Firearm projectile with bonded rear core

Abstract

The present invention is a controlled expansion projectile (20) having a bonded rear core and includes a metal jacket (22), a dense core (24), and a tip (26). Metal jacket (22) includes a nose portion (28), a middle portion (30), and a heel portion (32). Nose portion (28) includes a front cavity (34) and heel portion (32) includes a rear cavity (36) defined by sidewalls (40), an open end (42), and heel (44). Dense core (24) is typically formed from lead but may be formed from lead compounds or other heavy metals. Dense core (24) may be enclosed in rear cavity (36) using a closure disc (48) joined with heel (44) to seal open end (42). Dense core (24) is joined with sidewalls (40) thereby forming a bond (52). Bond (52) may be a metallurgical bond (54), a mechanical bond (56), or an adhesive bond (58). Tip (26) is at least partially inserted in front cavity (34). Sidewalls (40) of rear cavity (36) are softened during either a metallurgical bonding process or other processes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to firearm projectiles. In particular, the present invention is directed to a firearm projectile with a bonded rear core. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Firearm projectiles used for hunting are generally small caliber, i.e., less than 0.50 caliber. They generally have a hollow point or soft metal nose portion to increase expansion of the projectile upon impact with animal tissue in order to achieve increased energy adsorption within the target animal's body. Many hunting projectiles, specifically lead-tipped or hollow point projectiles have a significant drawback for use in hunting applications in that they tend to upset and expand greatly, even to the point of fragmentation, within a short penetration distance and are thus not suitable for deep penetration. This is particularly true where the projectile hits a bone during passage into the animal. Hunters ofte...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Still another aspect of the present invention is a controlled expansion projectile, which includes a unitary metal jacket including nose, middle, and heel portions. The nose portion includes a front cavity and the heel portion includes a rear cavity having sidewalls. The nose and heel portions are joined to one another via the middle portion. A dense core is contained within the rear cavity. The controlled expansion projectile also includes means for bonding the dense core to the sidewalls and means for increasing a ballistic coefficient of the projectile.

Problems solved by technology

Many hunting projectiles, specifically lead-tipped or hollow point projectiles have a significant drawback for use in hunting applications in that they tend to upset and expand greatly, even to the point of fragmentation, within a short penetration distance and are thus not suitable for deep penetration.

As a result, the projectile often strikes bone.

However, the dense core of this projectile is not bonded to the sidewalls of the rear cavity.

As a result, this projectile has been found to break apart when it hits heavy bones at or near muzzle velocity.

When the projectile breaks apart, the dense core is separated from the jacket of the projectile thereby undermining its overall performance.

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