Rifle cartridge with improved bullet upset and separation

Abstract

A rifle cartridge with a bullet has desirable penetration capabilities and controlled separation of components upon terminal impact. In embodiments of the invention, the bullet comprises a forward component, a lead core, and a copper jacket. The lead jacket having a leading edge portion that extends to the cylindrical mid portion. The forward component may have a forward pointed ogive portion, a cylindrical mid portion, a mid ogive portion, and a pair of cylindrical portions separated by an annular groove. The jacket having a cannelure at the annular groove and the casing upper lip crimped into the cannelure.

Claims

1. A rifle cartridge comprising a cartridge casing with a mouth and an interior, propellant in the interior of the cartridge casing, and a bullet secured in the mouth of the cartridge casing, the bullet having a length to maximum diameter aspect ratio of 3.5:1.0 or greater, the bullet comprising: a forward component made of a first material, the forward component having a forward ogival portion with a forward ogival surface, the forward ogival portion terminating forwardly at a forward tip and rearwardly at a forward cylindrical portion with a forward cylindrical surface, a mid ogival portion rearward of the forward ogival portion and joining the forward cylindrical portion, the mid ogival portion having a mid ogival surface joining the forward cylindrical surface, the mid ogival surface distinct from and having a different ogival curvature from that of the forward ogival surface, the entirety of the mid ogival portion being diametrically larger than the forward ogival portion, a mid cylindrical portion adjoining the mid ogival portion, the mid cylindrical portion having a mid cylindrical surface, and a rearward cylindrical portion distinct from and rearward of the mid cylindrical portion, the rearward cylindrical portion having a rearward cylindrical surface separated from the mid cylindrical portion by an annular recess, the forward ogival portion, the mid ogival portion, the mid cylindrical portion, and rearward cylindrical portion all unitary with one another; a jacket formed of a second material comprising copper and defining a cup, the forward component seated in the cup, the jacket having a cannelure therein extending around the jacket and positioned adjacent the annular recess; a lead core positioned rearwardly of the forward component; the casing having a forward lip positioned at the cannelure in the jacket.

2. The rifle cartridge of claim 1 wherein the forward component has a juncture between the forward cylindrical portion and the mid ogival portion, and wherein the jacket has a leading edge positioned at the juncture.

3. The rifle cartridge of claim 1 wherein the jacket has a leading edge positioned intermediate the forward ogival portion and the mid ogival portion.

4. The rifle cartridge of claim 3 wherein the lead core has at least two axially aligned portions with a separation plane therebetween.

5. The rifle cartridge of claim 1, where in the jacket has a thickness that reduces forwardly and wherein the rearward cylindrical portion has a smaller diameter than the mid cylindrical portion accommodating a thicker jacket at the rearward cylindrical portion.

6. The rifle cartridge of claim 1, wherein the annular recess between the rearward cylindrical portion and the mid cylindrical portion has a radius that extends the entire longitudinal length of the annular recess and the annular recess extends entirely circumferentially around the forward component.

7. The rifle cartridge of claim 6 wherein the recess is at least 0.025 inches deep with respect to the mid cylindrical surface.

8. The rifle cartridge of claim 1, wherein the jacket has a leading edge portion that is positioned between the forward ogival surface and the mid ogival surface of the forward component, the leading edge having a radial width of 0.007 to 0.022 inches exposed axially when viewed from the front.

9. The rifle cartridge of claim 3 wherein a leading edge portion and the cylindrical mid portion define a forward facing annular recess that facilitates opening of the jacket upon impact with a target.

10. The rifle cartridge of claim 1 wherein the casing and bullet is conformingly sized as a 300 BLK cartridge.

11. A rifle bullet having an aspect ratio of bullet length to bullet maximum diameter of at least 3.5 to 1.0, the bullet comprising: a forward unitary component formed of generally non-malleable material, the forward unitary component having a forward tapering portion with a forward tip and a rearwardly positioned annular groove; a lead core engaging the forward unitary component, the core formed of a material more malleable than the forward component, the lead core having at least two discrete core members; and a jacket that encompasses the cores and tapers conformingly around the tapering portion of the forward component, the jacket having a leading edge spaced rearwardly from the forward tip of the bullet and having a taper opposite that of the tapering portion of the forward component, thereby providing an annular concave scoop facilitating upset of the jacket upon impact with a fluidic target, the jacket further having a cannelure positioned at the rearwardly annular groove.

12. The rifle bullet of claim 11 wherein the forward tapering portion comprises two ogival portions, each ogival portion having a different ogival curvature, the two ogival portions meeting at a transition portion.

13. The rifle bullet of claim 11 wherein the forward component partially contained in a jacket, the forward component having forward cylindrical surface rearward of a forward ogival surface, a mid cylindrical surface separated from the forward cylindrical surface, a rearward cylindrical surface separated from the mid cylindrical surface.

14. The rifle bullet of claim 11, further comprising a casing and propellant, the bullet seated in a mouth of the casing with the propellant in the casing, wherein the casing and bullet is conformingly sized as a 300 BLK cartridge.

15. A rifle bullet with a forward unitary component partially contained in exteriorly exposed jacket, the forward unitary component, when viewed in cross section having a forward longitudinally extending first convex region, a longitudinal first concave region adjoining and rearward of the first convex region, a second convex region rearward of and adjoining the first concave region, a second concave region rearward of and adjoining the second convex region, and a third convex region rearward of and adjoining the second concave region, the third convex region extends to a rearward facing end surface of the forward unitary component; the jacket having a leading edge positioned at the first convex region, the leading edge exposed axially when viewed from the front, the jacket thickening rearwardly and contacting the third convex region, the second concave region, and the second convex region, the jacket having a cannelure positioned at the second concave region of the forward unitary component.

16. The rifle bullet of claim 15, wherein the bullet is seated in a mouth of a casing having propellant therein, wherein the casing and bullet are conformingly sized as a 300 BLK cartridge.

17. The rifle bullet of claim 15, wherein the the first and second convex regions each have a different ogival curvature, the first and second convex regions meeting at a cylindrical portion.

18. The rifle bullet of claim 17, wherein the jacket has a forward edge that with the forward component defines an annular scoop at the cylindrical portion.

19. The rifle bullet of claim 18 wherein the annular scoop has a radial width of 0.007 to 0.022 inches.

20. The rifle bullet of claim 15 further comprising a core positioned rearwardly of the forward unitary component in the jacket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cartridge according to embodiments of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an elevational view of another cartridge according to embodiments.

(4) FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a projectile according to embodiments.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bullet according to embodiments.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the bullet of FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bullet.

(9) FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bullet.

(10) FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bullet.

(11) FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bullet.

(12) FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a forward component according to embodiments.

(13) FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the forward component of FIG. 9.

(14) FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the forward component of FIGS. 9 and 10.

(15) FIG. 12 is an elevation view of a forward component with suitable dimensions according to embodiments.

(16) FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of a bullet according to embodiments illustrating a varying jacket thickness and forward scoop.

(17) FIG. 13B is a detailed enlarged of a forward scoop in accord with embodiments.

(18) FIG. 14 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the forward edge of the jacket engaged with the forward component.

(19) FIG. 15 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the forward edge of the jacket engaged with the forward component.

(20) FIG. 16 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the forward edge of the jacket engaged with the forward component.

(21) FIG. 17 is the SAAMI specifications for the 300 BLK cartridge.

(22) FIG. 18 is a depiction of a bullet in accord with embodiments after terminal contact with a fluidic target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(23) Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a cartridge 20 suitable for a rifle, for example a 300 BLK (also known as the 0.300 Blackout), has a bullet 22, a necked casing 24 with a mouth 25, propellant 30, and a primer assembly 34. The casing 24 has a rim 35 at a casing head 32, a reduced diameter neck portion 33, and a wall portion 36 having a diameter 36.2. Suitable overall dimensions are illustrated in the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (SAAMI) specification of FIG. 17. The inventive aspects are suitable for other cartridges than the 300 BLK. For different sized bullets and cartridges, the dimensions will vary proportionally. In embodiments, the rim diameter is the same as the wall portion diameter or may be greater. In other embodiments, there is no reduced diameter neck portion and the rim is a flange that extends outwardly from the wall portion.

(24) Referring to FIGS. 1-8D, the rifle bullet is comprised of a forward component 40, a core 42, and a jacket 44. In embodiments, the core 42 may be a single unitary core, formed of lead or other materials, or may comprise two or more stacked cores 42.1, 42.2, 42.3. The core 42 may be unitary with the jacket 44 and comprise copper or a copper alloy as illustrated in FIG. 8C. The core and jacket may be formed of copper or copper alloys. The forward component may be formed of steel or other materials such as: ETP copper, copper alloys, brass, bronze, carbides, tungsten, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, tungsten heavy alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, iron, polymers, polymer matrixes, fiber-reinforced polymers, carbon composite materials, and various ceramics

(25) In embodiments, the core is not bonded to the jacket, allowing separation therefrom. The bullet may have in embodiments an aspect ratio of length to maximum diameter of 3.5:1 (or simply 3.5) or greater. In embodiments, the bullet may have an aspect ratio of length to maximum diameter of 4.0:1.0 (or simply 4.0) or greater. The applicants have discovered that having 2 separable lead cores as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 13A, as opposed to a single lead core, the bullet has more uniform fragmentation performance in gelatin penetration tests, that is, the bullet fragments do not travel as far into or through the gelatin, 19 inches vs. 24 inches. This consistent fragmentation provides more uniform energy transfer to the target. Referring to FIGS. 8A-12, in embodiments, the forward component 40 of the rifle bullet 22 has a tip 53 and a first or forward ogival portion 54 with a forward ogival portion surface 55, a transition forward portion 56 with a transition adjoining and unitary with the forward ogival portion. The mid portion may be configured as a first or forward cylindrical portion 56 with a forward cylindrical portion surface 57. A second or mid ogival portion 60 with a mid ogival surface 62 is contiguous with the forward cylindrical portion 56 and surface 57. A second or mid cylindrical surface 66 of a first or mid cylindrical portion 68 is rearward of and contiguous with the mid ogival surface 62. The mid cylindrical surface 66 extends to an annular recess surface 70 of an annular recessed portion 72, the recessed portion may have a smooth radiussed curvature and extends longitudinally a distance of 0.04 to 0.10 inches. In embodiments the recess extends longitudinally a distance greater than 4% of the length L1 of the forward component and less than 10% the length L1. The recess can extend inwardly from the mid cylindrical portion surface 0.02 to 0.10 inches in embodiments. A third or rearward cylindrical surface 78, of a third or rearward cylindrical portion 80, adjoins the annular recessed portion 72 and extends to a rearward facing end surface 84.

(26) Referring in particular to FIG. 12, the forward ogival portion, the first or forward cylindrical portion 56, the mid ogival portion, the second or mid cylindrical portion 68, the annular recess portion 72, and the third or rearward cylindrical portion 80 all being unitary with one another. In embodiments, the diameter D2 of the second cylindrical portion 68 being greater that the diameter D1 of the first cylindrical portion 56. In embodiments, the diameter D2 of the second cylindrical portion 68 being greater than the diameter D3 of the third cylindrical portion 80. In embodiments, the diameter of the third cylindrical portion 80 being greater than the diameter D1 of the first cylindrical portion 56.

(27) The forward component 40 has an axial length L1, and the forward ogive portion extends an axial distance of L2, the cylindrical mid portion an axial distance of L3, the mid ogival portion a distance L4, the mid cylindrical portion an axial distance L5, the annular recess portion a distance L6, and the rearward cylindrical portion a distance L7.

(28) In embodiments the second or mid ogival portion begins at a longitudinal mid position of the forward component, in embodiments, within 5% of the midpoint of the total length of the forward component. In embodiments, within 8% of the midpoint of the total length of the forward component. In embodiments, the diameter of the rearwardly most cylindrical portion is within 2% of the diameter of the mid cylindrical portion. In embodiments, the diameter of the rearwardly most cylindrical portion is within 5% of the diameter of the mid cylindrical portion. In embodiments, the diameter of the rearwardly most cylindrical portion is within 1% of the diameter of the mid cylindrical portion.

(29) As best illustrated in FIG. 12, the first ogival portion may have a first radius of curvature R1 that is less that the radius of curvature R2 of the second ogival portion rearward of the first or forward ogival portion. In embodiments of the invention, each dimension of FIG. 12 may be considered an inventive aspect with reference to or compilation with other dimensions and the specific dimensions may have a range of 10% of the specific given dimensions.

(30) The forward components may be formed of steel, aluminum, and other materials as provided herein. The jacket may comprise copper and the core may comprise lead. In embodiments the core can also be copper and may be unitary with the jacket. The bullets herein may also be formed of other materials other than those specifically identified.

(31) In embodiments, the forward component is retained in the jacket forward of the lead core, the forward component having a forward ogive portion, a cylindrical mid portion adjoined to the forward ogive portion, and a rearward portion adjoined to the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the rearward portion diametrically larger than the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the cylindrical mid portion diametrically larger than the forward ogive portion,

(32) In embodiments, the diameter D1 of the forward cylindrical portion is 80 percent or greater of the diameter D2 of the maximum diameter portion which is the mid cylindrical portion of the forward component. In embodiments, the diameter of the forward cylindrical portion is 85 percent or greater of the diameter of the maximum diameter portion and less than 92% of the diameter of the maximum diameter portion.

(33) In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the maximum diameter of the forward component is in the range of 3.0 to 3.6. In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the diameter of the forward component is in the range of 2.9 to 4.0. In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the diameter of the forward component is in the range of 3.2 to 3.5.

(34) In embodiments, the mid cylindrical portion rather than being cylindrical, may have a slight taper forwardly of, for example, 2 degrees or less, as measured from a line parallel to the axis. In embodiments the mid cylindrical portion may be conical with a taper of 5 degrees or less, as measured from a line parallel to the axis. Such conical mid portions may be substituted for all embodiments described or claimed herein.

(35) Referring to FIGS. 1-8D, the jacket may have scores or skives 88 extending axially on the forward portion 90 of the jacket. The skives may be cuts extending partially or completely through the jacket, folds in the jacket, indentations in the jacket, or other weakening of the jacket axially to facilitate tearing and opening of the jacket. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,805,057 and 6,305,292 illustrate such skives and these patents are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The jacket may further be crimped inwardly or otherwise deformed into the annular recess as illustrated providing a cannelure 94. This will effectively maintain the bullet within the jacket until terminal impact and further provides an anchor location, the cannelure, to which the top edge 96 of the casing may be crimped to secure the bullet into the casing. In embodiments, the reduced diameter of the rearward cylindrical portion provides an enhanced transition of the jacket portion rearward of the cannelure into the cannelure. Additionally, as best shown in FIG. 13A, the jacket thickness may increase in a rearward direction so that the reduced diameter of the rearward cylindrical portion can compensate for the increasing thickness of the jacket and thereby maintain more uniform obturating contact with the barrel when the bullet is fired.

(36) Referring to FIGS. 1, 8A-8D, and 13A-16, the jackets for the bullets have leading edge portions 101 with a leading edge 102. The outward corner of the jacket defines the leading edge, the juncture of the exterior surface 105 of the jacket and the beveled or tapered surface 106 that may be a frustoconical and/or concave surface. This surface faces inwardly and forwardly with respect to the bullet axis a. The leading edge provides a sharp pointed circular blade as the edge. The surfaces 105, 106 defining the edge may be at an angle A1 of less than 60. The surfaces defining the edge may be at an angle of less than 70. The surfaces defining the edge may be at an acute angle. An annular recess 112 is defined between the bevel surface 106 of the leading edge portion and the exterior surface 113 of the forward component. The recess may be V-shaped in cross-section, faces forward and defining a circumferential scoop 115. The scoop is exposed axially, when viewed from the front of the bullet, the scoop is a ring. In embodiments, one leg of the V is directly in line with the axis a of the bullets as well as the trajectory path of the bullet. The V-shaped recess promotes upsetting of the jacket when the bullet impacts fluidic material which then urges the jacket to open, essentially by hydraulic force. The opened jacket can release the forward component and also the cores behind it maximizing the transfer of kinetic energy to the target and increasing the damage imparted to the target. The leading edge may be positioned such that the forward end 116 of the interior surface 117 of the jacket 44 is positioned at or about at the juncture 120 between the forward cylindrical portion surface 57 and the mid ogival portion surface 62 as illustrated in FIG. 14. That is, the jacket contact terminates at or about the juncture between the mid ogival portion surface and the forward cylindrical portion surface 57. FIG. 15 illustrates the termination of the jacket contact on the mid ogival portion surface. FIG. 16 illustrates the termination of the jacket contact as being on the forward cylindrical portion surface 57.

(37) As best illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the width W1 of the forward scoop measured radially on a plane perpendicular to the bullet axis a may be substantially the jacket thickness or slightly less at the forward edge applicable to, for example, a 300 BLK embodiment. In embodiments the radially measured scoop width W1 is 0.007 to 0.022 inches. In embodiments the radially measured scoop width W1 is 0.006 to 0.035 inches. In embodiments the radially measured scoop width W1 is 0.0085 to 0.0150 inches. For different sized bullets and cartridges, the dimensions will vary proportionally.

(38) Referring to FIG. 18, the bullet 40 after terminal impact in a fluidic target is depicted. The jacket 44 more readily peels from the forward component 40 of the bullet than conventional ammunition, and the dual core 41.1, 41.2, particularly when it is a lead core, more readily separates from the jacket, providing four or more separated components. In many cases the lead core and jacket will further fragment into additional pieces.

(39) The following U.S. patents and publications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

(40) U.S. Pat. No. 9,863,746

(41) U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,333

(42) U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,057

(43) U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,657

(44) U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,743

(45) U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,898

(46) All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

(47) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(48) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. With respect to the dimensions herein, invention extends to any combinations of the given dimensions and such dimensions are hereby defined to include 10% of the given dimension. In embodiments, the given dimensions are hereby defined to include the range of dimensions of 20% of the specified dimensions.

(49) Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.