A high pressure obturator for a breech loaded, tube-launched projectile includes a generally annular ring having a central longitudinal axis and a radially inward portion. A flange portion is disposed radially outward of and partially contiguous with the radially inward portion. The flange portion extends axially forward and aft beyond the radially inward portion. The outer diameter of the flange portion decreases linearly from an aft most outer diameter to a forward most outer diameter. The obturator may be formed of a plastic material and include circumferential wraps of a high-strength fiber completely embedded in grooves in the obturator.

A high pressure obturator for a breech loaded, tube-launched projectile includes a generally annular ring having a central longitudinal axis and a radially inward portion. A flange portion is disposed radially outward of and partially contiguous with the radially inward portion. The flange portion extends axially forward and aft beyond the radially inward portion. The outer diameter of the flange portion decreases linearly from an aft most outer diameter to a forward most outer diameter. The obturator may be formed of a plastic material and include circumferential wraps of a high-strength fiber completely embedded in grooves in the obturator.

A cartridge includes a bullet on which there is formed a coating. At least an upper layer of the coating is porous and comprises a thermoset polymer and a filler. The filler may be a dry film lubricant. The cartridge may be used in a gun of the type that has a rifled barrel. A rifled barrel has a bore diameter and a groove diameter. The bullet may have a metal diameter that is less than the groove diameter but slightly greater than the bore diameter. The coated bullet may have a diameter that is greater than or equal to the groove diameter. When fired, the bullet produces less barrel friction and heating than a conventional bullet. The velocity of the coated bullets is greater and the velocity distribution is more narrow compared to uncoated bullets.

A cartridge includes a bullet on which there is formed a coating. At least an upper layer of the coating is porous and comprises a thermoset polymer and a filler. The filler may be a dry film lubricant. The cartridge may be used in a gun of the type that has a rifled barrel. A rifled barrel has a bore diameter and a groove diameter. The bullet may have a metal diameter that is less than the groove diameter but slightly greater than the bore diameter. The coated bullet may have a diameter that is greater than or equal to the groove diameter. When fired, the bullet produces less barrel friction and heating than a conventional bullet. The velocity of the coated bullets is greater and the velocity distribution is more narrow compared to uncoated bullets.

Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.

Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.

The invention relates to a cartridge having a projectile, and a case which is mounted on the projectile from behind and which has a case mouth at the front end, wherein the projectile has a tip, and at the rear this tip merges into a circumferential front guide band which defines the outside diameter of the projectile, and directly adjoining this front guide band in the direction of the projectile base, a circumferential case mouth receiving space which extends in the axial direction of the projectile and in which the case mouth engages is situated in the projectile. In order to reduce the twistless freebore to a minimum and build up the gas pressure early during firing, it is proposed that an exposed portion of the case mouth receiving space extending in the axial direction of the projectile is situated between the front guide band and the case mouth; i.e., the case mouth does not completely fill the case mouth receiving space in the direction of the nose of the projectile.

A lightweight projectile having an integrated driving band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile for engaging the filing 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.

A lightweight projectile having an integrated driving band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile for engaging the filing 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.

Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.