Injection molded projectile

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of making a metal injection molded ammunition cartridge comprising the steps of: providing an ammunition cartridge mold comprising a bottom portion having a primer recess extending into the bottom portion adapted to receive a primer, a flash hole positioned in the primer recess through the bottom surface; side walls extending from the bottom portion to a nose end aperture, wherein a propellant chamber is formed between the nose end aperture and the bottom surface; injecting a metal composition into the ammunition cartridge mold to form a metal injection molded ammunition cartridge; and removing the metal injection molded ammunition cartridge from the ammunition cartridge mold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A projectile for use in an ammunition cartridge, comprising:
 an inner core having a nose extending to a base;   an outer core at least partially surrounding the inner core, the outer core having a forward end tapering inwardly to a longitudinal centerline defined through the nose to form an ogive region; and   a jacket fully enclosing the outer core and having a forwardly extending inward taper substantially matching the ogive region of the outer core.   
     
     
         13 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the nose is pointed. 
     
     
         14 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the nose is rounded. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the forwardly extending inward taper of the jacket defines an outer nose end. 
     
     
         16 . The projectile of  claim 15 , wherein the outer nose end is pointed. 
     
     
         17 . The projectile of  claim 15 , wherein the outer nose end is rounded. 
     
     
         18 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the inner core further comprises at least one spiral ridge formed on an outer surface of the inner core. 
     
     
         19 . The projectile of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one spiral ridge extends from the nose to the base. 
     
     
         20 . The projectile of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of spiral ridges. 
     
     
         21 . The projectile of  claim 20 , wherein each of the plurality of spiral ridges at least partially extends from the nose to the base. 
     
     
         22 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the inner core further comprises at least one longitudinal fin formed on an outer surface of the inner core. 
     
     
         23 . The projectile of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of longitudinal fins formed on the outer surface. 
     
     
         24 . The projectile of  claim 23 , wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal fins extends at least partially from the nose to the base. 
     
     
         25 . The projectile of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one longitudinal fin extends from the nose to the base. 
     
     
         26 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the inner core is composed of a material denser than a material forming the jacket. 
     
     
         27 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the inner core comprises a plurality of pellets compressed together to form a shaft. 
     
     
         28 . The projectile of  claim 27 , wherein the inner core is tapered from the base toward the nose. 
     
     
         29 . The projectile of  claim 27 , wherein each of the plurality of pellets is composed of a material denser than a material the jacket. 
     
     
         30 . The projectile of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one spiral groove defined in an outer surface of the inner core. 
     
     
         31 . The projectile of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one spiral groove extends from the nose to the base.