WO1999018408A1

WO1999018408A1 - Multi-purpose ammunition

Info

Publication number: WO1999018408A1
Application number: PCT/CA1998/000876
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Bourque
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-10-03
Filing date: 1998-09-16
Publication date: 1999-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2000-04-03
Also published as: AU9148798A; CA2213980A1

Abstract

A multi-purpose ammunition which can be used for firing a reduced weight, same caliber projectile (41) from a large caliber firearm. The multi-purpose ammunition for a firearm has a predetermined caliber, and includes a casing (11) having an open forward portion (13) and a closed rearward portion (15), the casing having a length and an internal diameter, the closed, rearward portion being provided with primer means (17). The ammunition also includes an insert (21) having a length and a longitudinal bore (23), the insert having a forward end (25) and a rearward end (27), both of which are inwardly tapered. The insert has an outer diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the casing and an internal diameter smaller that the outer diameter. A predetermined amount of gunpowder (31) is placed within the longitudinal bore; and a projectile is seated at the open forward portion of the casing. The projectile has a caliber that is identical to the caliber of said firearm, and has a weight that is less than a weight of standard projectile for the caliber of the firearm. The purpose of the invention is to fire a large caliber projectile in a large caliber firearm, but where the amount of gunpowder and the weight of the projectile is reduced compared to that of a regular large-caliber ammunition, so that the performance of the multi-purpose ammunition according to the invention is reduced to the performance of a small caliber ammunition.

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE AMMUNITION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to multi-purpose ammunition, and more particularly to an improved cartridge permitting the firing of a reduced performance projectile in a large caliber firearm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Large caliber firearms are often used for hunting purposes and military purposes, among others. These firearms typically use an ammunition comprising a casing having a rearward closed end and a forward open end. The rearward closed end is provided with a primer. The casing is further provided with a projectile at its forward open end and gunpowder is located within the casing.

Large caliber firearms, when used for hunting purposes, are mostly used to shoot large game, such as moose, bear, etc. The projectile is quite heavy, and the amount of gunpowder present ejects the projectile with considerable force and speed. Hunters sometimes become lost or stay in the hunting ground for extended periods of time. Should a large game hunter become lost, it will be very difficult to subsist on meat, since a large caliber projectile will usually destroy all of the edible meat in small game, such as wild rabbits, partridge, etc.

Another related problem associated with large caliber firearms is that when used for indoor target practice, the noise generated by the firing of the firearm is considerable.

Furthermore, in the case of high-power large caliber firearms, the projectile can sometimes pierce the end wall of the indoor shooting range, or cause considerable damage thereof with repeated shooting.

In order to partially obviate the two disadvantages mentioned above, it has been proposed to provide a cartridge for a firearm, which can, in a large caliber firearm, shoot a smaller caliber projectile. However, in order to be able to do this, the cartridge must be provided with some sort of retaining means to hold the cartridge in place and to avoid having the projectile impact on the sidewalls of the barrel of the firearm. One such arrangement is described in U.S. patent no. 587,857 to RABBETH. Reference is also made to Fig. 9, labelled PRIOR ART. Reference may also be made to the following U.S. patents which disclose cartridges for use with large caliber firearms but where the projectile is of a smaller caliber: 3,437,040; 3,640,013; 4,631,093 and 4,702,170.

However, such an arrangement is problematic in that cost of manufacture is high, accuracy is low, and the resulting product is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-purpose ammunition which can be used for firing a reduced weight, same caliber projectile from a large caliber firearm. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a multi-purpose ammunition for a firearm having a predetermined caliber, comprising: a casing having an open forward portion and a closed rearward portion, said casing further having a length and an internal diameter, said closed, rearward portion being provided with primer means; an insert having a length and a longitudinal bore therethrough, said insert having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end and said rearward end being inwardly tapered, said insert having an outer diameter substantially equal to said internal diameter of said casing and an internal diameter smaller that said outer diameter; a predetermined amount of gunpowder placed within said longitudinal bore; a projectile seated at said open forward portion of said casing; wherein said projectile has a caliber that is identical to said caliber of said firearm, and said projectile has a weight that is less than a weight of a standard projectile for said predetermined caliber firearm.

It should be noted that the purpose of the invention is to fire a large caliber projectile in a large caliber firearm, but where the amount of gunpowder is reduced compared to that of a regular large-caliber ammunition, so that the performance of the multi-purpose ammunition according to the invention is reduced to the performance of a small caliber ammunition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a casing; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an insert according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the insert inserted in the casing, prior to the first tapering step;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the insert and the cartridge after the first tapering step;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the insert and the cartridge after the second tapering step;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-purpose ammunition according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7a is a cross-sectional view of a casing having a insert, the insert being inserted with a dowel;

Fig. 7b is a cross-sectional view of a casing and a dowel, without the insert; Fig. 7c is a cross-sectional view of a dowel for use in manufacturing the multipurpose ammunition; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a regular large-caliber ammunition inserted into the chamber of a barrel of a firearm according to the prior art;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an arrangement to fire a small caliber ammunition in a large caliber firearm according to the prior art; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-purpose ammunition according to the invention inserted into a chamber of a barrel. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 6 shows a multi-purpose ammunition according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. It should be noted at the outset that the purpose of the invention is not to fire a small caliber projectile in a large caliber firearm. Rather, the purpose of the invention is to fire a large caliber projectile in a large caliber firearm, but where the weight of the projectile is reduced, and the amount of gunpowder is reduced compared to that of a regular large-caliber ammunition, so that the performance of the multipurpose ammunition is reduced to the performance of a small-caliber ammunition. The multi-purpose ammunition 10 comprises a casing 11 having an open forward portion 13 and a closed rearward portion 15. The casing has a given length and an internal diameter. The rearward portion 15 is provided with primer means 17.

The multi-purpose ammunition also comprises an insert 21 , preferably made of polyethylene, or any other material of similar hardness which will not burn or otherwise be damaged when the gunpowder explodes. The insert 21 has a given length and a longitudinal bore 23. The insert also has a forward end 25 and a rearward end 27. Both the forward end 25 and the rearward end 27 are inwardly tapered, as better shown on Fig. 2. The insert has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the casing 11 and an internal diameter smaller than the outer diameter, the internal diameter being defined by the longitudinal bore 23. Preferably, and for reasons which will become clear further on, the body of the insert is slightly tapered inwardly from the rearward end to the forward end.

A predetermined amount of gunpowder 31 is placed within the longitudinal bore 23 of the insert 21. The survival ammunition finally includes a projectile 41 which is seated at the open forward portion 13 of the casing 11.

As mentioned above, the purpose of the invention is to fire a same-caliber projectile for a given caliber firearm. Therefore, the projectile has a caliber equal to the caliber of the firearm for which it is to be used. However, the weight of the projectile 41 is less than a standard projectile for the firearm.

The invention is preferably directed to, but not limited to, ammunition for large caliber firearms such as .22; .24; .25; .26; .27; .28; .30; .32; .33; .35; and .37 calibers. Most of these large caliber firearms use a bottle-necked casing, as the one shown on Figs. 5 and 6. Accordingly, the method for making such an ammunition according to the invention is as follows. A straight- wall casing 11 is first provided. The insert 21 is inserted into the casing 11 with a dowel 100 (better shown on Fig. 7(c)). The dowel has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the longitudinal bore of the insert. The purpose of the dowel is to maintain the positioning of the insert and prevent the insert from being deformed during the following steps.

Once the insert is positioned inside the casing, the casing is slightly inwardly tapered, to espouse the slight inwardly tapering of the insert, as better shown on Fig. 4.

The forward end of the casing is then further tapered, as shown in Fig. 5, to provide the casing with a true bottle-neck shape. It should be noted that both tapering operations can be done simultaneously or separately. As shown in Fig. 5, the forward portion of the casing is further provided with a flange 12, in order to prevent projectile shaving while the same is inserted into the forward portion of the casing. A predetermined amount of gunpowder is placed into the longitudinal bore of the insert, the projectile is seated at the open forward portion of the casing and crimped into place. The flange 12 disappears during the crimping operation.

Finally, a primer 17 and a small amount of fast burning powder are placed at the rear portion of the casing. Preferably, the primer is a hot magnum primer.

Accordingly, the invention provides for a survival ammunition enabling a user to fire a reduced performance, same caliber projectile in a given caliber firearm.

Essentially, the invention is a version of a regular, high-powered ammunition reduced to essentially a .22 caliber rim-fire level. The invention is particularly useful for a hunter hunting large game. Hunters sometimes become lost or stay in the hunting ground for extended periods of time. Should this happen and the hunter not have any food, the hunter will be unable to shoot small game, since large caliber ammunition will usually destroy all of the edible meat in small game. A hunter equipped with multi-purpose ammunition will be able to subsist on small game, since the performance of the multi-purpose ammunition is reduced, thereby enabling a hunter to shoot small game with a large caliber firearm without destroying all of the edible meat thereon Furthermore, reduced performance also means reduced noise, which will not spook or disturb large game in a given hunting area

Another considerable advantage to the multi-purpose ammunition according to the invention is that it provides for year-round practice possibilities, even indoors, since the multi-purpose ammunition, being reduced in performance, makes less noise and will not damage the end-walls of shooting ranges, as large-caliber, high-power ammunition does

It should of course be noted that since the performance of the ammunition is reduced, the point of impact will be slightly different when using the metallic scope or sights of the firearm. It is suggested that users using the multi-purpose ammunition according to the invention pratice shooting the multi-purpose ammunition at 25 yards, and memorize the point of impact for future reference and compensate accordingly

An example, for illustration purposes, of the performance and characteristics of a multi-purpose ammunition according to the invention follows A 30-06 caliber ammunition has a standard projectile weighing between 100 and 250 grains A 165 grain projectile will have an initial velocity of approximately 2900 feet per second A multipurpose ammunition according to the invention for this caliber will have a weight between 55 and 60 grains, and an initial velocity of approximately 900 feet per second Comparatively, a .22 caliber rim-fire projectile has a weight of 40 grains and an initial velocity of approximately 1200 feet per second This example shows that the multipurpose ammunition according to the invention is reduced to approximately the performance of a 22 caliber rim-fire ammunition

It should be further understood that all dimensions are dependent on the caliber of the firearm, but that the weight of the projectile for use with a multi-purpose ammunition will always be in the general range of 40 to 75 grains

Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

A multi-purpose ammunition (10) for a firearm having a predetermined caliber, comprising a) a casing (11) with an open forward portion (13) and a closed rearward (15) portion, said casing (11) having a given length and an internal diameter, said closed, rearward portion (15) being provided with primer means (17), b) an insert (21) having a given length and a longitudinal bore (23) therethrough, said insert (21) having a forward end (25) and a rearward end (27), said forward end (25) and said rearward end (27) being inwardly tapered, said insert (21) having an outer diameter substantially equal to said internal diameter of said casing (11) and an internal diameter smaller that said outer diameter, c) a predetermined amount of gunpowder (31) placed within said longitudinal bore (23), d) a projectile (41) seated at said open forward portion (13) of said casing (11), characterized in that e) said projectile (41) has a caliber that is identical to said caliber of said firearm, and said projectile (41) has a weight that is less than a weight of a standard projectile for said predetermined caliber firearm

A multi-purpose ammunition (10) according to claim 1, wherein said insert (21) is made of a low density polyethelene

A multi-purpose ammunition (10) according to claim 2, wherein said longitudinal bore (23) of said insert (21) is outwardly flared at said forward end (25) of said insert (21)

A multi-purpose ammunition (10) according to claim 3, wherein said projectile (41) has a weight in the range of 40 to 75 grains

A multi-purpose ammunition (10) according to claim 1, wherein said insert (21) is made of a material having a sufficient hardness and which will not burn or be damaged when the gunpowder (31) explodes A method for assembling a multi-purpose ammunition (10) comprising the steps of a) providing a casing (11) with an open forward portion (13) and a closed rearward portion (15), said casing (11) having a given length and an internal diameter, b) inserting an insert (21) in said casing with a peg-shaped dowel (100), said insert (21) having a given length and a longitudinal bore (23) therethrough, said insert (21) having a forward end (23) and a rearward end (25), said forward end (23) and said rearward end (25) being inwardly tapered, said insert (21) having a body slightly inwardly tapered from said rearward end (25) to said forward end (23), c) inwardly tapering said casing (11) to espouse the shape of said body of said insert (21), and further inwardly tapering said open forward portion (13) of said casing (11) to provide a bottle-neck casing, d) removing said dowel (100), e) inserting a primer (17) at said rearward end (15) of said casing (11), f) inserting gunpowder (31) in said longitudinal bore (23) of said insert (21), and g) inserting a projectile (41) at said open forward end (13) of said casing (11), so that said projectile (41) is seated on said forward end (25) of said insert (21), said projectile (41) having a caliber identical to said caliber of said firearm, and said projectile (41) having a weight that is less than a weight of a standard projectile for said predetermined caliber firearm