Break-away gas check for muzzle-loading firearms

Abstract

A gas check member, for use in muzzle-loading firearms, frictionally attaches rearward of a sub-caliber bullet to maximize the efficiency of such firearms. The diameter of the gas check preferably exceeds that of the bore slightly to prevent scoring and deformation of the bullet during loading, to hold the projectile in place within the barrel and to prevent moisture from contacting the powder when in place. Upon firing, the gas check minimizes the escape of propellant gases around the projectile and imparts a large, uniformly distributed forward thrust to the bullet to maximize the ballistic qualities of the shot. The gas check preferably incorporates an unstable connection between inner and outer members of the gas check that fractures, at about the time the bullet exits the barrel, to facilitate quick and reliable detachment of the outer member from the bullet. The outer member may also be adapted, preferably by scoring or other weakening of selected regions of the outer member, to itself fracture into multiple pieces, further optimizing detachment or release of a substantial portion of the gas check from the bullet. A more consistent and complete detachment or release helps prevent interference of the gas check with the trajectory of the bullet upon exit from the barrel.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10 / 259,374, filed Sep. 27, 2002, issuing on Jul. 20, 2004 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,765, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference, and claims priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 325,530, filed Sep. 27, 2001, entitled “Break Away Gas-Check for Muzzle Loading Firearms”.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates, in general, to the use of muzzle-loading firearms. More specifically, this invention relates to the design and manufacture of projectiles to be used in such firearms. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] To function most effectively, muzzle-loading firearms preferably involve the use of a bullet in conjunction with some type of wad or gas check member. Throughout the history of such firearms, various configurations that embrace this design principle have been utilized. The wad or gas check is used to secure th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention provides a gas check member for use in muzzle-loading firearms. The gas check member is designed to participate in the loading and firing process such that the loading of such firearms is simple, fast, and effective.

[0014] Upon firing, the gas check member prevents rapidly expanding gases, produced by the ignition of the powder, from escaping around the bullet. These gases impart the necessary forward thrust to the projectile; therefore, minimizing the escape of these gases is beneficial to efficient discharge of the bullet from the barrel of the firearm. The gas check member is designed to corral these propellant gases and transmit a distributed force to the projectile that ejects the bullet from the barrel. A substantial portion of the invented gas check detaches from the bullet upon firing to avoid inhibiting the trajectory of the bullet after its exit from the barrel.

Problems solved by technology

In this manner, the bullet was frictionally secured in place over the powder charge and engaged with the rifling of the bore, but was often malformed when being so placed.

Significant reductions in the efficiency of such firearms often result from destructive interactions between the bullet and bore.

When wrappers are used to surround the bullet, the positioning of the wrapper between the bullet and bore may affect the ballistic qualities of the shot.

However, in cases wherein the gas check member does not detach from the bullet, the velocity and accuracy of the shot may be significantly reduced.

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