Abstract: Shot projectiles are disclosed that are not completely spherical. The shot has an equatorial ring, top and bottom poles, and one or more sections extending between the ring and the respective poles. The ring defines a vertical height relative to an overall diameter of the projectile. The one or more sections provide flat, concave, or convex surfaces.

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: This disclosure relates to cartridges, including shotshell cartridges, for launching multiplex projectile loads that contain different sizes or types of projectiles, and methods of loading the cartridges. In one aspect, for example, the present cartridges can contain an obturating component adjacent the cartridge propellant, a first payload adjacent the obturating component, a separating component adjacent the first payload, and a second payload adjacent the separating component. Shotshells of this configuration in which the first (aft) payload comprises birdshot and the second (forward) payload comprises buckshot are particularly useful.

Abstract: A cartridge ammunition load and/or method. Such a load may comprise a shot casing, a combustible propellant charge, a wad, and a plurality of shot. The shot may include shot of a first size and a second size, wherein the second size is within 80-95% of the first size. The first-size shot may be arranged in a stack of one or more planar rings, and may have the second-size shot disposed in a central interstice of one or more of the rings. Embodiments may include any number of layers of shot of the first and second size, and the second-size shot need not be present between every pair of adjacent layers of first-size shot.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to cartridges, including shotshell cartridges, for launching multiplex projectile loads that contain different sizes or types of projectiles, and methods of loading the cartridges. In one aspect, for example, the present cartridges can contain an obturating component adjacent the cartridge propellant, a first payload adjacent the obturating component, a separating component adjacent the first payload, and a second payload adjacent the separating component. Shotshells of this configuration in which the first (aft) payload comprises birdshot and the second (forward) payload comprises buckshot are particularly useful.

Abstract: Some embodiments may include an improved cartridge ammunition load and/or related method. Such a load may comprise a shot casing, a combustible propellant charge, a wad, and a plurality of shot. The shot may include shot of a first size and a second size, wherein the second size is within 80-95% of the first size. The first-size shot may be arranged in a stack of one or more planar rings, and may have the second-size shot disposed in a central interstice of one or more of the rings. Embodiments may include any number of layers of shot of the first and second size, and the second-size shot need not be present between every pair of adjacent layers of first-size shot.

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: 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: In at least one embodiment, a shotshell comprises a casing defining an internal chamber, a plurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber and a plurality of second shot pellets within the internal chamber. The first shot pellets comprise a first shape and the second shot pellets comprise a second shape that is different from the first shape.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a shotshell comprises a casing defining an internal chamber, a plurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber and a plurality of second shot pellets within the internal chamber. The first shot pellets comprise a first shape and the second shot pellets comprise a second shape that is different from the first shape.

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 shotshell of the type including a slug projectile includes a wad modified to include a central depression against which a light-weight ball is centered between the wad and the slug. The slug may include a similar depression such that the momentary connection between the wad, ball and slug may increase accuracy of the ammunition.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a shotshell comprises a casing defining an internal chamber, a plurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber and a plurality of second shot pellets within the internal chamber. The first shot pellets comprise a first shape and the second shot pellets comprise a second shape that is different from the first shape.

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: Disclosed is an improved design for individual flechettes, a multiplicity of which are arrayed in an ammunition cartridge for a gun. The flechettes have elongate solid bodies centered about a longitudinal axis, the bodies tapering from a waist to both forward end and rearward end. The waists of the flechettes are closer to the forward end than to the rearward end so that the flechettes' centers of gravity are closer to the forward ends than the rearward ends. The flechettes may have regular polygonal cross sections or essentially regular polygonal cross sections wherein the flechettes define fins along their bodies. Packing arrangements of the flechettes within ammunition cartridges are also shown.

Abstract: An active protection system (10) is disclosed as having a launch tube (12) with a round inner bore (44) that tapers from an open muzzle end (42) thereof toward a closed rear end (40) to facilitate loading of a cartridge (26) and to permit ejection thereof after firing. The cartridge (26) utilized has a metal case (28) that provides a liner for the launch tube and includes a sabot (116) for lauching at least one projectile (120, 122) upon ignition of a propellant (114) by an ignitor (126). Transverse force is generated by utilizing a plurality of projectiles (120, 122) preferably embodied by an outer ring of cubical projectiles (120) and spherical projectiles (122) received within the outer ring so as to provide projectile dispersion that increased the probability of an impact with the intended target.

Abstract: A projectile for shooting from the muzzle of a shotgun formed with a nose cone connected to a launching tube by an interconnecting body. The nose cone has a weighted portion for providing aerodynamic characteristics thereto and a frangible portion. Upon impact against a target, the frangible portion breaks allowing the nose cone walls to deform in a mushroom-like manner, spreading the load over a larger area, thereby diminishing the amount of damage to a target to that of a nose cone which did not spread and mushroom from the breaking of frangible material therein.

Abstract: Shot shell having a stratified payload of at least two different shot sizes, the larger diameter shot being closer to the mouth of the shell than the smaller diameter shot.