A lightweight projectile having an integrated metal band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile. The metal band may be a driving band that 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 lightweight projectile may be propelled with less propellant force than conventional projectiles of the same caliber while still retaining the ballistic advantages of a spin stabilized projectile.

A lightweight projectile having an integrated metal band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile. The metal band may be a driving band that 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 lightweight projectile may be propelled with less propellant force than conventional projectiles of the same caliber while still retaining the ballistic advantages of a spin stabilized projectile.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to manufacturing an insert-molded expanding projectile. Aspects of the disclosure include locating a portion of a projectile body within a converging tip mold, the projectile body including a metal jacket extending from a tail portion to a nose portion and surrounding an interior solid core. The metal jacket and nose portion may be tapered in a forward direction to an annular forward edge defining an opening to an undercut interior cavity. Melted polymer may be injected into the converging tip mold and allowed to cool thereby forming a polymer tip having a main portion forward of the opening and a tip retention portion filling the undercut interior cavity and having a shape corresponding to the undercut interior cavity to retain the polymer tip in place.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to manufacturing an insert-molded expanding projectile. Aspects of the disclosure include locating a portion of a projectile body within a converging tip mold, the projectile body including a metal jacket extending from a tail portion to a nose portion and surrounding an interior solid core. The metal jacket and nose portion may be tapered in a forward direction to an annular forward edge defining an opening to an undercut interior cavity. Melted polymer may be injected into the converging tip mold and allowed to cool thereby forming a polymer tip having a main portion forward of the opening and a tip retention portion filling the undercut interior cavity and having a shape corresponding to the undercut interior cavity to retain the polymer tip in place.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a polymeric ammunition cartridge and methods of making and using the same. The cartridge includes a substantially cylindrical insert connected to a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body. The substantially cylindrical insert includes a top surface opposite a bottom surface and a substantially cylindrical coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, a primer flash hole positioned in the primer recess to extend through the bottom surface, and a flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface. The substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body includes a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end and a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end connected by a powder chamber, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end extends over the substantially cylindrical coupling element and covers a circumferential surface of the primer flash hole.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a polymeric ammunition cartridge and methods of making and using the same. The cartridge includes a substantially cylindrical insert connected to a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body. The substantially cylindrical insert includes a top surface opposite a bottom surface and a substantially cylindrical coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, a primer flash hole positioned in the primer recess to extend through the bottom surface, and a flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface. The substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body includes a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end and a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end connected by a powder chamber, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end extends over the substantially cylindrical coupling element and covers a circumferential surface of the primer flash hole.

Progressive ammunition press system, components thereof, and associated methods. The press system may include a press control system integrated with the press. The press may include a case carriage including a case carrier supported by a bearing. Case retainer gates may be provided for retaining cases in the case carrier. A bullet feeding system can be arranged to permit bullet feeding and seating in a single station of the press. A primer feeder can be self-contained, gear-driven, and/or recirculating.

The present invention provides a primer insert for use in a polymeric ammunition cartridge includes atop surface opposite a bottom surface and a extraction flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the substantially cylindrical coupling element is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, wherein the primer recess comprises a recess bottom and a circular recess side wall; a primer flash aperture through the recess bottom that extends through the bottom surface, wherein the primer flash aperture is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding to form a flash hole; and one or more pads positioned on the recess bottom; a groove in the primer recess positioned around the primer flash aperture to extend at least partially over the recess bottom and adapted to receive a polymer overmolding.

The present invention provides a primer insert for use in a polymeric ammunition cartridge includes atop surface opposite a bottom surface and a extraction flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the substantially cylindrical coupling element is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, wherein the primer recess comprises a recess bottom and a circular recess side wall; a primer flash aperture through the recess bottom that extends through the bottom surface, wherein the primer flash aperture is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding to form a flash hole; and one or more pads positioned on the recess bottom; a groove in the primer recess positioned around the primer flash aperture to extend at least partially over the recess bottom and adapted to receive a polymer overmolding.

The present invention provides polymer ammunition having a primer insert having: a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the coupling element comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface comprises: a transition region that transitions from the bottom surface to a second segment wherein the transition region has a radius of from 0.02 to 0.08; a first segment extending from the second segment and terminates at a tip, wherein the first segment has a first segment distance from 0.05 to 0.09 inches and the second segment has a second segment distance from 0.05 to 0.09 inches, wherein the second segment has a second segment angle from +3 to −3 degrees relative to the first segment angle and the first segment has a first segment angle from +6 to −6 degrees from perpendicular to the top surface; a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface; a primer flash aperture positioned in the primer recess through the bottom surface; and a flash aperture groove in the primer recess and positioned around the primer flash aperture and adapted to receive a polymer overmolding through the primer flash aperture.