Hybrid projectile

Abstract

A hybrid projectile includes a metallic core with an ogive that tapers into the nose and a rearward end defining the base. A wheel base portion of the core connects the ogive to the base. A polymer jacket encloses the wheel base portion to define an outer diameter that is substantially equal to an outer diameter required for a given caliber of bullet.

1 . A hybrid projectile, comprising:
 a solid metal core having an ogive tapering inward to form a nose, a rearward end defining a closed base, and a wheel base portion connecting the ogive to the closed base, wherein the solid metal core defines a length from the nose to the closed base that is substantially equal to a standard length for a first caliber of bullet; and   a polymer jacket enclosing the wheel base portion, wherein the polymer jacket defines an outer diameter that is equal to a standard outer diameter for a second caliber of bullet that is larger than the first caliber of bullet.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the core further comprises an annular undercut defined at a proximal end of the ogive and extending into the wheel base portion. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer jacket engages the annular undercut to enclose the wheel base portion. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile of  claim 2 , wherein a forward end of the polymer jacket extends past the annular undercut to engage the ogive. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 4 , wherein the forward end of the polymer jacket smoothly transitions into the ogive. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claim 2 , wherein the annular undercut extends to the rearward end. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile of  claim 6 , wherein the rearward end forms a boattail. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile of  claim 7 , wherein the polymer jacket extends to the rearward end. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile of  claim 8 , wherein a proximal end of the polymer jacket tapers into a distal end of the boattail. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer jacket smoothly transitions into the boattail. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the rearward end comprises a boattail. 
     
     
         12 . The projectile of  claim 11 , wherein the polymer jacket forms a distal end of the boattail. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the polymer jacket smoothly transitions into the boattail. 
     
     
         14 . The projectile of  claim 11 , wherein the core further comprises an annular undercut defined at a proximal end of the ogive and extending to the boattail. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile of  claim 14 , wherein the polymer jacket encloses the annular undercut from the proximal end of the ogive to the boattail. 
     
     
         16 . A method for manufacturing a hybrid projectile, comprising:
 machining a solid metal core to form an ogive region tapering into a nose, a rearward end tapering into a boattail forming a closed base, and a wheel base portion connecting the ogive to the boattail, wherein the solid metal core defines a length from the nose to the closed base that is substantially equal to a standard length for a first caliber of bullet; and   molding a polymer jacket to enclose the wheel base portion, wherein the polymer jacket defines an outer diameter substantially equal to a standard outer diameter for a second caliber of bullet that is larger than the first caliber of bullet given caliber.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, after the machining step, undercutting annularly the wheel base portion of the metallic core from a distal end of the boattail to a proximal end of the ogive region. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the polymer jacket is molded to smoothly transition from the ogive region into the polymer jacket and from the polymer jacket into the boattail. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the machining step comprises machining a first-caliber metallic core having external dimensions substantially equal to a standard first caliber bullet. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, prior to molding the polymer jacket, texturing the wheel base portion of the solid metal core.