High velocity ammunition system and firearm

Abstract

A round of high velocity ammunition contained within a modified chamber of a conventional firearm has a cartridge case, a sabot mounted within the forward-end of the case and a carrying projectile matching the caliber of the firearm for engaging rifling in the firearm bore, and a quantity of a propellant charge sufficient to impart a muzzle velocity in excess of 25,000 (ft. / sec.) to the projectile. The cartridge case and the projectile cooperate with a rearwardly facing abutment surface of the chamber to confine the sabot which has an forwardly facing bearing surface coaxially surrounding a portion of the projectile and in abutting engagement with the abutment surface. When the round is fired substantially instantaneous dynamic forces generated by the gases of explosion propel the projectile from the chamber into and through the bore while simultaneously comprising the sabot to a fracture point. The fragmented sabot is entrained in the gases of explosion and escapes from the firearm through the muzzle end of the barrel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates by reference essential subject matter disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 574,246, filed May 25, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates in general to high velocity firearms and associated high velocity ammunition and deals more specifically with improvements in hand guns, particularly revolvers and high velocity ammunition for such firearms. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Bottleneck ammunition is well known in the firearm art and is usually used in rifles, particularly those of bolt-action type, and other long guns. A typical bottleneck ammunition cartridge includes an axially elongated cartridge case which has a cylindrical forward end portion within which a projectile or bullet is supported, a generally cylindrical rear end portion which has a base and a major diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the forward end por...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a firearm for use with a round of high velocity ammunition also embodying the invention and having a projectile matching the caliber of the firearm bore and for engaging rifling in the bore. The projectile is carried by a sabot mounted within a diametrically enlarged cartridge case containing a propellant charge capable of propelling the projectile from the firearm at a high muzzle velocity. Further, and in accordance with the invention, the firearm has a chamber configured and dimensioned to cooperate with the cartridge case and the p...

Problems solved by technology

When the firearm is discharged, dynamic forces generated by the substantially instantaneous expansion of the gases of explosion compress and fragmentize the sabot.

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