Abstract: A device for reshaping casings of spent ammunition cartridges, in one embodiment reduces the diametrical size of the casing wall by forcing the casing into an annular space at the end of a housing through which a plunger shaft slides. In another embodiment, the mouth of a casing is flared outwardly by engagement with the exterior of the end of a housing which has a circumscribing groove to enable easier disengagement of the re-shaped casing. The preferred reshaping devices comprise a plunger having shaft which, when contacted by a casing being re-shaped, compresses an elastomer spring that substantially fills a spring housing cavity and has an exceptionally high spring rate. After each reshaping, the spring causes the plunger shaft to disengage the casing from the device. A recess in the terminal end of a plunger shaft avoids damaging new types of unique two piece casings that have a wave at the interior bottom of the casing.

Abstract: The cartridge case preparation rotor device trims cartridge cases to overall length correctly and further prepares them for reloading. The rotor holds multiple case preparation tools so that the user may conveniently and precisely apply them more squarely to a turning cartridge case. The rotor slides and turns on a rod mounted opposite a variable speed motor fitted with a chuck turning a case holder. Flexibility of the rod and oscillation of the rotor permit each tool to follow case eccentricity. An enlarged grip on the case holder simplifies installation and removal of cases. A neck cleaning tool cleans the inside and outside of the case neck simultaneously. The rotor may be slid along and turned upon the rod manually, or the motor and rotor can be mounted on a progressive press. The pushbutton control switch can be pressed by hand, or set on the floor as a foot switch.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for large bore gun systems having an integrated retention assembly for maintaining propellant charges within the cartridge case. The cartridge case having an interior space for receiving propellant charges and an open proximate end through which the propellant charges can be fed. An insulating sleeve defining an interior channel is affixed to the cartridge case and extends out of the proximate end of the cartridge case. The interior channel serves as a chute through which propellant charges can be fed. After the propellant charges are loaded, the insulating sleeve is crimped closed to retain the propellant charges within the cartridge case. A closure plug can be inserted into the proximate end of the cartridge case after the insulating sleeve is crimped closed.

Abstract: A shotgun cartridge having a weighted wad for controlling the separation point between the wad and the shot load. The wad having a tail portion and a nose portion with the nose portion shifting the center of gravity of the wad axially forward away from the center of pressure compared to where the center of gravity would be if the nose portion was not weighted thereby controlling the shot load separation and enhancing the shot pattern.

Abstract: A less than lethal projectile and method of producing the same comprising of a sealed filled polymeric pouch containing a shot within. The sealed filled polymeric pouch is formed in a form, fill, and seal machine. An automatic loading ammunition machine is fed empty shell casings; the ammunition machine automatically loads the empty shell casing with pre-determined quantities of wad, primer, and gun powder, and subsequently moves the sealed filled polymeric pouch into a projectile compartment of the empty shell casing producing a fully-loaded shell casing to be loaded into a barrel of an ammunition. The polymeric pouch is capable of being inserted into various shell casings depending on the intended use thus allowing for officers and soldiers to select from an array of munitions when confronted with a situation where less than lethal means are required.

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: The present invention refers to equipment, for the recharging firearm cartridges, having four modules that can operate jointly or separately. The equipment includes a calibrating press, that calibrates and removes a deflagrated fuse of the case through the movement of the piston tool ports and a washing turbine having a rotating nucleus that moves angularly between 90 and ?90 degrees to facilitate loading, washing and discharging of the cases. The equipment also includes a fuse press for fuse assembly in the case, with automatic rejection of the defective cases through pneumatic auxiliary cylinders of high sensitivity. The press includes a case feeder system; a rotating disk; and a reservoir feeder of fuses. The press also includes a dosage press for the assembly and packing of the cartridges, with movements synchronized vertically, circular and lineal, with main cylinder and commanded by panel provided with commands for control of the gunpowder dosage.

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 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: An apparatus and method for facilitating the removal of spent primers from a press having a ram is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of punching a primer hole at a specified location, drilling the primer hole to a specified diameter and specified angle, drilling the hole to a larger diameter, inserting a piece of thin wall tubing into the primer hole, attaching a length of plastic tubing to the thin wall tubing and extending a lower end of the plastic tubing into a receptacle of choice.

Abstract: A shell reforming system and method is shown comprising an automatically temperature-controlled and detachable heat mandrel on which a shell may be situated for a predetermined period of time. The system and method further utilize a plurality of detachable cooling mandrels which facilitate cooling the shell and deforming it to a desired shape, such as a generally elongated cylinder shape. The system and method is suitable for handling multiple gauge shells and for maintaining and controlling the temperature delivered to the heat mandrel so that shotshells may be reformed consistently. A method for reconditioning and reshaping the shotshells using the automatically controlled heat source is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for resizing the neck of a cartridge case which includes a housing secured to a stationary head of a reloading press. A support sleeve is attached within the housing such that the support sleeve can slide within a bore of the housing. The apparatus utilizes interchangeable bushings, located within the support sleeve, which each have substantially the same outside diameter but which have varying inside diameters. The bushings are marked with their inside diameter and the user selects a bushing with an inside diameter which the user determines will most accurately resize the neck. To change bushings, the top portion of the housing is separated from the bottom portion of the housing and the components inside the housing can then be slid out of the end of the bottom portion of the housing. A different bushing can be substituted for the one that was previously used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retrofitting shell feeding attachment for shotgun shell reloading machines. The invention includes a declined tray held by a forked tray support, a funnel tube member leading from a discharge port located in the tray, and a feed tube leading from the funnel tube member and into a plunger block device. The plunger block device uses a linkage mechanism joined to a shell sliding member to automatically translate the vertical reciprocating motion of a plate member on the machine into sequential horizontal motions for sliding the shells discharging from the feed tube into proper loading position underneath the plate member.

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: 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 shotshell die set to facilitate reloading shotgun shells when using a commercially available press. The shotshell die set includes a depriming pin and shell holder adaptor for supporting the spent shell casing in a position to remove the spent primer from the sheel casing by using the depriming pin in association with the press. A priming pin and another shell holder adaptor are utilized with the spent shell casing in order to insert a new primer in the shell casing. A sizing and crimping die together with an additional shell holder adaptor and crimping plug are utilized to enable complete reloading and reshaping of the shell by using existing devices so the shell is then ready for use in a firearm in a conventional manner.

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: 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 reloader for reloading cartridges. A reciprocating plunger carries a turret that rotates around the axis of the plunger. The turret carries a plurality of cartridges for reloading, the cartridges being symmetrically spaced around the turret axis and adapted to be indexed around the axis in a step-by-step sequence. An overhead die holder contains a plurality of dies spaced in a symmetrical pattern similar to that of the cartridges but in fixed positions. A center opening in the die holder houses a rotatable bushing. The rotation of the bushing is controlled in part by a one-way clutch. An indexing shaft affixed to the turret extends from the turret axis through the bushing. The shaft has a multi-sided cross section and is slidably fitted to the bushing in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The configured cross section has an axial twist and when forced through the bushing by the reciprocating plunger, causes turning of one or the other of the shaft and turret or the bushing.

Abstract: To permit automatic ejection of shells in a progressive shell loader, a cam is mounted near the turret holding the shells. As the carriage is raised and lowered, two pawls and an index wheel turn it so that the shells advance toward a final station. Immediately prior to the final station, the cam engages a spring-biased lever to cause it to eject the reloaded shell. The pawls engage camming surfaces formed on the bottom of a single-piece index wheel to turn it.

Abstract: An improved shell reloading machine incorporating in addition to the essential features of utility convenience and low cost, an effective means for the prevention of primer cap detonation which might otherwise occur due to improper alignment of the primer feed mechanism.

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).

Abstract: To enable a shell to be automatically primed during operation of a loader, the primers are mounted within a chute to fall by gravity to an opening where a lever is pivoted by a cam as the shell carriage of the loader moves in a vertical direction within the frame of the loader. The motion of the lever moves one of the primers from the chute into position underneath the shell carriage for insertion into the shell casing as the carriage moves downward against the base of the loader frame. The lever arm is spring-biased into position underneath the rim of the holder and contacts a cam mounted to move up and down with the carriage upon the actuating of the loader handle by an operator. The shell is deprived during the upward movement of the carriage and the downward movement.

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: An ammunition case reloading press is based on an O-frame die cast from a low strength metal. A case carrying ram is driven reciprocably through a bottom member of the O-frame toward and away from a die in a top member. A compound lever system is actuated by a manual operating arm to drive the ram. A stop prohibits the links of the lever system from toggling into dead center position to thereby limit the stress of the O-frame. The operating arm is designed so it will flex to signal the user that unnecessarily great resistance is being offered and that the die should be adjusted relative to the ram to reduce the stress. The operating arm and lever system pivots are askew to a vertical plane passing through the frame so the arm swings clear past the side of the O-frame and so there is a clearer line of sight to the opening in the O-frame where the cases are placed on and removed from the ram.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resizing a spent firearm cartridge using a press for reshaping the cartridge is disclosed. The press includes a base block, two parallel rods vertically positioned transversally with respect to said block, and a pressure bar slidably attached to the rods. A U-shaped handle operates the pressure bar to force a cartridge into a die, and thereafter removing the cartridge from the die.

Abstract: The thermoplastic shotshell reconditioning tool includes an elongated member having a front conductive tip portion adapted to be heated to a high temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material of the shotshell tubular portion. A reduced diameter portion of the member is disposed rearwardly of the tip portion to retard axial heat transfer toward a rear handle portion. A generally cylindrical shell conditioning portion is disposed immediately rearwardly of the reduced diameter portion for receiving the heated mouth portion of the melted shell tubular portion to permit it to cool as the heated tip portion advances axially toward the base end portion of the shotshell. The outer surface of the tip portion is heated with a blow torch to a high temperature in the range of 250.degree. F. and 350.degree. F. The heated tip portion is manually inserted into snug contact with the crimped mouth portion of the expended shotshell to melt it for reshaping purposes.

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: 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 reloader for a shotgun primer housing, comprising anvil means mounted on a platform for supporting the primer housing in either an upright position for removing the primer from the housing or in an inverted position for inserting a new primer into the housing. A punch is provided having an elongated tip portion which is capable of entering an aperture in the primer housing when it is in the inverted position for removing the primer from the housing and a ram is provided having a flat pressing surface for forcing a new primer into the housing through the upwardly-facing open bottom of the primer housing when the housing is supported on the anvil means in the inverted position.

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 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.

Abstract: In a shell loading device, a sizing station is provided wherein a sizing ring is forced onto the head of a shell while depriming. A second station is provided for priming the shell. The priming post at the second station is provided with a freely exposed top face and a central vertical bore through which the primer may be manually dropped onto a support surface. The priming post is vertically movable to force the shell onto the primer. The primer support surface is surrounded by a well having an upwardly extending wall. The upper end of the wall is such that when the priming post forces the shell into the well, the wall end engages and strips the sizing ring from the head of the shell.

Abstract: A reloader for reloading cartridges. A reciprocating plunger carries a turret that rotates around the axis of the plunger. The turret carries a plurality of cartridges for reloading, the cartridges being symmetrically spaced around the turret axis and adapted to be indexed around the axis in a step-by-step sequence. An overhead die holder contains a plurality of dies spaced in a symmetrical pattern similar to that of the cartridges but in fixed positions. A center opening the die holder houses a rotatable bushing. The rotation of the bushing is controlled in part by a one-way clutch. An indexing shaft affixed to the turret extends from the turret axis through the bushing. The shaft has a multi-sided cross section and is slidably fitted to the bushing in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The configured cross section has an axial twist and when forced through the bushing by the reciprocating plunger, causes turning of one or the other of the shaft and turret or the bushing.