Abstract: Intermediate for the production of a projectile in particular a deformable bullet, consisting of a ductile blank, which is cold-formed into the intermediate by means of pressing, a cylindrical solid base end section and a press end section with a central press recess incorporated by means of pressing and a wall limiting the press recess to form an ogival shaped tip, wherein the wall is formed with at least two slots extending in the axial direction of the intermediate, which separate at least two prongs in the circumferential direction of the intermediate, wherein the at least two slots extend by more than 10% of an axial total longitudinal extension of the intermediate from the wall end towards the base end section.

Abstract: Intermediate for the production of a projectile in particular a deformable bullet, consisting of a ductile blank, which is cold-formed into the intermediate by means of pressing, a cylindrical solid base end section and a press end section with a central press recess incorporated by means of pressing and a wall limiting the press recess to form an ogival shaped tip, wherein the wall is formed with at least two slots extending in the axial direction of the intermediate, which separate at least two prongs in the circumferential direction of the intermediate, wherein the at least two slots extend by more than 10% of an axial total longitudinal extension of the intermediate from the wall end towards the base end section.

Abstract: A fully plated hollow-point bullet and a method of manufacturing the bullet wherein a malleable metal precursor core having a central cavity and a surrounding wall is divided into a series of petals, each petal being separated from one another by an air space, and all interior and exterior surfaces of the precursor core, including individual petals, are thereafter electroplated with a second metal and final formed in a hollow-point pointing die, ultimately producing a more robust bullet and one that expands easier and faster on impact than plated bullets of conventional manufacture.

Abstract: Die assemblies for forming a firearm projectile and methods of utilizing the die assemblies are disclosed herein. The die assemblies include a forming die, a first punch, and a second punch. The forming die defines a first side, a second side that is opposed to the first side, and a die cavity that extends between the first side and the second side. The first punch is configured to seal against the forming die from the first side. The second punch is configured to be received within the die cavity from the second side. When the first punch seals against the forming die and the second punch is received within the die cavity, the first punch, the second punch, and the forming die collectively define a forming surface shaped to define an external contour of the firearm projectile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a metal ammunition projectile by metal injection molding comprising the steps of: providing a projectile mold to form a nose extending essentially symmetrically to a shoulder; and an essentially cylindrical bearing surface extending from the shoulder to a base; providing a metal injection molding feedstock comprising a powdered metal and a first binding agent and a second binding agent; injection molding the metal injection molding feedstock into the projectile mold to form a first projectile having a first size; debinding the first projectile to remove the first binding agent; and sintering the first projectile to remove the second binding agent and form a projectile having a second size.

Abstract: Firearm cartridges, firearm projectiles, and/or projectile components formed at least in part from a disclosed ballistic zinc alloy. These ballistic zinc alloys overcome shortcomings of other lead substitutes for firearm projectiles, including Zamak alloys and other conventional zinc alloys. In some embodiments, and as compared to a firearm projectile formed from a conventional zinc alloy, a ballistic zinc alloy firearm projectile has at least one of an increased ductility, an increased frangibility, and/or a decreased tendency to smear or gall within a rifled firearm barrel. In some embodiments, the ballistic zinc alloy is a zinc-aluminum alloy that includes additional alloy components that collectively enhance the properties of the ballistic zinc alloy for use in firearm projectiles.

Abstract: A three component bullet with a core retention feature and a method of forming the bullet is described. The bullet can include a jacket surrounding a core and a locking band disposed around a circumference of the jacket and the core. The locking band can be received in a circumferential depression formed in the jacket and the core such as by compressing the core to cause the core and the jacket to expand radially fore and aft of the locking band. The circumferential depression can include shoulders that are in compressive engagement with the locking band to help secure the locking band in place. The circumferential depression can include an inwardly-extending annular band of jacket material which embeds itself into the core material with the result that the core is locked inside the jacket.

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: To produce lead-free projectiles, iron and copper are melted at a predetermined ratio and rapidly quenched to yield a fine-grained microstructure with uniformly distributed copper and iron phases. The iron-copper alloy may be made into a powder through atomization, with the iron-copper molten metal being dispersed using a rapidly moving gas, liquid stream, or via mechanical dispersion. The step of forming the bullet may include uniaxially pressing and solid-state sintering of the atomized powder, including heating at a temperature below 1083° C., the melting point of copper. Alternatively, the step of shaping the mixture into a bullet-shaped form may include casting the molten mixture into a mold. A ceramic powder may be added to the copper-iron mixture prior to forming to produce a frangible projectile. The method may further include the step of adding another elemental powder to enhance strength, toughness, density, or hardness.

Abstract: A projectile for a firearm and a method of making the projectile. The projectile separates into fragments upon striking a target. The direction and paths of the fragment are determined by the dimensions and shape of the fragments.

Abstract: A gun firing method whereby 4 projectile segments that are contained in a cartridge case are fired simultaneously which creates a predetermined square pattern on a target to increase the hit probability of the dispersion. In the primary embodiment of the invention two sets of side by side projectile segments that are contained in the cartridge case are fired by a gun, spin around their fore and aft axis, and provide a powerful square salvo. The dispersion produces a substantial increase in the hit probability when compared to a single shot.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a cost effective method of manufacturing bullets or projectiles for firearms which are identifiable after firing and undergoing damage. The mass production of low cost ammunition makes adoption of a requirement that projectiles be so identifiable unlikely unless manufacturing methods and costs are not substantially disrupted. The method envisioned produces projectile bodies from rod or wire stock by encasing identification tag material, and swaging a projectile body with a wholly or partially encased tag with indicia. The stock may be extruded around premade identification tags or a recess may be reverse extruded in each slug. The tags may have repeated indicia in each projectile and some indicia may be accessible from the outside of a completed round of ammunition. The swaging process retains the identification tags which are protected by the body of the projectile for recovery after the projectile is used.

Abstract: A method for providing permanently colored steel shot for shot shells through anodizing and shells manufactured utilizing the shot.

Abstract: A lightweight projectile having an integrated driving band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile for engaging the rifling of a barrel to impart spin stabilization to the projectile. The driving band protrudes from the polymer base to minimize the contact between the polymer base and the rifling to reduce friction between the barrel and the projectile as the projectile is fired. The reduced friction allows the lightweight projectile to be propelled with minimal propellant force while still retaining the ballistic advantages of a spin stabilized projectile.

Abstract: The invention provides a bullet. The bullet comprises a bullet-shaped body of a first metal composition, which body has a hollow cavity defined therein along the axis of the bullet with an opening at the point of the bullet shaped body. The bullet further comprises a plunger of a second composition, preferably metal, which metal is harder than the first metal, and shaped generally complementary to the hollow cavity. Hollow empty cavities may preferably be provided between the plunger and the hollow.

Abstract: Disclosed is spin-stabilized ammunition for use in grooved or smooth bore handheld firearms with calibers up to 60 mm. The projectile of the ammunition features a body in the shape of a truncated cone at the top of a cylinder with proportions of the cone length to the cylinder length varying between from one-to-six to one-to-three depending on the expected initial speed of the projectile after the ammunition has been discharged. A central longitudinal barrel extends through the projectile with a proportion of the entrance diameter and exit diameter of 1.38-to-one for expected discharge speeds near sound velocity or of 1.22-to-one for expected discharge of hypersonic velocities. Finally, nozzles within the projectile create a spinning motion around the projectile's axis, the nozzles being located between cavities for propellant charges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a core (1) for a projectile (2). So that the dividing behavior of the projectile can be set in a simple manner, wherein the core is lead-free, it is proposed that one or more wires or wire sections composed of a lead-free material are compressed to form a cavity-free core (1), wherein the wires or wire sections have one or more geometrical shapes (3) in the interior or on the outside diameter and/or predetermined braking points (4) obtained during the compression are provided in the core (1).

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: A projectile includes: (a) a cured, toughened polymer resin; and (b) a particulate filler distributed through the resin, the filler having a density greater than a density of the resin, wherein the projectile has average density less than the density of lead.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to spin-stabilized ammunition for use in grooved or smooth bore handheld firearms with calibers up to 60 mm. The projectile of the ammunition features: a body in the shape of a truncated cone at the top of a cylinder with proportions of the cone length to the cylinder length varying between from one-to-six to one-to-three depending on the expected initial speed of the projectile after the ammunition has been discharged; a central longitudinal barrel through the projectile with a proportion of the entrance diameter and exit diameter of 1.38-to-one for expected discharge speeds near sound velocity or of 1.22-to-one for expected discharge of hypersonic velocities; nozzles for the creation of a spinning motion of the ammunition around the projectile's axis, the nozzle being located between cavities for propellant charges.

Abstract: Several shot shell pellets are connected by a tether strung through a hole or pinched in center of each pellet. Several shot pellets are connected in this manner with only the pellets at the end of the tether being fixed to the tether. The tether may be string, twine, thread, or elastic material, or may be connected through various other means. Differently shaped and sized shot pellets may also be used, and different numbers of shot pellets may also be tethered in this fashion.

Abstract: In making frangible objects, including lead-free bullets and other projectiles, powdered metal primary and powdered ceramic secondary phases are mixed and densified at an elevated temperature such that the ceramic phase forms a brittle network. Any combination of metal and ceramic phases may be used to achieve desired chemical and physical properties. Any appropriate mixing, forming, and/or thermal processing methods and equipment may be used. Degrees of frangibility, strength, and toughness can be adjusted to suit a given application by precursor selection, degree of mixing, relative amounts of metal and ceramic phases, forming method, and thermal and mechanical processing parameters.

Abstract: A shotgun shell tracer which includes a base wall, an obturator extending from the base wall, an edge wall extending from the base wall opposite to the obturator, where the edge wall defines an internal space, and where a ballast chamber support is engaged to the base wall extending from the base wall within the internal space. The tracer also includes a tracer insert encircling a least a portion of the ballast chamber support within said internal space to form a plurality of sections. The edge wall may include one or more slits to form petals to improve the flight accuracy for the tracer following discharge from a shotgun shell.

Abstract: This invention describes a frangible bullet made from particles of a copper-based metal powder with the aid of an organic lubricant, which have been pressed so that the pressed particles have a density of more than 6.9 g/cm3, where the composition has been treated with thermal oxidation.

Abstract: A projectile formed from dissimilar materials. The projectile includes a metallurgical interlayer that joins the dissimilar materials together. The metallurgical interlayer also matches the shock impedance of the two materials to prevent delamination during launch and during impact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a bullet charged with compressible composite explosives, process of the method comprising: 1) particle explosives is measured using constant quantity supplying device and is charged to a pallette mold; 2) the particle explosives is transferred to pellet-forming mold and then the particle explosives of the pellet-forming mold is molded under constant pressure to a pellet; 3) the pellet-forming mold is transported to the upper side of the bullet body fixing mold, thereby exiting the pellet of the pellet-forming mold, and the pellet which is inserted to the bullet of the bullet body fixing mold is pressed under constant pressure for charging; 4) the bullet with the pellet completely charged is transported to the bullet separating device; and 5) excess explosives is removed through cutting from said bullet.

Abstract: A method of operating a progressive die wherein the progressive die acts on a work piece having an elongated body with a blank at one end. The work piece is supported by a bandolier which is also formed in the progressive die. The progressive die acts on each blank.

Abstract: A method of operating a progressive die wherein the progressive die acts on a work piece having an elongated body with a blank at one end. The work piece is supported by a bandolier which is also formed in the progressive die. The progressive die acts on each blank.

Abstract: A bullet comprising a lead-free body having a tail section and a nose section. The nose section has an ogived outer surface and a forward terminus. The body further has an opening at the terminus, and a cavity in the nose section. The cavity extends rearward from the opening to an intermediate section of the body. The cavity includes a forward sidewall having at least a generally frusto-conical shape that converges rearward from the opening to a transition area. The cavity further includes a rear sidewall extending rearward from the transition area at a different angle than the forward sidewall.

Abstract: Marking cartridge for conventional firearms that deposits marking media on impact with a target. The marking cartridge generally comprises a marking projectile containing a quantity of marking media beneath a frangible cap portion and having a more durable exterior surface adapted to engage the rifling of the barrel when fired. The marking projectile also may comprise a receptacle for marking media having a curled lip adapted to remove air during assembly and excess marking media to insure a consistent quantity of marking media is contained within the marking projectile. The receptacle defining a marking media cavity radially spaced from exterior bearing portion wall and having a mushroom shape. The marking cartridge also may comprise an extendable casing.

Abstract: A pellet for a sporting rifle or a sporting gun includes a body and a tip that are joined together. A lower portion of the body includes a first internal cavity, and a head of the body includes a second internal cavity. The tip includes an upper part ending in at least one vertex and a lower part, the upper and lower parts being joined at their bases. The lower part of the tip is received in the second internal cavity. A portion of the head may be crimped around the tip to hold the tip inside the second internal cavity of the body. An outer hoop may be formed on the tip, and the portion of the head that is crimped may be crimped above the hoop to securely hold the tip in the body.

Abstract: In making frangible objects, including lead-free bullets and other projectiles, powdered metal primary and powdered ceramic secondary phases are mixed and densified at an elevated temperature such that the ceramic phase forms a brittle network. Any combination of metal and ceramic phases may be used to achieve desired chemical and physical properties. Any appropriate mixing, forming, and/or thermal processing methods and equipment may be used. Degrees of frangibility, strength, and toughness can be adjusted to suit a given application by precursor selection, degree of mixing, relative amounts of metal and ceramic phases, forming method, and thermal and mechanical processing parameters.

Abstract: Firearm projectiles and methods of manufacturing firearm projectiles from a supply of clad wire. In some embodiments, the clad wire is manufactured as electrical wire, such as copper-clad steel wire. Bullets and shot, as well as methods of forming bullets and shot, from clad wire are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incorporating nanophase elemental materials and metastable interstitial composite materials into projectiles, projectile fragments, ordnance casings, warheads and structural components. The projectile, fragments and casings include an elemental material capable of oxidizing. A coating material that is capable of preventing oxidation of the elemental material and an oxidizing agent may be present and be capable of reacting with the elemental material so that a self-propagating high temperature synthesis reaction from a stabilized solid material is yielded for the purpose of rendering terminal effects or thermal impact to a target at impact.

Abstract: A pellet for a sporting rifle or a sporting gun includes a body and a tip that are joined together. A lower portion of the body includes a first internal cavity, and a head of the body includes a second internal cavity. The tip includes an upper part ending in at least one vertex and a lower part, the upper and lower parts being joined at their bases. The lower part of the tip is received in the second internal cavity. A portion of the head may be crimped around the tip to hold the tip inside the second internal cavity of the body. An outer hoop may be formed on the tip, and the portion of the head that is crimped may be crimped above the hoop to securely hold the tip in the body.

Abstract: A projectile core is provided formed from a carrier and a colorant. The carrier and colorant are mixed into a core mixture, which is formed into a predetermined core shape. The core mixture is cured until substantially firm, such as by drying, heating or freezing. An outer layer may be formed adjacent the surface of the projectile core by heating. An outer coating may also be applied to the projectile core. A method of forming a projectile core comprises: (a) mixing a carrier and a colorant to form a core mixture; (b) forming the core mixture into a predetermined core shape; and, (c) curing the core mixture until a substantially firm projectile core is formed.

Abstract: A frangible projectile for expelling from an industrial ballistic tool may be formed by a powder metallurgy process. A preferred embodiment of slug consists essentially of compacted and optionally sintered material and comprises up to 35% ferrotungsten in particulate form, up to 3% lubricant, and the balance iron in particulate form with inevitable impurities.

Abstract: A frangible projectile for expelling from an industrial ballistic tool may be formed by a powder metallurgy process. A preferred embodiment of slug consists essentially of compacted and optionally sintered material and comprises up to 35% ferrotungsten in particulate form, up to 3% lubricant, and the balance iron in particulate form with inevitable impurities.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a triboluminescent projectile useful for identifying a point of impact and includes one or more triboluminescent materials contained thereon or therein. The projectile is in the form of any shape or size and is constructed and arranged to be combined with at least one triboluminescent material. Mechanical stress inducing materials may be included with the triboluminescent materials. The projectile, in combination with the triboluminescent materials, provides a user with identification of the target-projectile point of impact.

Abstract: This invention describes a frangible bullet made from particles of a copper-based metal powder with the aid of an organic lubricant, which have been pressed so that the pressed particles have a density of more than 6.9 g/cm3, where the composition has been treated with thermal oxidation.

Abstract: A pellet for a sporting rifle or a sporting gun includes a body and a tip that are joined together. A lower portion of the body includes a first internal cavity, and a head of the body includes a second internal cavity. The tip includes an upper part ending in at least one vertex and a lower part, the upper and lower parts being joined at their bases. The lower part of the tip is received in the second internal cavity. A portion of the head may be crimped around the tip to hold the tip inside the second internal cavity of the body. An outer hoop may be formed on the tip, and the portion of the head that is crimped may be crimped above the hoop to securely hold the tip in the body.

Abstract: A method of operating a progressive die wherein the progressive die acts on a work piece having an elongated body with a blank at one end. The work piece is supported by a bandolier which is also formed in the progressive die. The progressive die acts on each blank.

Abstract: A projectile, including a compacted and sintered mixture of a plurality of tungsten particles and a plurality of iron particles. At least a portion of the plurality of iron particles are bonded together, and no intermetallic compounds or alloys of the tungsten particles and iron particles are formed during the compaction and sintering processes. The final density of the projectile is from about 8.1 grams per cubic centimeter to about 12.1 grams per cubic centimeter, and no substantial densification occurs during sintering. A method of producing such a projectile is also disclosed.

Abstract: A paintball has one or more dimples or depressions formed on the outer surface of the paintball. In some embodiments, the depressions can have a uniform or non-uniform shape and be spaced equally about the circumference of the paintball. In some embodiments, each depression may provide increased lift and/or fragility to the paintball.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ammunition 10 for firing from the barrel of a weapon comprises forming a mould 32 having an interior surface, placing a core 42 in the mould 32 to produce a casting void 43 and pouring a liquefied solidifiable material into the casting void 43. Upon solidification of the material, the core 42 is removed to produce a projectile body 12 having a closed end and an opposite end. The removal of the core 42 also creates the cavity 18 in the projectile body 12 that opens onto the opposite end. The projectile body 12 is removed from the mould 32 and a quantity of propellant 22 is deposited into the cavity 18 through the opposite end. A seal 26 which incorporates a primer is pressed into the opposite end. Circumferential flanges 30a and 30b are integrally moulded with the projectile body 12.

Abstract: Methods and articles are provided for frangible slugs. A method of manufacturing a frangible slug includes heating substantially spherical metallic powdered particles, where substantially all of the powdered particles have diameters larger than 125 microns and smaller than 250 microns, to form heated powdered particles. The method includes heating a microcrystalline wax to form a melted wax. The method also includes combining the heated powdered particles with the melted wax to form a liquid mixture. The method further includes filling a payload cavity of a slug container with the liquid mixture to form a liquid mixture payload, where the slug container is configured to retain a solidified frangible payload as the frangible slug until impact with a solid object.

Abstract: A method for geometrically enhancing of the flight of a projectile fired from a weapon to an intended target, including development of a flat annular face on the outermost end of the ogive portion of the projectile, such flat annular face being oriented in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to, and concentric with, the longitudinal centerline of the projectile, and further including extraction of extraneous material from the meplat cavity of the projectile while establishing at least a void volume within the meplat cavity which is substantially concentric with the longitudinal centerline of the projectile and of substantially uniform size and geometry from projectile to projectile. Geometric alteration of the wall thickness of the flat annular face also may be provided. An enhanced projectile and a round of ammunition are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making bullets on a progressive die wherein the progressive dies acts on a work piece having an elongated body with blanks at each end. The work piece is supported by a bandolier which is also formed in the progressive die. The progressive die forms each blank into a bullet, effectively doubling the output of the progressive die relative to a progressive die that acts upon a work piece that supports, or is, a single blank.

Abstract: The projectile of the present invention combines the advantages of both the solid and hollow point designs, featuring the initial ballistics of a solid projectile and the terminal (target) ballistic effects of a hollow-point projectile, without the risk of collecting undesired foreign matter into the cavity in the unfired configuration and also eliminating the possible feeding problems from the magazine to the barrel chamber by a simple manufacturing process. A plunger (4) is initially positioned in the expansion chamber (2) of the projectile. Upon sinking into the projectile body (1) no part of the plunger head (5) touches the internal surface of the expansion chamber (2) except for the bottom of such chamber (2) so that the plunger (4) has no active role in the expansion of the projectile upon impact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bullet made of a single solid piece of deformable metal, containing no lead or toxic material, easily deformable but without fragmentation in a soft environment with a high rate of energy transfer, and a high level of solidity in hard targets, retaining most or its total initial weight while penetrating those targets. Said objects are achieved by constructing a solid monobloc bullet with a cavity on the longitudinal axis which is opened towards the fore end of the bullet. The method of construction encompasses a sequence of simple operations: cutting of a cylinder blank of soft material, forming a cavity centered on the longitudinal axis, and forming an ogival or conical form, with external pre-cuts to foster an homogenous deformation.