Firearm projectile with bonded rear core

Abstract

The present invention is a controlled expansion projectile (20) having a bonded rear core and includes a metal jacket (22), a dense core (24), and a tip (26). Metal jacket (22) includes a nose portion (28), a middle portion (30), and a heel portion (32). Nose portion (28) includes a front cavity (34) and heel portion (32) includes a rear cavity (36) defined by sidewalls (40), an open end (42), and heel (44). Dense core (24) is typically formed from lead but may be formed from lead compounds or other heavy metals. Dense core (24) may be enclosed in rear cavity (36) using a closure disc (48) joined with heel (44) to seal open end (42). Dense core (24) is joined with sidewalls (40) thereby forming a bond (52). Bond (52) may be a metallurgical bond (54), a mechanical bond (56), or an adhesive bond (58). Tip (26) is at least partially inserted in front cavity (34). Sidewalls (40) of rear cavity (36) are softened during either a metallurgical bonding process or other processes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.