Abstract: An ammunition cartridge case reloading die has a die body defined by an interior bore and a bore opening, and a retention cap attachable to the die body. A cartridge case tool is fixed to the retention cap in axial alignment with the interior bore, and a tip of the cartridge case tool is at a proscribed distance relative to the bore opening. A centering shuttle is in sliding engagement in the interior bore of the die body, and defines a shuttle bore through which the cartridge case tool passes, and a reverse taper opening receptive to the cartridge case. The die may has a biasing element disposed within the interior bore between the centering shuttle and the retention cap, with movement of the centering shuttle within interior bore of the die body being dampened by the biasing element.

Abstract: A bullet seating die for assembling shoulder breeching rifle cartridges that aligns the bullet co-axial with the case shoulder. Bullet seating depth is set relative to the datum line of the case shoulder and is adjustable. Shoulder breeching rifle cartridges use the shoulder, exclusively, to position the cartridge in the chamber. Therefore, cartridges assembled with this die will position the bullet concentric with the bore of the barrel and at a set distance from the bore with greater precision and consistency than cartridges produced by die of previous designs.

Abstract: A neck sizing die for shoulder breeching ammunition cartridge cases that uses the shoulder to align the case, not the body. Alignment occurs before resizing. Resizing is done in a two-step process: a bushing is used to shrink the neck diameter and then an expansion button is used to increase it. Bushing and button diameters are highly selectable and easily changed. Cone-and-cup interfaces ensure concentricity of the case shoulder to the bushing or button. The unique alignment technique and two-step sizing method produces a case with a neck having an interior diameter of the user's choice with the interior wall of the neck aligned to the shoulder. This results in a case that will more reliably position the bullet concentric with the bore of the barrel than existing tools and methods.

Abstract: A fully automated modular primer processing unit is provided that is controllable, tailorable and increases the safety of operators over current methods. The modular primer process unit is comprised of a plurality of stations. Exemplary stations include: 1) primer cup insertion station, 2) an energetic filling station, 3) a drying station, 4) a consolidation unit, and 5) an anvil insertion station. Additional stations such as a tray feed station, a primer sealing station and a tray stacking station may also be configured with the modular primer processing unit.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device has an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body receives bullets from a source and directs the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The bullet feeding device may accept bullets of different lengths and shapes. The collet is interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different sizes.

Abstract: An automatic crimping tool may be used to seat and crimp a projectile in a cartridge case. The tool may include a center sleeve having a blind bore at one end, an outer surface, a spring stop disposed on the outer surface, and at least one opening extending through a wall of the blind bore. The tool may include an outer sleeve having a through bore. The center sleeve may be reciprocably disposed in the through bore of the outer sleeve. The through bore may include a counter bore at one end and an enlarged portion located distal from the counter bore. A spring may be disposed between a flat portion of the counter bore and the spring stop. A retainer may bear against the spring stop to limit axial motion of the center sleeve. An inner sleeve may be disposed in the blind bore. The inner sleeve may be selectively translatable with the center sleeve. A second spring may be disposed between a closed end of the blind bore and the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device has an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body receives bullets from a source and directs the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The bullet feeding device may accept bullets of different lengths and shapes. The collet is interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different sizes.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device having an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body is capable of receiving bullets from a source and directing the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet contracts above the tip of the bullet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The expandable collet is capable of accepting bullets of different lengths and shapes. In addition, the expandable collet is easily interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different diameters.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device having an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body is capable of receiving bullets from a source and directing the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet contracts above the tip of the bullet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The expandable collet is capable of accepting bullets of different lengths and shapes. In addition, the expandable collet is easily interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different diameters.

Abstract: A combination bullet seating and factory crimp die includes a collet closing die, a crimping collet, a die cap, a seating lock, a bullet depth adjustment screw and a trigger. The crimping collet is inserted into the collet closing die. The trigger is placed in the collet closing die. The bullet depth adjustment screw is threaded into the seating lock. The seating lock is inserted into the die cap. The seating lock includes a sear groove for receiving a C-ring sear. The collet closing die is threaded into the die cap. A bullet seater is retained in the seating lock. In use, a bullet on a mouth of a cartridge case is pushed into the crimping collet. The bullet seater seats the bullet. The trigger pushes the C-ring sear into the sear groove, which allows the mouth of the cartridge to be crimped without moving the bullet.

Abstract: Bullet feeder apparatus includes a fixture bounding a bullet-conducting passage therethrough, and a gate mounted to the fixture for movement between a closed position closing the bullet-conducting passage preventing a bullet from passing therethrough, and an open position opening the bullet-conducting passage allowing the bullet to pass therethrough into an open end of a shell. A bias applied to the gate biases the gate into the closed position. A deflector is mounted proximate the fixture for movement between a first position whereby the deflector is disposed away from the gate and the bias applied to the gate biases the gate in the closed position thereof closing the bullet-conducting passage, and a second position whereby the deflector is disposed toward and against the gate overcoming the bias applied thereto deflecting the gate from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof opening the bullet-conducting passage.

Abstract: A plurality of embodiments of disruptor all have a container with an enclosure for explosive material with a wall which can he located in any one of a number of different positions using one or more tubular spacers (12) optionally of various sizes thereby to provide a wide range of capacity of enclosure and hence explosive material.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an ammunition article, including: (a) providing a cartridge including a projectile disposed in a casing and presenting a joint between the projectile and the casing; (b) applying to the joint a sealingly effective amount of a light-curable sealant composition; and (c) exposing the applied sealant composition to curingly effective light. The resulting ammunition article is sealed at the projectile/casing joint against moisture incursion, and such article is amenable to high-speed, high-volume production by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A seating die for use in a reloading press containing a stationary head and a movable ram. The die is secured in the head of the press and the ram moves a cartridge containing a shell casing and an unseated bullet upwardly into the die. The die further includes an elongated housing having a passage passing axially therethrough. The lower part of the passage forms a guideway that opens into an expanded upper opening to form a shoulder therebetween. A guide having a body that is slidably mounted in the guideway and has a shank mounted at its proximal end that passes upwardly into the upper opening of the passage. A collar is mounted upon the shank that contains a radial flange that seats against the housing shoulder when the guide is in a home position. The distal end of the body section contains a bottom opening chamber for receiving the bullet as the ram moves upwardly whereupon the guide is moved upwardly into contact with an adjustable stop.

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 reloading apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support for supporting a casing and a casing feed station for placing the casing on the support. The apparatus also includes a primer removal station for resizing the casing and removing a spent primer from the casing. The apparatus further includes an expanding station for enlarging a diameter of a mouth of the casing. The apparatus still further includes a primer insertion station for inserting a charged primer into the casing. The apparatus also includes a gunpowder dispensing station for dispensing a quantity of gunpowder into the casing. The apparatus further includes a bullet setting station for setting a bullet into the casing so as to form a cartridge. The bullet setting station includes a bullet aligner for positioning a bullet adjacent the mouth of the casing, and a plunger. The plunger is movable between a first plunger position and a second plunger position.

Abstract: A notching device for fastening a projectile to a cartridge case. The cartridge case may include a shell mouth and a longitudinal axis and the projectile may include an adapter base for insertion into the shell mouth. The adapter base may include at least one circumferential notch inserted into the shell mouth. The notching device may include an elastic ring for exerting a radial compression force on the shell mouth adjacent the at least one circumferential notch to press a portion of the shell mouth into the at least one circumferential notch, and a device for laterally compressing the elastic ring. The lateral compressing device actuating the elastic ring to exert the radial compression force on the shell mouth. The radial compression force may be substantially equal around a circumference of the cartridge case to provide a fluid tight seal.

Abstract: A system modified so that an axial ram rod, centering jag and configuring die can be used to simultaneously tamp or size a projectile while forming the projectile into a hollow-nose type which mushrooms when configuring a spherical or double-ogival projectile into the mushrooming-type; and a kit comprising a case and sealing lid enabling a user in the field to optionally select a centering jag conforming to the caliber of the weapon being loaded, and for optionally forming a hollow-nose projectile with a "punch" characteristic in accordance with the nature of the target.

Abstract: A drive member for the projectile head of a large caliber, multi-purpose cartridge or a multi-purpose training cartridge, wherein a threaded connection is provided for the form-locking connection between the drive member and the projectile head. In order to give such multi-purpose cartridges or corresponding multi-purpose training cartridges a modular configuration, with their assembly taking place only at their location of use, the drive member is provided with radial bores that start at its outer edge or periphery at its end facing the projectile head. Before joining the projectile head and the drive member, a holding and clamping device is then introduced into these bores so as to securely hold the drive member when the respective projectile head is screwed to the drive member.

Abstract: A tool for use in conjunction with a firearm to facilitate the performance of various functions with regard to the firearm. The tool includes a cartridge case simulator which is mounted at a distal end of a tubular rod. The end of the simulator opposite an end at which a bullet is to be positioned for subsequent identification of a desired location relative to an intended corresponding cartridge case is provided with an aperture, and an axial passage in the simulator, thereby, communicates with an axial duct in the tubular rod, the rod and simulator being axially aligned. A gauge shaft is disposed for reciprocal movement along the axial aligned passage and duct. A distal end of the shaft is intended to engage the base of a bullet so that the bullet can be urged to a desired axial position relative to a mouth of the cartridge case simulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic feed mechanism for the assembly of ammunition. Ammunition is assembled in the feed mechanism by the joining of bullets with their respective shell casings, one at a time. The automatic feed mechanism is utilized in conjunction with a progressive reloading press. The automatic feed mechanism comprises a replaceable feed tube having a precise bore. The bore is designed to accommodate the free fall of a single bullet of a given caliber for precise alignment with a shell casing of the same caliber. The precision of this alignment stems from the precise bore tolerance for a given bullet caliber, with the union of the bullet and the shell casing only under the influence only of gravitational forces. Should it be desired to join a bullet of another caliber with a shell casing of the same or different caliber, the feed tube is easily removed and replaced by one having the proper dimensions and internal bore to assemble the new ammunition.

Abstract: A loading die for use within an ammunition loading press that is designed for maximum accuracy. Whereas prior art loading dies are inaccurate due to angular and axial misalignment of the various die, ram and ammunition components, the invention has clearance between the sliding sleeves and the die body. The sliding sleeve locates accurately over the cartridge case and due to the clearance, any axial or angular misalignment between the sliding sleeve and die body will not affect the seating accuracy.

Abstract: A seating die that is suitable for use in a cartridge reloading press of the type common employed by marksmen for reloading ammunition. The die includes a retainer housing that is adapted for mounting in the stationary head of the press opposite a coacting movable press ram. An outer guide member is slidably contained within the retainer housing that moves between a home position and a stop position. The guide member has a contoured lower chamber for receiving a shell casing therein the lower communicates with a smaller upper chamber adapted to receive a bullet therein. A second inner guide member is slidably contained in the bullet chamber and is also arranged to move independently within the outer guide member between a home position and a stop position. The inner guide member has a recess formed in its bottom wall for engaging the nose section of a bullet as it enters the bullet chamber. As the ram moves the bullet and the casing into the die, both become firmly seated in their respective chambers.

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: An ammunition reloading die having a generally cylindrical axially bored body and an external thread for mounting it in a reloading press. In one embodiment, a case sizer element is threaded onto and is removable from the nominally lower end of the die body into which cases are pressed for sizing the outer diameter. A stepped mandrel is insertable in the die body. It has a decapping pin extending from its nominally lower end. A bullet seating plug is screwed into the upper end of a body's bore for backing up the mandrel when a case is being pressed onto the mandrel to expand and flare the mouth end of the case and to expel the spent primer from the case. A new primer is installed and the case is charged with powder and a bullet is set in the mouth after which the case is pressed into the die body while the mandrel is removed but the bullet seating plug is installed in the die body in which case pressing the case into the die body seats the bullet and crimps the case in the bullet.

Abstract: A combination ammunition re-loading die having an elongated housing. The housing is externally threaded at both ends to enable entry of either end into the die holder of a reloading press. An expander post is integrally formed at one end of the housing. The other end is provided with a cartridge receiving end opening. A threaded opening in the post receives a threaded shaft projected through to the cartridge receiving end opening. The projected end of the shaft carries a re-loading member, e.g. a bullet seating plug or de-priming pin. The shaft is adjustable within the post opening to adjust the position of the member. The housing can be inserted in the die holder to first present the expander post to the cartridge, and then inverted to present the bullet seating plug or de-priming pin.

Abstract: An in-line bullet feeder including a tubular member having a passage forming a path of travel through the member, a first bullet stop assembly formed by three balls positioned at equally spaced positions around the passage, the balls being biased inwardly by a resilient ring and a second bullet stop assembly formed by three balls positioned above the first stop assembly a spaced distance at equally spaced positions around the passage, the balls of the second stop assembly being retained in the passage by a tubular member having a camming surface and a retaining flange for selectively locking the balls in the passage, the first stop assembly being cammed out of the passage by the open end of the shell case as it enters the passage and the second stop assembly preventing upward movement of the bullet to seat the bullet in the casing.

Abstract: A semi-automatic cartridge reloading machine of the type including a lower travelling platen with a rotatable support for sequentially positioning a plurality of cartridges in each of a series of operating stations and including an upper stationary platen with a plurality of tools or dies depending or extending downwardly and spaced circumferentially about the upper stationary platen and centered over the rotatable support defining a plurality of operating stations is provided with mechanisms for automatically rotating the support to reposition the cartridges in subsequent operating stations at the completion of each reloading step or operation, automatically centering cartridges and removing spent primers from cartridges, automatically belling and admitting powder into cartridges, automatically introducing and inserting new primers into cartridges, automatically introducing and inserting bullets into cartridges, and automatically crimping and seating bullets into cartridges simultaneously and in conjunction

Abstract: A bullet feed assembly for a shell casing reloader, the assembly including a housing having a passage, a gravity feed bullet reservoir connected to the upper end of the passage, a first pair of catch members pivotally mounted in the housing for movement into the passage, to catch the bullets, the catch members including cam surfaces engageable by movement of a shell casing into the passage to release the bullet, and a pair of latch members mounted for pivotal movement into and out of the passage to prevent upward movement of the bullet in the passage.

Abstract: A cartridge reloader having a base. A turret ring mounted to and above the base. A turret having a radially extending flange or rim, the turret being rotatable in the ring for positioning dies that act on a cartridge to be reloaded. Radially inwardly extending lugs on the wall of the ring surrounding a large bore therein. Radially outwardly extending lugs on the turret which interlock with the lugs on the ring while at the same time the turret flange is bearing over its area on the margin of the ring surrounding the large hole. An axially slotted ram having a cartridge holder. A T-shaped priming arm having multiple primer holders. The priming arm nesting in and pivotal in a V-shaped socket in the base. A box having inserts for mounting the reloader base on it.

Abstract: An ammunition casing reloader die set. The sizer and decapping die employs a decapping rod that is frictionally held in the die body with a collet so it can yield without damage. The decapping pin is press fitted in the rod. The bullet seater die is provided with a capped adjusting screw in which the bullet seater element floats so it adjusts itself into alignment when a bullet on a casing is rammed into it.

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: An improved process for joining a shell having a plastic base portion to a cartridge case within a joining region. The joining region extends along a plastic base portion of said shell when it is inserted into the neck portion of the casing and has an upper and lower limit. The base portion is being axially inserted into the neck portion of the casing while being subjected to a relative rotational movement. A glueing or synthetic substance having flow capability is introduced into the neck portion of the casing. This plastic or glueing substance after hardening adheres more strongly to the inner surface of the neck portion than on said plastic base portion.

Abstract: An improved shell reloading machine employing a movable four-position shell plate carried by a single shaft and actuated by a swinging toggle linkage.

Abstract: A bullet seating die for use with an ammunition reloading press, the die including a member having an elongate bore for receiving a cartridge and a bullet seating member mounted in the bore. The bullet seating member is shiftable longitudinally within the bore by operation of a micrometer screw. Coacting grooves and a spring biased member produce a manually and audibly sensed click stop that indicates to the user preselected intervals of adjustment of the bullet seating member in the bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for reloading spent ammunition shells includes a plurality of tools supported on a shaft above an elevatable carriage which define a plurality of reloading stations spaced circumferentially about the shaft, one of the stations having a priming tool and a power recharging tool, and a shell holder plate supported on the carriage for coincident vertical movement therewith and adapted for rotation about the shaft and to receive a plurality of separate spent ammunition shells and to position these shells simultaneously and sequentially in different reloading stations.

Abstract: A depth gauge for measurement of effective loaded cartridge length in relation to the dimensions along the chamber of the rifle or other firearm. The gauge comprises a caliber cap having an aperture corresponding in transverse dimension to the land diameter of the rifle barrel. A guiding body is longitudinally adjustable on the caliber cap and includes inside surfaces complementary to the cartridge diameter. A loaded cartridge is aligned within the body and caliber cap with its bullet nose resting within the aperture. The outer end of the body serves as a length reference by which comparisons can be made between the effective cartridge length and the rifle chamber dimensions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reloading a centerfire cartridge, the apparatus including a resizing die for resizing the cartridge and a single means for forcing a used primer out of the cartridge and for forcing the cartridge out of the resizing die. A flaring tool is then used to flare the cartridge neck and a priming tool is employed to force a primer into the base of the cartridge. Gunpowder is then placed in the cartridge, a new bullet is forced into the cartridge neck, and the cartridge neck is then crimped against the bullet.