Abstract: Herein we describe shotgun shells each having a degradable wad comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer, as well as methods for ensuring that such wad degrades quickly after landing in an aquatic environment. Plastic, aquatic debris has a negative economic and ecological impact, and thus it is advantageous to use implements that will degrade into environmentally benign compounds. Incorporating a degradable wad into shotgun shells provides an effective, economical solution. Suitable degradable shotgun wads and methods are described herein.

Abstract: An encapsulated propellant charge comprised a sealed combustible container comprised of a consumable material and having a substantially cylindrical shape. The sealed combustible container comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall therebetween. The top wall, the bottom wall and the side wall define a chamber; which contains a propellant composition.

Abstract: Penetrators and methods of manufacturing penetrators are disclosed. One method of manufacturing a penetrator having arrowhead geometry and base geometry includes the steps: (a) cold heading a piece of material to form a blank; (b) machining the blank to create the arrowhead geometry; and (c) roll forming the blank to create the base geometry. Another method of manufacturing a penetrator having arrowhead geometry and base geometry includes the steps: (a) machining a piece of material to create the arrowhead geometry; and (b) roll forming the piece of material to create the base geometry. Yet another method of manufacturing a penetrator from a blank includes the steps: (a) machining the blank to create a first surface feature of the penetrator; and (b) roll forming the blank to create a second surface feature of the penetrator.

Abstract: An improved cartridge case completely produced net shape on a progressive cold former that includes a trim to lengthy station with an internal shearing tool.

Abstract: Shotshell type ammunition includes a hull, a sabot disposed within the hull, and at least one projectile disposed within the sabot. The hull has a rimless first end that includes a primer for firing the ammunition. The hull also has a seat surface for seating the hull against a complementary seat surface in a firing chamber of a firearm. The seat surface is located a distance from an outer end surface of the hull at the rimless first end. The hull further includes an outer cylindrical side surface extending from the rimless first end of the hull to the seat surface of the hull. Methods of fabricating such ammunition includes forming such a hull, providing one or more projectiles within a sabot, and disposing the sabot with the one or more projectiles therein at least partially into the hull. Shotgun type firearms are configured for firing such ammunition.

Abstract: An austenitic stainless steel ammunition cartridge includes an outer region and a base, wherein the outer region is about 50%-80% of the thickness of the base, which serves to minimize the sidewall ironing required to form the cartridge. The cartridge blank can be formed by spin forming, compression forming, grinding, or a combination thereof. Tooling to form the insert can include at least a pair of blocks and inserts, at least one insert defining a centrally positioned aperture.

Abstract: An encapsulated propellant charge comprised a sealed combustible container comprised of a consumable material and having a substantially cylindrical shape. The sealed combustible container comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall therebetween. The top wall, the bottom wall and the side wall define a chamber; which contains a propellant composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assemblies and methods of producing and using these assemblies. In one embodiment, for example, a nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assembly can include a projectile, a Combustible Cartridge Cased body using nitroguanidine as the primary energetic material, and a composite case base interfacing with the CCC body.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: A muzzle loaded ammunition round having a bullet and a consumable cartridge case. The cartridge case is hollow and is filled with at least one propellant composition, the cartridge case being constructed from a consumable material, such as foamed celluloid. The bullet is commonly engaged to the propellant composition at least via the cartridge case, the propellant composition having a charge weight.

Abstract: An austenitic stainless steel ammunition cartridge includes an outer region and a base, wherein the outer region is about 50%-80% of the thickness of the base, which serves to minimize the sidewall ironing required to form the cartridge. The cartridge blank can be formed by spin forming, compression forming, grinding, or a combination thereof. Tooling to form the insert can include at least a pair of blocks and inserts, at least one insert defining a centrally positioned aperture.

Abstract: A consumable premeasured charge for use with an intended black powder firearm having barrel with a desired caliber, the consumable premeasured charge comprising a closed container defining an interior chamber and loose granular gunpowder filling a volume of the interior chamber to between 50 and approximately 100%. The closed container being sized to be loaded within a gun barrel of the intended firearm. A method of forming consumable premeasured charge is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting mechanism for a multiple-part munition (1), for example for artillery charges. It is proposed that a multiple-part munition (1) be connected by means of a simple plug connection to at least two casing elements (2) which can be connected to one another and are arranged axially one behind the other, of a propellent-charge casing (10), with the casing elements (2) having a taper (3) and/or a corresponding opening (4) on their mutually facing end faces or tail faces, and the tapers (3) and/or the inner wall (7) of the openings (4) having projections (8) so that they can be connected to one another with a force fit by pushing them together.

Abstract: This invention relates to a visible light or UV/visible light and anaerobically curable composition for encapsulating the surface of the primer mix disposed in the primer cup, particularly for use in center fire ammunition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the efficiency of a gun cartridge by determining the water weight volume of the cartridge; determining the bore diameter of the gun barrel; determining the weight of the bullet; and calculating the efficiency rating of the cartridge by multiplying the water weight volume by the bore diameter and dividing by the bullet weight. The efficiency rating is optimal between 110 and 145 when the water weight volume is determined in grains, the bore diameter is determined in thousandths of inches and the bullet weight is determined in grains. One such 50 caliber gun cartridge has a casing diameter of approximately 0.688 inches and neck portion which accepts a bullet having a bore diameter of approximately 0.510 inches. The case has a length ranging from 1.75 inches to 2.5 inches measured from the primer to the mouth of the neck.

Abstract: A method of producing a device containing pyrotechnical material comprises the following steps: providing a tubular housing element with a base and metal ducts incorporated in the base, with the housing element and the base being integrally formed of glass and the housing element and the base defining a housing interior with a bottom adjoining the base, and the metal ducts extending through the bottom into the housing interior; applying a metal layer on the bottom by forming a heat-generating element integrally connected with the metal ducts and the bottom; introducing the pyrotechnical material into the housing element; and sealing the housing element by heating and melting off. The device obtainable in this way serves for use in vehicle occupant restraint systems, for instance as an igniter in gas generators and belt tensioners.

Abstract: A method for assembling a blast initiation device is provided. The method comprises providing a length of signal transmission line having first and second ends, mounting a tag to the line and mounting a first detonator to the first end of the line wherein all of the steps are each performed at a single operator station by a single operator. Also provided is an apparatus for utilizing the method. The apparatus comprises a tagger device for mounting a tag to a length of signal transmission line having first and second ends. A crimp device is adjacent the tagger device for mounting a first detonator to the first end of the line. A blocker device is adjacent the detonator crimp device for locking a connecting block to the first detonator. The tagger, crimp and blocker devices are spatially arranged adjacent an access position for ease of operation by a single operator. Further provided is a kaizen cell comprising a plurality of workstations.

Abstract: A process of producing a propellant charge igniter for cartridge ammunition of the type including an ignition tube with a booster charge, wherein the ignition tube is composed of a sheathing tube (4) with ignition openings (3) and a thin-walled protective tube (6) which is arranged inside the sheathing tube (4) in order to protect the booster charge, and wherein the external wall of the protective tube fits against the internal wall of the sheathing tube (4) and covers the ignition openings (3). To avoid microscopic gaps between the sheathing tube and the protective tube, which gaps influence the performance of the propellant charge igniter, a paste-like sealing agent (5) is introduced into the sheathing tube (4) before the protective tube (6) is inserted into the sheathing tube (4), and only then is the protective tube (6) inserted into the sheathing tube (4) to displace the sealing agent.

Abstract: A vaporizable solute transfer system for transferring a vaporizable solute from a gas feed mixture to an absorbent liquid comprises an absorption module, a porous membrane which divides the absorption module into a gas-feed chamber and an absorbent chamber, a regeneration module, and a nonporous material which divides the regeneration module into an absorbent chamber and a vacuum atmosphere chamber. The absorption module has gas feed mixture inlet and outlet ports which communicate with the gas feed chamber, and absorbent liquid inlet and outlet ports which communicate with the absorbent chamber. The regeneration module has a liquid absorbent inlet and outlet port which communicate with the liquid absorbent chamber, and a vacuum outlet port which communicates with the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A shaver for cartridge casenecks indexes on the shoulder of the case and permits a rotating cutter assembly to shave the neck of cartridge cases while a pilot end from the same shaft rotating the cutter assembly supports the caseneck.

Abstract: A container manufacturing process includes forming a tubular case of combustible material; forming two covers of combustible material, each cover including a base integral with a cylindrical edge having an external diameter equal to the internal diameter of the case. Each cover has at least one edge of sufficient length to permit the positioning of the cover with part of the edge located outside of the case to be able to receive a tubular extension integral with another container or another interconnecting ring. Positioning of the covers with respect to the case is achieved using structure allowing selective positioning of at least one cover in at least two different axial positions that include selected positions in which the base is outside of the case, the base is inside the case or the base is at the ends of the case. The covers and the case are connected using attachment structure such as glue.

Abstract: The invention is a novel method for forming paper-wrapped cartridges of gassed emulsion explosive comprising the steps of (a) forming a water-in-oil emulsion at an elevated temperature, (b) chemically gassing the emulsion to form a sensitizing, uniform distribution of gas bubbles throughout the emulsion, (c) shaping the chemically gassed emulsion into a continuous rod of emulsion, (d) continuously wrapping the rod of emulsion with a paper packaging material that is shaped circumferentially around the rod and sealed longitudinally with an adhesive that can withstand the elevated temperature of the emulsion and is water-resistant, (e) cutting the paper-wrapped emulsion rod into individual cartridges, and (f) cooling the cartridges by contacting them with a liquid, preferably water, at a temperature below the elevated temperature of the emulsion.

Abstract: A plastic cased metal headed ammunition casing for high powered rifle and cannon cartridges is described in which the plastic case has a pressure regulating baffle or wall in the forward and thereof to regulate and control the development of chamber pressure and directs pressure into a space around the bore of the projectile prior to movement of the projectile. The cartridge is charged with a given charge of powder and the cap or head securely fastened to the rearward portion of the plastic casing. An expandable sleeve may be used to stabilize the head-casing interfit. The head provides sufficient resistance to the residual pressure after firing so that the cartridge can be used in rapid fire automatic weapons.

Abstract: A plastic cased metal headed ammunition casing for high powered rifle cartridges is described in which the plastic case has a pressure regulating baffle or wall in the forward end thereof to regulate and control the development of chamber pressure movement of the bullet into the rifle barrel. The cartridge is charged with a given charge of powder and the cap or head securely fastened to the rearward portion of the plastic casing. The head provides sufficient resistance to the residual pressure after firing so that the cartridge can be used in rapid fire automatic weapons.

Abstract: Ring pellets for gas generators exhibit optimum reaction rates by having configurations which optimize such rates. The pellet has a central ignition duct; from the latter, outlet channels extend radially toward a rim of the pellet. Specific embodiments contain, on the topside and underside of the pellets, either conical recesses or annular channels or both. The pellets preferably exhibit a proportion of surface area/unit weight of from 4 to 7 cm.sup.2 /g, which can be set by variation of the channels and, respectively, of the recesses to obtain a desired value. The higher this value, the greater the reaction rate. The ring pellets are especially well suited for airbag generators which must display differently high reaction rates on the driver's side and on the front-seat passenger's side, and which are to exhibit at the same time a high breaking and abrasion stability.

Abstract: A loading strip (1) for supplying individual explosive powder charges in a setting tool is formed of an elongated belt-shaped member (2). The member has openings (2a) therethrough with a hollow receptacle (3) projecting outwardly at each opening from one surface of the member (2). The interior of the hollow receptacle (3) in combination with the corresponding opening (2a) form a space for holding an explosive powder charge. Annular gap (2b) encircles each opening (2a) and extends inwardly from the opposite side of the member from the receptacles. A bulge-like projection extends into the space formed by the receptacle and the member. The projection has a hollow recess (2c) located eccentrically relative to the opening and the hollow space and faces the opposite side of the member (2). An ignition medium (6) is placed in the hollow recess (2c). A base plate (7) forms a closure for the explosive powder charge space and the ignition medium hollow recess.

Abstract: A filler for disintegrating projectiles for training ammunition composed essentially of a screened low carbon, unalloyed steel powder produced by atomizing a corresponding steel melt to form a steel powder, subsequently subjecting the powder to a reducing soft annealing treatment at a temperature of between about 900.degree. and 1050.degree. C., subjecting the annealed product to a comminuting (e.g., beating, impact and scrubbing) process followed by screening, wherein the comminuting process lasts longer than 60 minutes and the screened powder has a grain size below 0.315 mm, an uncompressed or apparent density of between 3.9 and about 4.6 g.multidot.cm.sup.-3, and is compressible in such a manner that the resulting density of a pressed body to be incorporated into the disintegrating projectile lies between about 6.5 and 7.15 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A method and device (A) for cutting a shotgun shell (14) for shooting in a shotgun chambered for shorter shotgun shells includes a base (10) and shell receiving tube (12). A shell (14) is held in tube (12) above a knife (32) in such a manner that a circumferential slit is formed in shell casing (20) around the inside edge (24) of crimp (22). The knife is carried on a movable knife blade holder (40) which moves toward base (10) to engage the knife in the crimped edge as the shell is rotated. Upon shooting of shell (14), the crimp material separates from casing (20) leaving the shell of a shorter length. In this manner a two and one half inch (21/2") shell is obtained from a two and three-quarter inch (23/4") and three inch (3") shells which may be reloaded or disposed of.

Abstract: A trimmer for cartridge cases indexes on the shoulder of the case as established by the resizing die and permits a rotating cutter assembly to trim the neck of cases from the inside at a controllable angle. The cutter assembly includes a cutter with a cutting edge for length, a cutting edge for inside chamfer, and an outside deburring edge. There are two alternate embodiments of the invention, one allows for the device to be assembled from several pieces while the other has as many portions as possible cast or machined into a single item.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of priming a blank or bulleted rimfire cartridge comprising the steps of (a) dosing into the rimfire case a quantity of a substantially dry, powdery, relatively insensitive premix comprising, in predetermined proportions, at least two materials that will, in the presence of a liquid reaction medium, react together forming a primary explosive compound, (b) compacting the premix so as substantially to fill the rim of the case therewith, (c) dosing a quantity of the liquid reaction medium into the case so as to cause said materials to react together forming the primary explosive compound and (d) drying the primer. By compacting the premix into the rim before the addition of the liquid reaction medium, the conventional spinning step may be dispensed with, thereby making the priming process safer and more economic.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for covering flash holes in a primer battery cup where the anvil is formed integrally with the battery cup. A tooling apparatus including a tubular foiling pin, and a cutting die plate which, in cooperation with the outside rim of the primer battery cup, blanks out an imperforate, covering-medium disk. As the tubular foiling pin continues to descend into the battery cup, the paper is pierced and slit by the anvil point of the battery cup. The blanked and now perforated disk is inserted further into the battery cup by the foiling pin and seated over the flash holes at the bottom of the cup around the anvil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for covering the flash holes in a primer battery cup, particularly where the anvil is formed integrally with the battery cup. Tooling apparatus is provided which includes a spring-loaded punch positioned and slideable axially within an outer punch. A covering medium such as paper is delivered to the tooling station as a strip where it is pierced and slit by the spring-loaded inner punch and blanked by the outer punch. The blanked portion is inserted into the battery cup and seated over the flash holes at the bottom of the cup around the anvil.

Abstract: An iron powder is compressed into a disintegrating bullet used for practice ammunition. The powder having a predetermined particle dimension is obtained by atomizing a molten mass of steel with pressurized water. The powder is annealed subsequently, then crushed, scrubbed and sieved to obtain particles at a size preferably between 0.4 to 1 mm.