Projectile with radial grooves

Abstract

A small-scale fragmenting projectile capable of remaining intact when contacting a soft target but fragmenting when contacting a hard target. The projectile is made of a hard material and includes a cylindrical body, a head and an end, the cylindrical body having a plurality of grooves extending radially into and substantially around the circumference of the cylindrical body. The grooves are sized and shaped to avoid projectile fragmentation on impact with a soft target but to fragment when impacting a hard target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 : A small-scale fragmenting projectile comprising:
 a tapered head;   an end; and   a cylindrical body joining the tapered head to the end,   wherein the cylindrical body includes a plurality of grooves extending radially into and substantially around the circumference of the cylindrical body   
     
     
         2 : The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the projectile is fabricated of hardened steel. 
     
     
         3 : The projectile of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of grooves is of a squared shape. 
     
     
         4 : The projectile of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of grooves is of a U-shape. 
     
     
         5 : The projectile of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of grooves is of a V-shape. 
     
     
         6 : The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of grooves are spaced from each other sufficiently so that lands formed there between are wide enough to ensure the projectile can be fired from a conventional firearm. 
     
     
         7 : The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the projectile is coated or jacketed sufficient to protect a bore of a barrel of a firearm.