Small-arms ammunition with non-brass casing and non-lead projectile

Abstract

A small arms ammunition round comprises a non-brass casing comprising stainless steel and a non-lead projectile housed within the casing, the non-lead projectile comprising a matrix of at least one epoxy, at least one non-epoxy polymer, and copper. The casing includes a stainless steel shell housing and an aluminum (or stainless steel) primer housing which are press-fit together. The projectile has a tapered nose with spiral flutes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A small arms ammunition round, comprising:
 a non-brass casing comprising stainless steel; and   a non-lead projectile housed within the casing, the non-lead projectile comprising a matrix of at least one epoxy, at least one non-epoxy polymer, and copper.   
     
     
         2 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the non-lead projectile comprises copper particles. 
     
     
         3 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the matrix projectile comprises pure copper. 
     
     
         4 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the matrix projectile comprises tungsten. 
     
     
         5 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the matrix projectile comprises a copper alloy. 
     
     
         6 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the matrix projectile comprises a blend of copper and tungsten. 
     
     
         7 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the casing comprises a stainless steel shell housing and an aluminum primer housing press-fit together. 
     
     
         8 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the casing comprises a stainless steel shell housing and an chrome moly steel primer housing press-fit together. 
     
     
         9 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the projectile has a tapered nose with spiral flutes. 
     
     
         10 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the copper/polymer matrix comprises a matrix of at least one epoxy, at least one metal, and at least one non-epoxy polymer. 
     
     
         11 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the casing comprises a first portion and a primer portion press-fit together. 
     
     
         12 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the casing comprises a 416 stainless steel alloy. 
     
     
         13 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least a primer portion of the casing comprises a 416 stainless steel alloy. 
     
     
         14 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the projectile comprises hBN (hexagonal Boron Nitride) powder. 
     
     
         15 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the hBN powder is incorporated into the projectile by a shot vibration/shot peening process. 
     
     
         16 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one non-epoxy polymer comprises nylon. 
     
     
         17 . A small arms ammunition round, comprising:
 a multi-piece, non-brass casing; and   a non-lead projectile housed within the casing.   
     
     
         18 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the non-brass casing comprises a stainless steel casing. 
     
     
         19 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the non-brass casing comprises an aluminum casing. 
     
     
         20 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the aluminum casing comprises an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         21 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the aluminum alloy casing comprises 7075 aluminum. 
     
     
         22 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the aluminum alloy casing comprises 7078 aluminum. 
     
     
         23 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the aluminum casing comprises substantially pure aluminum. 
     
     
         24 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the non-lead projectile comprises a metal/polymer matrix. 
     
     
         25 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the metal/polymer matrix comprises a matrix of at least one epoxy, at least one metal, and at least one non-epoxy polymer. 
     
     
         26 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the metal/polymer matrix comprises a matrix comprising epoxy and copper. 
     
     
         27 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the projectile has a tapered nose with spiral flutes. 
     
     
         28 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the projectile has a smooth tapered nose. 
     
     
         29 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the at least one non-epoxy polymer comprises nylon. 
     
     
         31 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 17  wherein at least a portion of the casing comprises a 416 stainless steel alloy. 
     
     
         32 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 17  wherein at least a primer portion of the casing comprises a 416 stainless steel alloy. 
     
     
         33 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the projectile comprises hBN (hexagonal Boron Nitride) powder. 
     
     
         34 . A small arms ammunition round as claimed in  claim 34  wherein the hBN powder is incorporated into the projectile by a shot vibration/shot peening process.