Expanding bullets

Abstract

An expanding bullet has a core having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall therebetween. A tip is positioned at the distal end of the core, and has a generally conical distal section, and a generally cylindrical proximal section defining a proximally facing shoulder at their juncture. A jacket having a generally cylindrical proximal portion surrounding at least a portion of the core adjacent its proximal end, and a distal portion that tapers to an open end, the distal portion surrounding the distal portion of the core and the proximal section of the tip, with the distal end of the jacking abutting the shoulder on the tip to form a smooth tapering ogival surface with the tip. The maximum diameter of the tip preferably comprises a substantial portion (preferably at least about 65%) of the diameter of the bullet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expanding rifle bullet, comprising:
 a core having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall therebetween;   a tip having a generally conical distal section, and a generally cylindrical proximal section defining a proximally facing shoulder at their juncture;   a jacket having a generally cylindrical proximal portion surrounding at least a portion of the core adjacent its proximal end, and a distal portion that tapers to an open end, the distal portion surrounding the distal portion of the core, and the proximal section of the tip, with the distal end of the jacking abutting the shoulder on the tip to form a smooth tapering ogival surface with the tip, the maximum diameter of the tip is at least about 65% of the diameter of the bullet, the bullet weighing between about 85 grains and about 185 grains.   
     
     
         2 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the bullet weighs between about 95 grains and about 150 grains. 
     
     
         3 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the maximum diameter of the tip is at least about 67% of the diameter of the bullet. 
     
     
         4 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the maximum cross-sectional area of the tip is at least about 45% of the cross-sectional area of the bullet. 
     
     
         5 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the maximum cross-sectional area of the tip is at least about 50% of the cross-sectional area of the bullet. 
     
     
         6 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the exposed length of the tip comprises at least about 40% of the length of the ogive. 
     
     
         7 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 6  wherein the exposed length of the tip comprises at least about 42% of the length of the ogive. 
     
     
         8 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the exposed length of the tip comprises at least about 20% of the length of the bullet. 
     
     
         9 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 8  wherein the exposed length of the tip comprises at least about 25% of the length of the bullet. 
     
     
         10 . The expanding bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the core is made of a malleable metal or metal alloy. 
     
     
         11 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 10  wherein the core is made of lead of a lead alloy. 
     
     
         12 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the jacket is made of a harder material than the core. 
     
     
         13 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 12  wherein the jacket is made of copper or copper alloy. 
     
     
         14 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the jacket is made of copper or copper alloy. 
     
     
         15 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the tip is made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the outside diameter of the jacket at the distal end of the core is substantially same as the inside diameter of the jacket at the cylindrical section. 
     
     
         17 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the tip abuts the distal end of the core. 
     
     
         18 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 1  wherein the thickness of the jacket tapers from the proximal end of the distal section to the distal end of the jacket. 
     
     
         19 . An expanding rifle bullet, comprising:
 a malleable metallic core having a proximal end, a distal end, and a generally cylindrical sidewall therebetween;   a tip having a generally conical distal section, and a generally cylindrical proximal section defining a proximally facing shoulder at their juncture;   a jacket having a generally cylindrical proximal portion surrounding at least a portion of the core adjacent its proximal end, and a distal portion that tapers to an open end, the distal portion surrounding the distal portion of the core, and the proximal section of the tip, with the distal end of the jacking abutting the shoulder on the tip to form a smooth tapering ogival surface with the tip, the area of the open distal end of the jacket comprising at least 45% of the area of cross sectional area of the proximal section of the jacket, the bullet having a weight of between about 85 grains and 185 grains.   
     
     
         20 . The expanding rifle bullet according to  claim 19  wherein the bullet has a weight of between about 95 grains and about 150 grains.