Abstract: An ammunition press for manufacturing or reloading ammunition cartridges. The ammunition press includes a slide bearing about which the ram of the ammunition press moves to provide smooth operation of the ammunition press. A configurable spent primer system is provided to enable a user to select how they want to collect spent primers or other debris from the ammunition press. According to a user's preference, the ammunition press can also be customized to provide a cam-over or non-cam-over sensation as the user operates the ammunition press. A light is integrated with the ammunition press for illuminating a shell holder that holds the ammunition shells (sometimes called cases). Components of the ammunition press and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to reloading kits containing a packaged high-density metal-filled polymer composition that is moldable and used in producing lead-free or “green” bullets for individual firearms. Such kits and compositions may be used by individuals in their reloading process.

Abstract: A system for reloading a cartridge including seating a primer in the cartridge for use in a predetermined firing chamber includes at least one reloading die and reloading shim adapted to selectively insert into the chamber. A desired seating depth is determined and an offset factor is determined using a primer pocket depth, a primer height, and the seating depth. This calculated dimension is transferred to a primer-seating press. The primer-seating press includes an arm hingeably configured to operate in a first position, a second position, and a third position; a cross pin configures on the press horizontally and selectively slides from a retracted position to an extended position and an adjustable stop disposed on the arm. The stop is pre-set to using the calculated dimension to limit travel of the arm by cooperating with the cross pin. The seating press includes a vertically arranged piston operated by the arm.

Abstract: An ammunition article is provided which comprises a casing and a cap wherein the casing is formed from a polymeric material that has a room temperature notched Izod impact value greater than about 10 ft lbs/in and then has a ratio of notched Izod impact value at room temperature to notch Izod impact value at about ?40° C. of less than about 4.

Abstract: An ammunition primer installation device is attachable to an ammunition reloading press and uses a sliding and rotating finger trigger attached to a primer transporting slide to receive a primer from a supply trough and transport the primer to position above a primer cup on an ammunition reloading press and a trigger actuated plunger to push the primer from the device into the primer cup while maintaining the proper primer orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boundary light cartridge and a method for producing the same having a cartridge case (2) with a fitted projectile, a propelling charge powder arranged inside the cartridge case (2), and an ignition assembly for the propelling charge power, whereby the cartridge case (2) has a circumferential radial indentation (10) on the base (3) thereof in which the ignition assembly is arranged. In ignition assemblies which lack harmful substances, the invention provides that the base (3) of the cartridge case is pressed inward at least in partial areas in order to guarantee a complete and uniform reaction during short ignition times of an ignition assembly. As a result, the opening (13) of the indentation (10) is reduced in size toward the interior of the cartridge case (2).

Abstract: A hand-held tool for loading a primer into a primer socket of an ammunition cartridge case includes an elongate body with a holder for holding a cartridge case with its primer socket in a target position in a priming station. An elongate track on the tool longitudinally guides a rectilinear primer holding strip through the priming station. A reciprocating advancing member moves in advancing and retracting directions, and in its advancing direction engages the primer strip to sequentially align successive primers in the strip with the target position. A detent holds the primer strip against retraction when the advancing member moves in its retracting direction. A plunger is mounted for shifting longitudinally of the body into and away from the priming station to push a primer out of the primer strip into the primer socket of the cartridge. An elongate operator handle is connected to the body for movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A fired rifle cartridge is resized in the cartridge neck area for reuse. A first die set is employed to compress the cartridge neck such that the inner surface of the neck fits a standard size bullet. A second die set is used to expand selected areas of the cartridge neck to snugly fit the firing chamber. The resultant ammunition round can be fired with a greater degree of accuracy than ammunition resized by prior art procedures, because the longitudinal axis of the cartridge neck coincides with the bore axis of the firearm.

Abstract: A shaver for cartridge case necks indexes on the shoulder of the case and permits a rotating cutter assembly to shave the neck of cartridge cases at optimum cutting angles by round cutters while a pilot end from the same shaft rotating the cutter assembly supports the case neck.

Abstract: A device for loading a primer from a priming station into a primer socket of an ammunition cartridge case, includes an elongated track for longitudinally guiding a rectilinear primer strip through the priming station. The primer strip includes a series of longitudinally aligned receptacles, each of which holds a primer in an interference fit that prevents dislodgement of the primer from the strip. Each primer strip also has a plurality of laterally extending castellations or teeth that slide on a ledge over the track, and a reciprocating advancing member on the track has arms that interdigitate with the teeth to move the primer strip forward through the priming station as the advancing member moves in an advancing direction. A detent interdigitates with the teeth to hold the primer strip with a target receptacle in a target position adjacent the primer socket of the cartridge case, while a reciprocating punch pin transfers the primer from the target receptacle to the primer socket.

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: The present invention is an assembly/positioning system and method of use for application in the insertion or placement of tolerance dimensioned first process elements in tolerance dimensioned holes in or with respect to surfaces of second process elements. The system safely, precisely, repeatably and consistently compensates for tolerances in dimensions of process elements assembled therein, and for internal assembly/positioning system element tolerances which result from system stresses or temperature effects etc. during use. The assembly/positioning system also allows positioning process elements for processing and can include process element processing means internally. The assembly/positioning system utilizes mechanical or hydraulic toggle, insertion and tolerance compensation means in conjunction with mechanical transfer means to allow use with any combination of relatively large toleranced process elements.

Abstract: A shell plate for being indexed in angular steps is on a carrier which is, in turn, mounted to the upper end of the reloader ram. Indexer rod engageable elements such as cylindrical equiangularly spaced apart pins project downwardly from the bottom of the shell plate. An indexer rod is carried in the shell plate carrier. When the ram is driven to nearly its lowermost position, the manual operating lever is near the end of its swing at which time it abuts the indexer rod for the latter to engage one of the pins to rotate the shell plate. The indexer rod is retracted and reset by having it slide down a guide track from the uppermost position of the ram and the guide track is angulated in part to be engaged by the rod and retracted. The reloader is distinguished by indexing the shell plate only when the ram is within a few millimeters of its lowermost limit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for priming ammunition casings (1) of the type having a bottom (2) connected to a cylindrical lateral wall (3) by an annular flange (4) defining within the casing an annular throat (5) adapted to receive a pyrotechnic priming composition (6). The composition (6) is deposited on the bottom of the casing, and then is introduced into the throat (5) by subjecting the composition (6) deposited on the bottom (2) of the casing to a progressive compression in an oblique direction relative to the axis (X-X') of the casing (1) and directed toward the throat (5), by means of a surface (8) which is caused to turn about the axis (X-X'). This is done with a rotating core (7) that has at its lower end a truncated conical surface that is eccentric to the axis (X-X') of the core (7).

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for installing primers in ammunition shells, comprising a primer holder having walls defining a pocket opening to an upper surface of the holder for receiving a primer. The pocket has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a primer so that there is an interference fit between the pocket and the primer sufficient to prevent the primer from being inadvertently dislodged from the holder during shipment, handling or use of the holder. The holder has a hole extending from a bottom of the pocket to a bottom surface of the holder for receiving a pin which pushes the primer out of the pocket and directly into a shell in response to relative movement between the holder and the pin. The holder preferably is disk shaped and has a plurality of pockets. The invention further comprises a shell reloading machine which utilizes the new primer feed system.

Abstract: A powder dosing apparatus, especially for use in the priming of ammunition, comprises a tray containing a uniformly thick layer of powder and a dosing assembly arranged to extract a plurality of doses of powder from the tray. After extraction of the doses the assembly is moved to an adjacent station where it ejects the doses into respective receptacles, such as capshells. During ejection, the powder in the tray is replenished from a chute and the layer is raked and levelled by an assembly comprising a rake and doctor blades in readiness for a subsequent dose extraction step.

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: 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: 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: A reloading device for metallic firearm cartridges, the reloading device incorporating improved means for depriming and resizing a previously fired cartridge, thereafter repriming the cartridge and subsequently seating a bullet in the cartridge to a desired controlled depth and, if desired, crimping the cartridge case, said reloading device comprising in combination a hinged, latched, base and cover portion, defining a longitudinally extending passageway, removably containing at each end, respectively, a cartridge holder means and a resizing and depriming means.

Abstract: A press type ammunition loader in which the casings are sequentially advanced through a series of work stations by means of a shuttle bar which is reciprocated along the line of the work stations and also moved laterally into and out of engagement with the casing series. A simplified shuttle bar operating arrangement is disclosed including a cam actuated hitch-index shuttle cooperating with other shuttle bar operating components operated by reciprocal movement of lower and upper platen plates which also operate the respective loader components at each work station. The shuttle bar advance and return movement is executed while engaged with C-form springs, maintaining an inward bias force. The upper and lower platens are reciprocated by rotation of a crank-link assembly, which also operates a primer feed slide mechanism, by means of a cable and pulley drive moving a primer slide bar between primer pick up and seating positions.