Long range jacketed projectile

Abstract

A long range jacketed projectile has a cavity defined in the base end of the projectile core that is substantially filled with polymer material during the jacketing process. The cavity is configured to lighten the core, which lightens the overall weight of the projectile, and move the center of gravity closer to the center of pressure when compared to a conventional long range projectile. The polymer jacket lightens the projectile weight, which when combined with the lighter core, allows the projectile to attain a flatter trajectory at increased maximum velocities.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A long range projectile for use in an ammunition cartridge, the projectile comprising:
 a core body;   a recessed cavity defined in the core body; and   a polymer jacket enclosing the core body.   
     
     
         22 . The projectile of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer jacket further comprises a protrusion. 
     
     
         23 . The projectile of  claim 22 , wherein the protrusion engages the recessed cavity. 
     
     
         24 . The projectile of  claim 22 , wherein the protrusion completely fills the recessed cavity. 
     
     
         25 . The projectile of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer jacket fully encloses the core body and fills the recessed cavity. 
     
     
         26 . The projectile of  claim 21 , wherein a forward end of the recessed cavity tapers toward a center axis. 
     
     
         27 . The projectile of  claim 26 , wherein the recessed cavity is concentrically aligned with the center axis. 
     
     
         28 . The projectile of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer jacket forms a projectile nose. 
     
     
         29 . The projectile of  claim 28 , wherein the projectile nose comprises a hollow point. 
     
     
         30 . The projectile of  claim 28 , wherein the projectile nose comprises a pointed tip. 
     
     
         31 . The projectile of  claim 28 , wherein the projectile nose terminates in a planar surface that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the projectile. 
     
     
         32 . The projectile of  claim 21 , defining a caliber comprising an overall weight that is less than a weight of a conventional bullet in the caliber. 
     
     
         33 . The projectile of  claim 32 , wherein the caliber is determined by a maximum outer diameter formed by the polymer jacket. 
     
     
         34 . The projectile of  claim 21 , wherein the core body comprises a lead core. 
     
     
         35 . The projectile of  claim 34 , wherein the lead core comprises a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         36 . The projectile of  claim 21 , wherein the core body comprises one or more metal powders compressed into shape. 
     
     
         37 . The projectile of  claim 36 , wherein the one or more metal powders comprises a tungsten powder homogenously mixed with a tin powder. 
     
     
         38 . The projectile of  claim 37 , wherein the tungsten powder comprises substantially 85% total weight of the core body and the tin powder comprises substantially 15% the total weight. 
     
     
         39 . A method for forming a long range projectile comprising the steps of:
 compressing one or more metal powders into a core body;   forming a recessed cavity in the core body; and   molding a polymer jacket to enclose the core body.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising proofing an outer diameter of the long range projectile by pressing the projectile through a proofing die to remove excess polymer material and set an outer diameter required by a caliber for which the projectile is equal.