fully assembled), a cavity 1902 may form between the bevel 1802 and the corner of the bottom surface and the sidewalls of the bore 1580. This cavity may function as an area into which the bullet tip 1502 expands when the bullet 1500 impacts a target.

Note that FIGS. 17-18 show an embodiment wherein the tail section 1822 of the bullet tip 1502 is approximately a cylindrical shaft and the nose section 1820 is approximately an ogive shape or a conical shape. In this embodiment, the radius of the base of the nose section 1820 is equal to the radius of the tail section, thereby resulting in the lack of any overhang or eave, wherein the edges of the base of the nose section overhang the shaft.

The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 1502 may be between 4 to 10. The angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 1502 may be about 82 degrees. The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 1502 and the angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 1502 allow the impact energy of the bullet 1500 to be concentrated on a small impact area upon impact on the target, thereby contributing to the penetration capacity of the bullet.

In a third embodiment, shown in FIGS. 20 through 22, a round of ammunition 2000 may comprise a frangible bullet main body 2010 including a bore extending through a longitudinal axis of the bullet main body, and a frangible bullet tip 2002 comprising a body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite, the body having: a) a tail section with a cylindrical shape inserted into, and secured to, the bore of the bullet main body and b) a nose section with a conical or ogive shape. The bullet tip 2002 is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules, and to exhibit a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in a soft target.

In one embodiment, FIG. 21 shows that the bullet tip 2002 includes a bevel 2100 at its base, which results in the frustum of a cone shape. Thus, the rear of the tail section of the bullet tip 2002 is in the shape of the frustum of a cone due to the bevel 2100. Note that the bore may be cylindrical shaped with a rectangular shaped cross section (see FIG. 20). Specifically, the bottom surface of the bore makes a corner with 90 degree angles with the sidewalls of the bore. Due to the bevel 2100 in the bullet tip 2002, when the bullet tip is inserted into the bore (i.e., when the bullet 2000 is fully assembled), a cavity 2020 may form between the bevel 2100 and the corner of the bottom surface and the sidewalls of the bore. This cavity may function as an area into which the bullet tip 2002 expands when the bullet 2000 impacts a target.

The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 2002 may be between 4 to 10. The angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 2002 may be about 82 degrees. The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 2002 and the angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 2002 allow the impact energy of the bullet 2000 to be concentrated on a small impact area upon impact on the target, thereby contributing to the penetration capacity of the bullet.

In a fourth embodiment, shown in FIGS. 23 through 25, a round of ammunition may comprise a frangible bullet tip 2302 comprising a body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite, the body having: a) a cylindrical body shape for insertion into the bore of the bullet main body, b) a nose section with a frusto-conical shape, c) a tail section with a frusto-conical shape and d) one or more flutes or channels in the exterior surface of the cylinder body. The bullet tip 2302 is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules, and to exhibit a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in a soft target.

Both the nose section and the tail section of the bullet tip 2302 is in the shape of the frustum of a cone due to the apex of both cones (at the tail section and at the nose section) being flat 2310. Recall (with regard to the description of FIG. 20 above) that bottom surface of the bore makes a corner with 90 degree angles with the sidewalls of the bore. Due to the frusto-conical shape of the tail section of the bullet tip 2302, when the bullet tip is inserted into the bore, a cavity may form between the frusto-conical shape of the tail section and the corner of the bottom surface and the sidewalls of the bore. This cavity may function as an area into which the bullet tip 2302 expands when the bullet impacts a target.

The bullet tip 2302 includes one or more flutes or channels 2320 in the exterior surface of the cylinder body. Each channel extends along an entire surface of the cylindrical shaped area of the bullet tip 2302. The FIGS. show four channels evenly distributed along the circumference of the bullet tip 2302, though the claimed subject matter supports any number of channels in the exterior surface of the cylinder body. When the bullet tip is inserted into the bullet main body, a cavity forms between the semi-circular shape of the flutes and the circular sidewalls of the bore. This cavity may function as an area into which the material of a soft target may enter when the bullet impacts the soft target, thereby causing trauma to the bullet tip 2302 and causing the bullet tip to fall away, break up or disintegrate. Consequently, once the bullet tip has fallen away or disintegrates, the bore 800 of the bullet main body is exposed and allows material of the soft target to enter the bore and cause the bullet main body to mushroom. This cavity may also function as an area into which the bullet tip 2302 expands when the bullet impacts a target.

The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 2302 may be between 4 to 10. The angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 2302 may be about 90 degrees. The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 2302 and the angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 2302 allow the impact energy of the bullet to be concentrated on a small impact area upon impact on the target, thereby contributing to the penetration capacity of the bullet.

In a fifth embodiment, shown in FIGS. 26 through 27, a round of ammunition may comprise a frangible bullet tip 2602 comprising a body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite, the body having: a) a cylindrical body shape for insertion into the bore of the bullet main body, b) a nose section with a frusto-conical shape, and c) a tail section with a frusto-conical shape. The bullet tip 2602 is configured to fragment upon impact while exhibiting a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules, and to exhibit a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in a soft target.

Both the nose section and the tail section of the bullet tip 2602 is in the shape of the frustum of a cone due to the apex of both cones (at the tail section and at the nose section) being flat 2610. Recall (with regard to the description of FIG. 20 above) that bottom surface of the bore makes a corner with 90 degree angles with the sidewalls of the bore. Due to the frusto-conical shape of the tail section of the bullet tip 2602, when the bullet tip is inserted into the bore, a cavity may form between the frusto-conical shape of the tail section and the corner of the bottom surface and the sidewalls of the bore. This cavity may function as an area into which the bullet tip 2602 expands when the bullet impacts a target.

The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 2602 may be between 4 to 10. The angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 2602 may be about 90 degrees. The sharpness of the apex of the bullet tip 2602 and the angle made by the apex of the bullet tip 2602 allow the impact energy of the bullet to be concentrated on a small impact area upon impact on the target, thereby contributing to the penetration capacity of the bullet.

Following is a description of experimental results obtained from testing of the claimed subject matter. Applicant has performed the following tests on prototypes of the disclosed rounds of ammunition 100, 1500 and 2000 and provides the following results. A first test conducted on Sep. 5, 2016 involved a claimed bullet tip conjoined with a bullet main body having the following dimensions and/or ratios: 1 inch length in diameter and .308 caliber. The round of ammunition was fired from a 9 inch Bravo Co. 300 Blackout AR-15 firearm with a muzzle velocity of 1650 feet per second. The round of ammunition was fired from various distances, including 25 yds. (resulting in an impact velocity of 1603 ft./sec. and an impact energy of 713 ft.-lbs.), 50 yds. (1557 ft./sec. and 673 ft.-lbs.), 75 yds. (1520 ft./sec. 642 ft.-lbs.) and 100 yds. (1468 ft./sec. and 598 ft.-lbs.). The target was a soft target comprising ballistic gel. The round of ammunition exhibited the following results: a penetration capacity of 1025 joules and a controlled penetration distance of 18 inches all around for all distances above.

A second test conducted on Nov. 10, 2016 involved a claimed bullet tip conjoined with a bullet main body having the following dimensions and/or ratios: 1 inch length in diameter and .308 caliber. The round of ammunition was fired from a 9 inch Bravo Co. 300 Blackout AR-15 firearm with a muzzle velocity of 1650 feet per second. The round of ammunition was fired from a distance of 200 yds., resulting in an impact velocity of 1311 ft./sec. and an impact energy of 477 ft.-lbs. The target was a soft target comprising ballistic gel. The round of ammunition exhibited the following results: a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules and a controlled penetration distance of 18 inches.

Although specific embodiments have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. The scope of the claimed subject matter is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A bullet, comprising:

a bullet main body comprising a bore extending through a longitudinal axis of the bullet main body, such that upon impact with a soft target the bullet main body exhibits a mushroom effect; and

a bullet tip comprising a body comprising a tail section and a nose section, the body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal;

wherein the nose section comprises an ogive shape;

wherein the tail section is configured for insertion into the bore in the bullet main body; and

wherein the bullet tip is configured to fall away from the bullet main body upon impact with the soft target, and

wherein, upon impact, the bullet is configured to penetrate the soft target and exhibit a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in the soft target.

2. The bullet of claim 1, wherein the bullet is configured to exhibit a penetration capacity of the soft target of at least 800 joules.

3. The bullet of claim 2, wherein the partially sintered powdered metal further comprises a metal matrix composite including a first metal powder with a first melting temperature, and a second metal powder with a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature, and wherein the second metal powder partially liquefies when said metal matrix composite is partially sintered, such that said second powder acts as a binder for said first metal powder.

4. The bullet of claim 3, wherein the tail section comprises a cylindrical shape configured for insertion into the bore in the bullet main body.

5. The bullet of claim 2, wherein the powdered metal is lead-free.

6. The bullet of claim 5, wherein the powdered metal comprises copper.

7. A round of ammunition, comprising:

a bullet main body including a bore extending through a longitudinal axis of the bullet main body, wherein the bullet main body is configured to mushroom upon impact with a soft target;

a frangible bullet tip comprising a body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite, the body having: a) a tail section with a cylindrical shape inserted into, and secured to, the bore of the bullet main body and b) a nose section with an ogive shape.

8. The round of ammunition of claim 7, wherein the round is configured to exhibit a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in the soft target.

9. The round of ammunition of claim 7, powder with a first melting temperature, and a second metal powder with a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature, and

wherein the partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite includes a first metal

wherein the second metal powder partially liquefies when said partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite is partially sintered, such that said second powder acts as a binder for said first metal powder.

10. The round of ammunition of claim 9, wherein the partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite is lead-free.

11. The round of ammunition of claim 10, wherein the partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite comprises copper and tin.

12. (canceled)

13. The round of ammunition of claim 12, wherein the nose section of the bullet tip and an exterior surface of the bullet main body exhibit a continuous ogive shape.

14-19. (canceled)

20. The bullet of claim 1, wherein the bullet main body is composed of a solid metal.

21. The bullet of claim 1, comprising a cavity located between a base of the bullet tip and an interior surface of the bore of the bullet main body.

22. The bullet of claim 1, wherein the soft target comprises ballistic gel.

23. The round of claim 7, wherein the bullet main body is composed of a solid metal.

24. The round of claim 7, comprising a cavity located between a base of the bullet tip and an interior surface of the bore of the bullet main body.

25. The round of claim 7, wherein the bullet tip further comprises one or more channels located on an exterior surface of the bullet tip.

26. The round of claim 7, wherein the round exhibits a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules.

27. A bullet for a small arms weapon, comprising:

a bullet main body composed of solid metal and comprising a bore extending through a longitudinal axis of the bullet main body, such that upon impact with a soft target, the bullet main body exhibits a mushroom effect; and

a frangible bullet tip comprising a body composed of a partially sintered powdered metal matrix composite, the body comprising: a) a tail section with a cylindrical shape inserted into, and secured to, the bore of the bullet main body, the tail section comprising one or more channels located on an exterior surface, and b) a nose section comprising a pointed shape, wherein, upon impact, the bullet tip is configured to penetrate the soft target and fall away from the bullet main body;

wherein, upon impact, the bullet is configured to exhibit a penetration capacity of at least 800 joules and exhibit a controlled penetration distance of about 12-18 inches in the soft target.