Jacketed frangible bullets

Abstract

A frangible bullet for use in training ranges as an alternative to live ammunition, which disintegrates upon impact with a target. The frangible bullet includes an elongated frangible core member fabricated from a thermoplastic polymer and at least one metal, the core member having a back end, an opposite tip end and a central portion therebetween, and having a core length between the back end and the tip end. The core member is jacketed in an outer jacket having a closed first end and an opposite opened second end, having a jacket length between the first end and second end, and defining a jacket chamber for complementarily receiving the core member therein. The core member fits inside the outer jacket such that the tip end of the frangible core member is exposed and impacts the target first, resulting in fragmentation of the core member and the outer jacket.

What I claim is:  
     
         1 . A frangible bullet, comprising: 
 a. an elongated frangible core member comprising a thermoplastic polymer and at least one metal, having a back end, an opposite tip end and a central portion therebetween, and having a core length between the back end and the tip end; and    b. an outer jacket having a closed first end and an opposite opened second end, having a jacket length between the first end and second end, and defining a jacket chamber for complementarily receiving the core member therein,    wherein the back end of the core member is contained within the outer jacket adjacent the first end thereof, and wherein the core length is greater than the jacket length.    
     
     
         2 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the metal of the core member is in powder form.  
     
     
         3 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the metal of the core member is in particulate form.  
     
     
         4 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the metal of the core member comprises a heavy metal.  
     
     
         5 . The frangible bullet of    claim 4   , wherein the core member comprises two different heavy metals.  
     
     
         6 . The frangible bullet of    claim 5   , wherein the heavy metals are copper and tungsten.  
     
     
         7 . The frangible bullet of    claim 4   , wherein the metal of the core member comprises zinc.  
     
     
         8 . The frangible bullet of    claim 4   , wherein the metal of the core member comprises copper.  
     
     
         9 . The frangible bullet of    claim 4   , wherein the metal of the core member comprises tungsten.  
     
     
         10 . The frangible bullet of    claim 4   , wherein the metal of the core member comprises tin.  
     
     
         11 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the outer jacket is constructed of copper.  
     
     
         12 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the outer jacket further comprises a jacket exterior surface extending between the first end and the second end, the exterior surface being coated with a lubricant.  
     
     
         13 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyamid.  
     
     
         14 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyurethane.  
     
     
         15 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyester.  
     
     
         16 . The frangible bullet of    claim 13   , wherein the polyamid comprises Type 6 Nylon.  
     
     
         17 . The frangible bullet of    claim 13   , wherein the polyamid comprises Type 11 Nylon.  
     
     
         18 . The frangible bullet of    claim 1   , wherein the core member comprises Type 6 Nylon, copper powder and tungsten powder.  
     
     
         19 . The frangible bullet of    claim 18   , wherein the core member has a specific gravity greater than 5.4.  
     
     
         20 . The frangible bullet of    claim 18   , wherein the core member has a specific gravity substantially equal to 6.0.  
     
     
         21 . A frangible munitions cartridge, comprising: 
 a. a cartridge case having a base end with a primer disposed therein and an opposite opened mouth end, the cartridge case defining a chamber between the two ends and containing a charge therein;    b. a frangible bullet mounted within the opening defined by the mouth end of the cartridge case, the frangible bullet comprising: an elongated frangible core member comprising a thermoplastic polymer and at least one metal, having a back end, an opposite tip end and a central portion therebetween, and having a core length between the back end and the tip end; and an outer jacket having a closed first end and an opposite opened second end, having a jacket length between the first end and second end, and defining a jacket chamber for complementarily receiving the core member therein, wherein the back end of the core member is contained within the outer jacket adjacent the first end thereof, and wherein the core length is greater than the jacket length.    
     
     
         22 . A method of forming a frangible bullet, comprising: 
 a. providing an elongated frangible core member comprising a thermoplastic polymer and at least one metal, having a back end, an opposite tip end and a central portion therebetween, and having a core length between the back end and the tip end;    b. providing an outer jacket having a closed first end and an opposite opened second end, having a jacket length between the first end and second end, and defining a jacket chamber for complementarily receiving the core member therein;    c. inserting the core member into the jacket chamber so that the back end of the core member is adjacent the first end of the outer jacket; and    d. crimping the outer jacket adjacent the second end to fixedly secure the core member within the outer jacket.