Rifle and Handgun Cartridge

Abstract

A rifle or handgun cartridge is formed to have an overall length of about 2.260 inches, or 57.4 millimeters. The shell case has a case length between 1.550 inches and 1.650 inches and a neck forming a mouth for a standard .224 caliber bullet. The shoulder adjoining the neck widens from the neck to a diameter of between 0.400 inches to 0.415 inches, and preferably 0.4059 inches. The adjoining shell body forms the main powder chamber for receiving an explosive charge. A head adjoins the shell body and forms a base of the shell case. The head has a primer pocket formed therein communicating with the main powder chamber through a vent hole formed between the primer pocket and the main powder chamber.

1 . A rifle or handgun cartridge, comprising:
 a shell case having a case length between 1.550 inches and 1.650 inches and having a neck forming a mouth for a standard .224 inch diameter bullet;   a shoulder adjoining said neck and widening from said neck to a diameter of between 0.390 inches to 0.420 inches;   a shell body adjoining said shoulder and having an interior forming a main powder chamber for receiving an explosive charge;   a head adjoining said shell body and forming a base of said shell case, said head having a primer pocket formed therein communicating with said main powder chamber through a vent hole formed between said primer pocket and said main powder chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein said shoulder is formed by a conical wall enclosing an angle of 25 to 45 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge according to  claim 2 , wherein said conical wall encloses an angle of approx. 28 to 35 degrees with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein said shoulder walls enclose an angle of substantially 60° with one another. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge according to  claim 4 , wherein said shoulder walls merge towards an imaginary apex lying on the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and the imaginary apex lies within said neck. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein said shell case has a case length of between 1.580 and 1.620 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein said shell case has a case length of 1.600 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein said shoulder widens to a widest diameter of 0.4059 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein said neck has a diameter of substantially 0.2575 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein said neck has a diameter of substantially 0.276 inches.