Cartridge ammunition

Abstract

A cartridge ammunition includes a cartridge case having a front and a rear; a projectile inserted into the cartridge case at its front and extending into the cartridge case; an igniter provided in the rear of the cartridge case; and a propellant charge accommodated in the cartridge case. The propellant charge is formed of a compacted bulk propellant powder having a density of between 0.9 and 1.2 g/cm 3 .

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Cartridge ammunition comprising 
 (a) a cartridge case having a front and a rear;    (b) a projectile inserted into said cartridge case at said front thereof; said projectile extending into said cartridge case;    (c) an igniter provided in said cartridge case at said rear thereof; and    (d) a propellant charge accommodated in said cartridge case; said propellant charge being formed of a compacted bulk propellant powder having a density of between 0.9 and 1.2 g/cm 3 .    
     
     
         2 . The cartridge ammunition as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said propellant charge is a second propellant charge extending from the front of said cartridge case rearwardly; further comprising a first propellant charge extending from the rear of said cartridge case forwardly; and further wherein said first propellant charge is formed of stacked propellant powder.  
     
     
         3 . The cartridge ammunition as defined in    claim 2   , wherein said stacked propellant powder has a packing density of ≧1.2 g/cm 3 .  
     
     
         4 . The cartridge ammunition as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said propellant charge is a second propellant charge extending from the front of said cartridge case rearwardly; further comprising a first propellant charge extending from the rear of said cartridge case forwardly; further wherein said first propellant charge is formed of a compacted bulk propellant powder having a density of between 0.9 and 1.2 g/cm 2 .  
     
     
         5 . The cartridge ammunition as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said propellant charge is a second propellant charge extending from the front of said cartridge case rearwardly; further comprising a first propellant charge extending from the rear of said cartridge case forwardly and a third propellant charge disposed in said cartridge case between said first and second propellant charges.  
     
     
         6 . The cartridge ammunition as defined in    claim 5   , wherein said third propellant charge is formed of propellant powder rods.  
     
     
         7 . The cartridge ammunition as defined in    claim 5   , wherein said third propellant charge is formed at least in part of a compacted bulk propellant powder having a density of between 0.9 and 1.2 g/cm 3 .