Multiple projectile ammunition

Abstract

A casing has a projectile receiving end portion and a primer receiving end portion. A plurality of projectiles is positioned in a stacked configuration within the casing at the projectile receiving end portion. A propellant receiving space is defined within the casing between an innermost one of the projectiles and the primer receiving end portion of the casing. The innermost one of the projectiles has a gas check body attached thereto at an end face thereof exposed to the propellant receiving space of the casing. A first cannulure is positioned between the gas check body and the primer receiving end portion of the casing for defining a protrusion for limiting displacement of the gas check body toward the primer receiving end portion of the casing. A second cannulure is positioned within the projectile receiving end portion of the casing for forming a protrusion that engages an outermost one of the projectiles.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]The disclosures made herein relate generally to ammunition for firearms and, more particularly, to firearm ammunition having a plurality of stacked projectiles.BACKGROUND[0002]The .38 Special +P / HP (i.e., enhanced pressure hollow point) cartridge is known to be one of the most popular self-defense rounds of ammunition. However, this round of ammunition is also known to not be well suited for handguns with relatively short barrels (e.g., 2″-3″ barrels). This is a result of the relatively short barrel length typically not generating sufficient velocity to ensure reliable bullet expansion (i.e., obturation). In addition, the high recoil force associated with this round can hinder accurate shooting and / or cause discomfort in the hand of some shooter's. This presents a problem for some shooters with limited hand strength or manual dexterity issues who have a desire to employ an effective self-defense cartridge using a controllable and comfortable firearm plat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Embodiments of the present invention overcome certain shortcomings of conventional cartridges and fulfill previously unmet commercial cartridge offerings. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a cartridge including a plurality of stacked projectiles. Advantageously, this cartridge is configured in a manner whereby the projectiles reliably separate and tumble upon entering a target (e.g., tissue of a person). The underlying benefit is that, for a short-barreled handgun, a cartridge configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention provides similar energy transfer and physiological effect to a fully expanded HP bullet but at a lower velocity and felt recoil.

Problems solved by technology

However, this round of ammunition is also known to not be well suited for handguns with relatively short barrels (e.g., 2″-3″ barrels).

This is a result of the relatively short barrel length typically not generating sufficient velocity to ensure reliable bullet expansion (i.e., obturation).

In addition, the high recoil force associated with this round can hinder accurate shooting and / or cause discomfort in the hand of some shooter's.

This presents a problem for some shooters with limited hand strength or manual dexterity issues who have a desire to employ an effective self-defense cartridge using a controllable and comfortable firearm platform.

Furthermore, there are limited offerings of self-defense cartridges for short-barreled handguns.

More specifically, there currently are no commercially produced non-frangible cartridges designed specifically for point blank or close range engagement.

This void in commercially available non-frangible cartridges includes non-frangible cartridges that offer rapid and complete bullet expansion at the low velocities inherent in standard pressure loads when fired from short-barreled handguns.

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