Ordnance

Abstract

A boomerang-shaped projectile, ammunition cartridge including the projectile, and a weapon barrel through which the projectile is fired.

1 . A projectile for a gun, said projectile comprising a boomerang-shaped body having a longitudinal axis, longitudinally opposite end portions, and an external surface having an alignment feature extending parallel to the longitudinal axis between said end portions. 
     
     
         2 . The projectile set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said alignment feature is a longitudinally extending groove. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said alignment feature is a longitudinally extending ridge. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said body is V-shaped with two lobes. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said body is cross-shaped with four lobes. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said body is bean-shaped with two lobes. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said body is delta-shaped with three lobes. 
     
     
         8 . An ammunition cartridge comprising the projectile set forth in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The ammunition cartridge set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a case carrying the projectile and having a rearward end and a forward end;   a propellant disposed in said case between said projectile and said rearward end of said case; and   a primer carried by said case between said propellant and said rearward end of said case.   
     
     
         10 . The ammunition cartridge set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising a wad disposed between said projectile and said propellant. 
     
     
         11 . A weapon barrel through which a boomerang-shaped projectile is fired, said barrel comprising an elongated hollow body having a longitudinal axis, a breech end, and a muzzle end longitudinally opposite said breech end, a bore extending through said body from said breech end to said muzzle end, and an alignment feature in at least a portion of said bore and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis between said ends for orienting said projectile. 
     
     
         12 . A handgun comprising the weapon barrel set forth in  claim 11 . 
     
     
         13 . A rifle comprising the weapon barrel set forth in  claim 11 . 
     
     
         14 . An automatic firearm comprising the weapon barrel set forth in  claim 11 .