Shotgun shell with slug

Abstract

A firearm shell has a hull with a hull chamber and a rear end containing a primer. A hull side wall extends forward from the rear end to a front end. A powder charge is contained within the hull at the rear end. A sabot is positioned forward of the powder charge, and has a base and forwardly extending side portions defining a cup. A projectile has a forward end and a rear end received in the cup. A cushion is provided in the hull, rearward of the bullet. The cushion may be an elastomer such as silicone, and may be positioned immediately behind the bullet, forward of the base of the sabot.

1 . A firearm ammunition component comprising: 
 a hull defining a hull chamber;    the hull having a rear end containing a primer, and a hull side wall extending forward from the rear end to a front end;    a powder charge within the hull at the rear end;    a sabot forward of the powder charge;    the sabot having a base and forwardly extending side portions defining a cup;    a projectile having a forward end and a rear end received in the cup;    a compressible cushion element received between the base of the sabot and the rear of the projectile.    
   
   
       2 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 1  wherein the cushion is a flat disc.  
   
   
       3 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 1  wherein the cushion is an elastomer.  
   
   
       4 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 1  wherein the cushion is formed of silicone.  
   
   
       5 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 1  wherein the cushion has a hardness of greater than 40 on the Shore-A scale.  
   
   
       6 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 1  wherein the cushion has a hardness of less than 65 on the Shore-A scale.  
   
   
       7 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 1  wherein the cushion has a hardness in the range of 40 to 65 on the Shore-A scale.  
   
   
       8 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 1  wherein the sabot includes a driver element in the base, wherein the driver element is formed of a first material and the sabot is formed of a second material, and wherein the first material is more rigid than the second material.  
   
   
       9 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 8  wherein the driver is a planar element having a width greater than the diameter of the projectile.  
   
   
       10 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 8  wherein the driver is a disc having peripheral radiused edges.  
   
   
       11 . A firearm ammunition component comprising: 
 a hull defining a hull chamber;    the hull having a rear end, and a hull side wall extending forward from the rear end to a front end;    a powder charge within the hull at the rear end;    a sabot forward of the powder charge;    the sabot having a base and forwardly extending side portions defining a cup;    a projectile received in the cup; and    an elastomeric cushion element in the hull, rearward of the projectile.    
   
   
       12 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 11  wherein the cushion is formed of silicone.  
   
   
       13 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 11  wherein the cushion has a hardness of greater than 40 on the Shore-A scale.  
   
   
       14 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 11  wherein the cushion has a hardness of less than 65 on the Shore-A scale.  
   
   
       15 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 11  wherein the cushion has a hardness in the range of 40 to 65 on the Shore-A scale.  
   
   
       16 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 11  wherein the cushion and projectile have diameters sized to be closely received in the cup.  
   
   
       17 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 11  wherein the cushion is peripherally constrained by a portion of the sabot.  
   
   
       18 . A firearm ammunition component comprising: 
 a projectile;    a sabot having a base and a plurality of petals extending forward from the base to define a cup;    a compressible cushion received in the cup adjacent to the base; and    the projectile being received within the cup with the rear end of the projectile against the cushion.    
   
   
       19 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 18  wherein the cushion includes an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       20 . The firearm ammunition component of  claim 18  wherein the cushion has a hardness in the range of 40 to 65 on the Shore-A scale.