A method for filling a container with a pyrotechnic charge using a filling system, said method including, when the powder is conveyed, a step of regulating the powder flow rate in which at least one powder conveyor device is brought to vibrate according to a vibration frequency control sequence, the vibration frequency being inversely proportional to the filling ratio of the container of the pyrotechnic charge.

The invention relates to ammunition assembly apparatus and in particular to an apparatus for the automated and progressive assembly of cartridges for firearms such as rifles, guns, revolvers and pistols. The apparatus comprises a conveyor subsystem to transport ammunition past the working stations, wherein the working stations and the conveyor subsystem are mounted to a mounting plane such that the conveyor subsystem extends linearly at least sectionwise through the ammunition assembly apparatus and the working stations are arranged rectilinearly along the assembly direction.

A capsule can include a shell that defines at least a portion of a chamber; and a mixture of an explosive and a thermally conductive material disposed in the chamber. A method can include forming a mixture of an explosive and a thermally conductive material; disposing at least a portion of the mixture in a chamber of a capsule; and at least partially sealing the chamber.

Herein described is a small caliber ammunition production loading machine with a novel measuring location and device. The machine will load one cartridge at a time and is referred to as a single-out machine (see FIG. 1). The machine will be similar in nature to existing loading machines with the following key novel aspects: a) The cartridge overall length (OAL) will be measured both as an overall dimension which is industry standard and also at a key datum location on a bullet's ogive. Measuring to a repeatable datum point on the bullet's ogive gives a more accurate representation of the cartridge's ballistic ability.

A method of supplying a rifle with cartridges includes providing classes within a group of cartridges. The classes are classified by specific and precisely graduated increments of propellant load contained in the cartridges, or by formulation of propellant, of each class relative to the cartridges of each other class. The user can test fire a rifle with multiple classes of the group and record the accuracy of the firing. A class of the group can be then chosen for a particular rifle based on accuracy of the rifle in the test firing.

A powder dispensing device is provided including a housing; a hopper sized and shaped to engage the housing to form a reservoir; a first barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via one or more first apertures and having a first internal diameter; a second barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via one or more second apertures and having a second internal diameter, wherein the first internal diameter is greater than the second internal diameter; at least one motor coupled to the first barrel and the second barrel, the at least one motor configured to rotate the first barrel and the second barrel; a scale electrically coupled to a scale plate, the scale plate disposed on the housing and below the first barrel and the second barrel; and a user interface in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the scale, the user interface configured to receive a user-input.

An automated granule portioning system includes at least one volumetric measuring chamber capable of adjusting the volume of the chamber automatically to a programmed target volume and arranged to receive a first portion of granules into the chamber to fill the target volume. A transport system automatically delivers the target volume of granules from the chamber to a weighing device. A granule metering device dispenses granules and, depending on a signal from the weighing device that the first portion of granules is below a programmed target weight, dispenses granules to the first portion to increase the weight to achieve a second portion having the target weight.

A capsule can include a shell that defines at least a portion of a chamber; and a mixture of an explosive and a thermally conductive material disposed in the chamber. A method can include forming a mixture of an explosive and a thermally conductive material; disposing at least a portion of the mixture in a chamber of a capsule; and at least partially sealing the chamber.

A gun powder transfer device includes a gun powder load chamber configured for receiving a quantity of gun powder from a powder measure; a gun powder exit aperture; and a gun powder release mechanism disposed between the gun powder load chamber and the gun powder exit aperture. The gun powder release mechanism is alterable between a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, the gun powder load chamber is isolated from the gun powder exit aperture such that none of the quantity of gun powder may be released from the gun powder load chamber. In the open state, the gun powder release mechanism provides a flow path for enabling the quantity of gun powder to be released from the load chamber and into communication with the gun powder exit aperture.

A gun powder agitator device includes an elongated shaft having a top end, a bottom end opposite the top end, and a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft; means for agitating gun powder, said means being disposed about the elongated shaft; a grip coupled to the top end, wherein the grip is configured for causing the elongated shaft to rotate about the vertical axis; and a cap disposed between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the cap is configured for coupling to a top portion of a powder measure. The means for agitating gun powder may include a paddle member projecting outward from the elongated shaft, a helically-shaped auger disposed about the elongates shaft, or a wire disposed about the elongated shaft.