Automatic/semi-automatic rifle assembly for large caliber belted cartridges

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide modifications to the AR-15/AR-10/M16 platform operating system such that the platform now is competent to fire belted or non-belted cartridges, including but not limited to: .300 Winchester; belted Winchester Magnum cartridges selected from the group consisting of the 264 Win Mag, 7 mm Win Mag, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag, and the 458 Win Mag; 240 Weatherby; 7 mm Remington Mag; 7 mm Ultra Mag; 300 Ultra Mag; 338 Ultra Mag; 338 Edge; 338 Lapua; 458 Lott; 375 H & H; and the 300 H & H. The embodiments of the present disclosure allow longer range and greater barrier penetration without substantially altering the characteristic features and component inter-relationships of the AR15/AR 10/M16 platform.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A firearm assembly for use in the AR-10/AR-15/M16 platform, competent to receive, engage, and fire large caliber belted cartridges, comprising:
 a) a gas operating system;   b) an upper receiver assembly configured for receiving magazine-fed ammunition and ejecting spent cartridge casings through an ejection port;   c) a detachable lower receiver assembly that engages the upper receiver assembly and being configured to have an ammunition magazine attached thereto for supplying ammunition from the ammunition magazine to the upper receiver assembly;   d) a buffer tube having a bore with a forwardly facing opening;   e) a bolt carrier assembly operative with said buffer tube during firearm operation;   f) a firing pin assembly comprising a firing pin and a firing pin spring;   g) a bolt assembly having a fluted anterior end, a channel for receiving the firing tip of said firing pin, and comprising a bolt extractor having a groove competent to engage the rim of a belted cartridge;   h) a charging handle that engages the upper receiver;   i) a barrel chamber comprising a counter bore at its posterior end competent to receive and seat a belted cartridge, and   j) a double stack capacity magazine composed of a non-metal material, competent to fit into a magazine well in said lower receiver assembly and having an inner radius in the range of 16 to 20 inches.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  competent to tolerate pressures in the range of at least 60,000 psi during operation. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  competent to tolerate pressures in the range of at least 64,000 psi during operation. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  having an overall increased length in the range of about 0.90-1.5 inches when compared to the overall length of an AR-10 assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm assembly of  claim 4  wherein the increased length is in the range of about 0.95-1.3 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the bolt extractor groove has a radius in the range of about 0.260-0.270 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the bolt in said bolt assembly has a bolt face at its fluted end with a diameter in the range of about 0.530-0.540 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the firing pin shaft has an overall increased length in the range of about 1.5-1.85 inches when compared with the shaft of an AR-10 firing pin. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the charging handle shaft has an overall increased length in the range of about 1.5-1.85 inches when compared with the shaft of an AR-10 charging handle. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the counter bore depth is in the range of 0.0905 to 0.0965 inches, and a diameter in the range of 0.530 to 0.535 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the buffer is a carbine buffer. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein said magazine comprises a body having a width in the range of about 1.00 to 1.50 inches, a height in the range of about 2.0 to 8.0 inches and an internal radius in the range of about 16 to 20 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the bolt carrier has an overall increased length in the range of 0.9-1.5 inches when compared with an AR-10 bolt carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein said firearm assembly is competent to receive, engage, and fire a large caliber belted cartridge. 
     
     
         15 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein said firearm assembly is competent to receive, engage, and fire a Winchester Magnum cartridge. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm assembly of  claim 14  wherein said firearm assembly is competent to receive, engage, and fire a belted cartridge selected from the group consisting of: 264 Win Mag, 7 mm Win Mag, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag, 458 Win Mag. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1  wherein said firearm assembly is competent to receive, engage, and fire a belted cartridge selected from the group consisting of: 240 Weatherby, 7 mm Remington Mag, 7 mm Ultra Mag, 300 Ultra Mag, 338 Edge, 338 Lapua, 458 Lott, 375 H&H and 300 H&H.