Reinforced core bullet

Abstract

A jacketed bullet has a core of a dense metal or metal alloy, an inner jacket at least partially surrounding and bonded to the core; and an outer jacket at least partially surrounding the inner jacket and core.

1 . A jacketed bullet comprising:
 a core of a dense metal or metal alloy;   an inner jacket at least partially surrounding and bonded to the material of the core; and   an outer jacket at least partially surrounding the inner jacket and core.   
     
     
         2 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the inner jacket has a thickness of between about 0.005 inches and 0.02 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the outer jacket is thicker than the inner jacket. 
     
     
         4 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the bond between the material of the core and in the inner jacket is formed by at least partially melting a pre-formed core in a pre-formed inner jacket. 
     
     
         5 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the inner jacket and the outer jacket have longitudinally extending lines of weakness that can separate on impact to form petals. 
     
     
         6 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 5  wherein the lines of weakness in the inner jacket and the outer jacket are aligned, so that the petals formed by the jackets on impact are generally aligned. 
     
     
         7 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 5  wherein the lines of weakness are formed by areas of thinness in the inner and outer jackets. 
     
     
         8 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 5  wherein the lines of weakness are formed by cuts through the inner and outer jackets. 
     
     
         9 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the outer jacket does not upset upon impact in 20% ballistic gelatin at an initial velocity of 1200 fps or less. 
     
     
         10 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the bullet retains at least 99% mass when fired at an initial velocity of 1800 fps or less at 20% ballistic gelatin. 
     
     
         11 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  further comprising a mechanical engagement between the inner jacket and the outer jacket. 
     
     
         12 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 11  wherein the mechanical engagement between the inner jacket results from a shoulder pre-formed in at least one of the outer jacket and the inner jacket. 
     
     
         13 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 12  wherein the mechanical engagement between the inner jacket and the outer jacket results form a shoulder pre-formed in the outer jacket, and a corresponding deformation in the inner jacket. 
     
     
         14 . An improved jacketed bullet of the type comprising a core of a dense metal or metal alloy, and a jacket bonded to the material of the core, the improvement comprising a second jacket disposed over the core and the bonded jacket. 
     
     
         15 . A jacketed bullet comprising:
 a core of a dense metal or metal alloy;   an inner jacket at least partially surrounding and bonded to the material of the core, the inner jacket having generally longitudinally extending lines of weakness therein so that the inner jacket forms petals upon impact; and   an outer jacket at least partially surrounding the inner jacket and core, the outer jacket being thicker than the inner jacket, and having lines of weakness therein so that the outer jacket forms petals upon impact.   
     
     
         16 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the bond between the material of the core and in the inner jacket is formed by casting the core in a pre-formed inner jacket. 
     
     
         20 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the bond between the material of the core and the inner jacket is formed by a bonding agent. 
     
     
         21 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the inner jacket is made of copper or a copper alloy. 
     
     
         22 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 21  wherein the outer jacket is made of copper or a copper alloy. 
     
     
         23 . The jacketed bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the bullet has a generally cylindrical rearward portion, and a tapering forward portion, and wherein the portion of the outer jacket over the tapering forward portion had a generally constant thickness, and the portion of the outer jacket over the generally cylindrical rearward portion tapers in thickness toward the rearward end of the bullet.