Abstract: A loading machine for feeding a receiver includes, but is not limited to, a drum cam that is configured to rotate. The drum cam includes, but is not limited to, a first cam path, and a second cam path. A rammer subassembly is positioned proximate the drum cam. The rammer subassembly includes, but is not limited to, a first member that is configured to engage the first cam path and to move longitudinally with respect to the drum cam upon a rotation of the drum cam, and a second member that is configured to telescopically engage the first member and further configured to engage the second cam path and telescopically move with respect to the first member upon the rotation of the drum cam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for loading a barrel of a muzzle loading firearm to provide powder and a projectile at a breach end of the barrel. The apparatus comprises: (i) a handle having a central longitudinal axis and adapted to be gripped by one hand, the handle having an opening between opposed ends along the axis; (ii) a moveable casing having a head and mounted in the opening adjacent one end of the handle and adapted to receive a ramrod of the muzzle loading rifle into the casing; (iii) a retaining means for retaining the casing within the opening, the retaining means mounted on the handle with at least a portion of the retaining means mounted inside the opening; and (iv) a coil spring mounted in the opening inside the handle between the portion of the retaining means mounted in the opening and the head of the casing.

Abstract: A press punch for pressing a powder includes a generally cylindrical metallic body and a polyurethane layer disposed around the metallic body. The metallic body has a nominal outside diameter and a generally flat bottom face. The polyurethane layer is disposed around the metallic body such that a bottom of the polyurethane layer is flush with the generally flat bottom face of the metallic body and an outside diameter of the polyurethane layer is substantially the same as the nominal outside diameter of the metallic body. In another embodiment, the outside diameter of the polyurethane layer is greater than the nominal outside diameter of the metallic body.

Abstract: A method for forming a projectile cartridge includes positioning a sabot within a compartment of a projectile cartridge casing. A delivery tube is inserted within a chamber of the sabot positioned within the casing, the delivery tube bounding a channel that passes therethrough. A projectile comprised of an elastomeric material is passed through the channel of the delivery tube under a pressurized gas so that at least a portion the projectile is received within the chamber of the sabot, the projectile being radially compressed as it is passed through the channel of the delivery tube.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dual load charge in a single consolidation pressing operation. A first type explosive is placed in a cavity to form a booster charge. A pocket is formed in the booster charge. A second type explosive is disposed in the pocket of the booster charge to form an initiating charge therein. Finally, the booster charge and the initiating charge are preferably simultaneously consolidated to form a dual load charge with intimate contact between the booster charge and the initiating charge. Also disclosed is a press useful for implementing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A manual die set includes a ram, the ram having an upper portion and a lower portion; a ram head removably connected to the upper portion of the ram; a die, the die defining an opening therethrough for reciprocably receiving the ram, the die including a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion including an upward facing step; a support ring disposed in the die opening in the bottom portion of the die, the support ring defining a bore therethrough; a baseplate disposed in a bottom of the die opening and extending into a bottom of the support ring bore; a die guide plate for supporting the die and the baseplate; and a spring disposed in the die opening, the lower portion of the ram being inserted through a center of the spring, a lower end of the spring bearing against the upward facing step in the bottom portion of the die, an upper end of the spring bearing against a bottom face of the upper portion of the ram; wherein the spring is compressed when a pressing force moves the ram downwardly such th

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for sensing the powder level within a cartridge shell during the reloading process comprising a housing having a ramp in its interior, a sleeve slidably inserted within the housing having a radial hole initially positioned below the ramp in which resides a ball, and a plunger inserted within the sleeve having a groove for receipt of the ball. A probe is mounted on the lower end of the plunger which contacts the powder deposited in the cartridge shell, wherein the probe lifts the plunger so that the groove in the plunger may receive the ball upon the presence of a proper amount of powder so the sleeve can slide upward into the housing allowing the cartridge to enter the housing. Preferably, the powder level sensing device is adapted to be mounted onto existing reloading press frames, particularly the progressive reloading press frame. Also disclosed is a method for adjusting the powder level sensing device to accommodate various cartridge shells and desired powder levels.

Abstract: A priming method for rimfire cartridges is disclosed in which a propellant solution is disposed adjacent a centrifugally located primer material in a rimfire cartridge. The solvent is then evaporated to leave a propellant film near the primer material in order to provide slower, more uniform ignition to thereby allow use of propellant powders which would otherwise be too fast or too sensitive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for production of cartridged propellant charges for barrel weapons with charge weights up to 1.4 kg/liter.According to the invention, more granular or particle-shaped propellant powder is driven down or compacted than can be housed in free-running condition within the same volume by means of a piston or plunger (6) in a single stage down into a case (4) the inside of which is coated with a friction-reducing coating. The piston or plunger (6) can then be provided with an elastically deformable leading part (7) of e.g. rubber and/or with a conically tipped leading end (7a). According to one variant of the invention the powder is pressed down into a bag (12, 13) of combustible fibre material which has been inserted in advance down into the case (4) coated internally with a friction-reducing coating or which has itself been impregnated with a friction-reducing coating.

Abstract: A process for the introduction of a charge into a projectile casing, in which the charge is initially rough-pressed or compacted externally of the projectile casing, thereafter inserted into the projectile casing, and subsequently finish-compacted. Subsequent to the rough-pressing of the charge, the charge is brought down to a temperature which is lower than that of the projectile casing, and wherein the charge is introduced into the projectile casing prior to equilibrating the temperature difference.

Abstract: In order to increase the efficiency and reliablility of shotgun shell reloader apparatus of the type in which an empty shell is entered and removed at a single entrance/exit station and the shell is transferred in a circular path from station to station at which the several reloading operations are performed sequentially, an accessory ejection spring is employed to automatically eject a completed shell as it enters the entrance/exit station (thus eliminating the necessity for manually handling a completed shell at the entrance/exit station) and a spring pad including a magnetic member is employed at the priming station to positively receive and emplace a new primer just prior to the repriming operation (thus eliminating instances of incorrect orientation of the new primer with respect to the deprimed shell into which it is to be seated during the priming operation).