Firearms projectile having jacket runner

Abstract

A projectile for small munitions is provided having a bullet with an integral jacket runner formed from a resilient, shape-retaining material. The projectile comprises a bullet having a tapered front section, a cylindrical middle section and a tapered end section. The middle section includes a recessed retaining portion over which the resilient jacket runner is securely positioned or formed. The maximum diameter of the bullet is less than the primary bore diameter of the firearm barrel, and the outer diameter of the jacket runner when positioned around the bullet, is slightly greater than the primary bore diameter, whereby rifling in the barrel scores the jacket runner and not the bullet, and imparts spin to the jacket runner during firing and hence to the bullet which is integral therewith, achieving enhanced gas checking efficiency, accuracy and velocity. The integral jacket runner remains on the bullet after firing and downrange to its ultimate destination. High speed production of this projectile can be achieved due to the resiliency or elastic memory of the jacket runner.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the provisional application entitled FIREARMS PROJECTILE HAVING DRIVING BAND, Ser. No. 60 / 543,437, filed Feb. 10, 2004. This application is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates in general to small firearms projectiles, and, more particularly, small munitions projectiles having bullets with integral jacket runners. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Conventional muzzle loader bullets began with the use of a lead ball projectile, utilizing a wet cloth patch to provide the gas checking element within the barrel. This evolved into conical shaped projectile designs made of various metal configurations, utilizing wrapper or sabot devices surrounding the bullet to provide gas checking. These various sabot designs engage the bore in the depth of the lands, allowing undersized bullets to be used within...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In another embodiment, the recessed receiving portion has a leading edge and a trailing edge, with a first shoulder formed to connect the leading edge to the top portion of the middle section, and a second shoulder formed to connect the trailing edge to the bottom portion of the middle section. It is contemplated that the first and second shoulders each extend at angle of from about 800 to about 1000 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bullet for retaining the jacket runner on the bullet after firing.

[0011] In addition, a method of making a small munitions firearms projectile comprising a bullet having an integral jacket runner is provided. This method includes providing a bullet having a longitudinal axis, a front section, a cylindrical middle or shank section including a top portion and a bottom portion, and an end section, and further having a maximum diameter; providing a recessed cylindrical receiving portion intermediate the top portion and bottom portion of the middle section and having a diameter less than that of the remaining portions of the middle section; providing an elongated, ring-shaped jacket runner formed from a resilient, shape-retaining material, the jacket having an outer diameter, and an inner diameter slightly less than or equal to the diameter of the recessed receiving portion diameter; stretching the jacket runner for passing over the maximum diameter of the bullet; positioning the jacket runner over the recessed receiving portion; allowing the jacket runner to return substantially to its original size and shape, wherein the outer diameter of the jacket runner is greater than the maximum diameter of the bullet; and securing the jacket runner onto the recessed receiving portion, wherein the jacket runner is adapted to remain integral with the bullet even subsequent to firing it from a firearm.

Problems solved by technology

As the first sabots completely surrounded the bullet and thus were located between the bullet and the bore / lands, it was believed that they disadvantageously interfered with the accuracy of the fired bullet.

In addition, sabots were designed to detach from the bullet immediately upon firing and can cause bullet deflection and thereby impede the velocity and accuracy of the fired bullet.

When the sabots of these prior projectiles detach from the bullet subsequent to firing, they actually cause deflection of the bullet and negatively affect the downrange accuracy, and rotational stability of the projectile can be compromised.

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