A less-than-lethal kinetic impact projectile and an associated less-than-lethal ammunition round are provided. The projectile has a typically self-supporting, sealed cylindrical elastomeric bag with a particulate load therein and with a deformable hemispherical hollow nose cap forwardly attached to a front of the cylindrical elastomeric bag. The round has a cylindrical casing with an ignitable propellant powder charge disposed therein, and the projectile nested within the casing forwardly of the propellant powder charge. In operation, the polymer material of the cylindrical elastomeric bag with deformable hollow nose cap is such that the projectile will expand in diameter but remain intact when impacting against a soft or semi-soft target (e.g., the body of a human being or animal), but will tend to fragment, disintegrate, or open up at the back, upon impact with a hard or semi hard target (e.g., against concrete or wood).

A less-than-lethal kinetic impact projectile and an associated less-than-lethal ammunition round are provided. The projectile has a typically self-supporting, sealed cylindrical elastomeric bag with a particulate load therein and with a deformable hemispherical hollow nose cap forwardly attached to a front of the cylindrical elastomeric bag. The round has a cylindrical casing with an ignitable propellant powder charge disposed therein, and the projectile nested within the casing forwardly of the propellant powder charge. In operation, the polymer material of the cylindrical elastomeric bag with deformable hollow nose cap is such that the projectile will expand in diameter but remain intact when impacting against a soft or semi-soft target (e.g., the body of a human being or animal), but will tend to fragment, disintegrate, or open up at the back, upon impact with a hard or semi hard target (e.g., against concrete or wood).

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an ammunition cartridge includes a cartridge casing having a longitudinal center axis, a powder pocket positioned adjacent to the cartridge casing, a piston bore positioned adjacent to the powder pocket, a piston in the piston bore, and a payload bay positioned adjacent to the payload bay, wherein the piston is not coupled to the cartridge, wherein the piston is in contact with the payload bay wherein a diameter of the powder pocket is less than an inside diameter of the cartridge casing to provide a reduced velocity to the payload.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an ammunition cartridge includes a cartridge casing having a longitudinal center axis, a powder pocket positioned adjacent to the cartridge casing, a piston bore positioned adjacent to the powder pocket, a piston in the piston bore, and a payload bay positioned adjacent to the payload bay, wherein the piston is not coupled to the cartridge, wherein the piston is in contact with the payload bay wherein a diameter of the powder pocket is less than an inside diameter of the cartridge casing to provide a reduced velocity to the payload.

A novel castable frangible projectile and techniques for manufacturing such are provided. A cartridge system includes a case defining a volume, a propellant disposed in the volume of the case, and a projectile coupled to the case. The projectile includes a body disposed at least partially within the case and configured to enclose the propellant within the volume of the case. The body is formed of a castable eutectic mixture, the castable eutectic mixture configured to be melted and cast, wherein the body is configured to break into a plurality of fragments upon impact with a target.

An ammunition reloading system is configured to be operatively coupled with an ammunition reloading press to enable automated operation of the press. The reloading system includes a motor and a power transmission assembly that enables rotational power in a single direction from the motor to drive the ammunition reloading press. A controller is communicatively coupled to the motor and to one or more press position sensors to determine a position of the press within a press stroke cycle and increase or decrease the speed of the motor accordingly.

A novel castable frangible projectile and techniques for manufacturing such are provided. A cartridge system includes a case defining a volume, a propellant disposed in the volume of the case, and a projectile coupled to the case. The projectile includes a body disposed at least partially within the case and configured to enclose the propellant within the volume of the case. The body is formed of a castable eutectic mixture, the castable eutectic mixture configured to be melted and cast, wherein the body is configured to break into a plurality of fragments upon impact with a target.

A cartridge assembly that includes a non-lethal projectile and a carrier configured for retaining and launching the non-lethal projectile. The carrier includes a housing including a combustion chamber, at least one escape aperture, a primer, and a case connected to the housing. The case encases the non-lethal projectile. The case and the housing collectively define a launch chamber that is fluidly connected to the at least one escape aperture. The launch chamber is configured for launching the non-lethal projectile out of the case. The at least one escape aperture is configured for metering pressurized gas from the combustion chamber to the launch chamber for launching the non-lethal projectile.

A cartridge assembly that includes a non-lethal projectile and a carrier configured for retaining and launching the non-lethal projectile. The carrier includes a housing including a combustion chamber, at least one escape aperture, a primer, and a case connected to the housing. The case encases the non-lethal projectile. The case and the housing collectively define a launch chamber that is fluidly connected to the at least one escape aperture. The launch chamber is configured for launching the non-lethal projectile out of the case. The at least one escape aperture is configured for metering pressurized gas from the combustion chamber to the launch chamber for launching the non-lethal projectile.

Ammunition (100, 100) for light firearms, the ammunition (100, 100) defining a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising: a tubular casing (1, 1) containing gunpowder (2), provided with a base (3, 3) which delimits a hole (31, 3); a primer cartridge (4) which closes said hole (31, 3); at least one bullet (5) at least partially arranged in the casing (1, 1); a body (6), or base wad, made of polymeric material, defining a cavity (60), arranged in the casing (1, 1); wherein said body (6) comprises: a first part (61) having an outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the casing (1, 1); and a second part (62), spaced apart from the inner surface of the casing (1, 1), formed by a side wall (621) which extends from said first part (61), and by an upper wall (622), spaced apart from said first part (61), transverse to said side wall (621); characterized in that said side wall (621) is completely closed and comprises one or more portions (71, 72) adapted to break at the detonation of the primer cartridge (4, 4) so as to create a passageway (71a, 71b) at each of said one or more portions (71, 72); each portion (71, 72) of said one or more portions (71, 72) having a thickness, orthogonally to the longitudinal axis (X), which is less than the remaining part (7) of said side wall (621).