Cartridge and bullet with controlled expansion

Abstract

A bullet or a cartridge containing a bullet having an elongated body with a forward end and an opposed rear end. The body has an intermediate cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends, and the front end of the body defines a cavity. A resilient nose element is received in the cavity. The nose element may be an elastomer, and may be a cylindrical body. The cavity may be a cylindrical bore, and the nose element may be closely encompassed within the bore. The forward end of the nose element may be flat, and may be flush with the forward end of the body.

1 . A 9 mm handgun bullet comprising:
 an elongated body;   the body having a forward end;   the body having a rear end opposite the forward end;   the body having a substantially cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends, the cylindrical portion including an outer surface having a cannelure;   the body comprising a jacket encompassing a lead alloy core;   the body defining a cavity open to the forward end;   a resilient nose element, at least a portion of which is received in the cavity, the nose element having an exposed front end; and   wherein the jacket at the forward end of the body curves radially inward over at least a portion of the lead alloy core to form a blunt forward rim that defines an opening to the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , wherein the front end of the nose element is substantially flush with the forward end of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the nose element is less than a depth of the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , wherein the nose element is an elastomer. 
     
     
         5 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , wherein the cannelure is serrated. 
     
     
         6 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , further comprising a case defining a case mouth receiving at least a portion of the body, wherein the case defines an interior volume containing gunpowder. 
     
     
         7 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity has a constant cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , wherein the cannelure facilitates bullet expansion upon impact. 
     
     
         9 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises score lines to facilitate bullet expansion upon impact. 
     
     
         10 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 1 , wherein the blunt forward rim of the jacket does not extend over any portion of the nose element. 
     
     
         11 . A 9 mm handgun bullet comprising:
 an elongated body;   the body having a forward end;   the body having a rear end opposite the forward end;   the body having a cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends;   the body comprising a jacket encompassing a lead alloy core, the body having at least one feature to facilitate bullet expansion upon impact;   the body defining a cavity open to the forward end;   a resilient nose element, at least a portion of which is received in the cavity, the nose element having an exposed front end;   wherein the jacket at the forward end of the body curves radially inward over at least a portion of the lead alloy core to form a blunt forward rim that defines an opening to the cavity without extending over any portion of the nose element; and   wherein the nose element is an elastomer having a Shore A hardness less than or equal to 80.   
     
     
         12 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 11 , wherein the front end of the nose element is substantially flush with the forward end of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 11 , wherein a length of the nose element is less than a depth of the cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one feature to facilitate bullet expansion upon impact comprises score lines. 
     
     
         15 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one feature to facilitate bullet expansion upon impact further comprises a cannelure in the jacket. 
     
     
         16 . A 9 mm handgun bullet comprising:
 an elongated body;   the body having a forward end;   the body having a rear end opposite the forward end;   the body having a cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends, the cylindrical portion including an outer surface having a cannelure;   the body comprising a jacket encompassing a lead alloy core;   the body defining a cavity open to the forward end;   a resilient nose element received in the cavity, the nose element having a front end;   wherein the jacket at the forward end of the body curves radially inward over at least a portion of the lead alloy core to form a blunt forward rim that defines an opening to the cavity;   wherein the front end of the nose element is exposed and substantially flush with the forward end of the body; and   wherein the nose element is an elastomer having a Shore A hardness less than or equal to 80.   
     
     
         17 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 16 , wherein a length of the nose element is less than a depth of the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 16 , wherein the cannelure facilitates bullet expansion upon impact. 
     
     
         19 . The 9 mm handgun bullet of  claim 16 , wherein the body comprises score lines to facilitate bullet expansion upon impact.