Lead-free firearm bullets and cartridges including same

• US 5,535,678 A
• Filed: 04/27/1995
• Issued: 07/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scandia Enterprises Co.
• Original Assignee: Ken Elliot, Robert E. Petersen, Thomas Siatos
• Inventors: Brown, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUDOR, HAROLD JAY
• Application Number:
  US08/430,690
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 102/430, 102/439, 102/398, 102/501, 102/506-510, 102/514-518, 102/529, 420/577
• US Class Current: 102/439
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 12/00 Alloys based on antimony or bismuth
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/74 of the core or solid body

Abstract

A firearm bullet, at least a major portion of which is formed of a one-piece element having a continuous all-metal structure primarily made up of bismuth or a bismuth alloy.

Claims

1. A projectile comprising a non-toxic lead-free firearm bullet to be fired individually from a cartridge, said bullet being primarily made up of bismuth, said bullet being of a size in a range of from about 0.22 caliber to about 10 gauge, at least a principal portion of said bullet being a one-piece element having a continuous all-metal structure formed of bismuth alloy, said alloy being at least 70% by weight bismuth.

2. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said one-piece element contains at least about 80% by weight or more bismuth.

3. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said one-piece element contains at least about 90% by weight or more bismuth.

4. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said one-piece element contains at least about 95% by weight or more bismuth.

5. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said one-piece element contains at least about 98% by weight or more bismuth.

6. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said one-piece element contains at least about 99% by weight or more bismuth.

7. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said one-piece element comprises at least about 50% by weight of said bullet.

8. The projectile of claim 7, wherein said one-piece element is a bullet core, which bullet core is surrounded by a metal jacket.

9. The projectile of claim 8, wherein said bullet core comprises at least about 75% by weight of said bullet.

10. The projectile of claim 9, wherein said one-piece jacket contains copper.

11. The projectile of claim 8, further including a second one-piece element having a continuous all-metal structure primarily made up of bismuth alloy, the second one-piece element being a second bullet core which is surrounded by said metal jacket.

12. The projectile of claim 11, wherein the first and second one-piece elements comprise at least about 75% by weight of said bullet.

13. The projectile of claim 11, wherein said one-piece jacket contains copper.

14. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said bullet is made up substantially entirely of said one-piece element having a continuous structure.

15. A projectile comprising a non-toxic lead-free firearm bullet, at least a principal portion of said bullet being formed of a one-piece element having a continuous all-metal structure primarily made up of "Bismuth" alloy, said one-piece element (is) being formed by casting, spin molding, dropping or punching, said bullet being of a size in the range of from about 0.22 caliber to about 10 gauge, said one-piece element being at least 70% by weight bismuth.

16. A firearm cartridge comprising:

a) a casing;

b) a propellant contained within said casing;

c) means for igniting said propellant; and

d) a single firearm bullet to be fired individually from the cartridge, said bullet being non-toxic, lead-free and primarily made up of bismuth, said bullet being of a size in a range of from about 0.22 caliber to about 10 gauge, at least a principal portion of said bullet being a one-piece element having a continuous all-metal structure formed of bismuth alloy, said alloy being at least 70% by weight bismuth.

17. The firearm cartridge of claim 16, wherein the bismuth-containing element comprises at least 75% by weight of said bullet.

18. A projectile comprising a non-toxic lead-free firearm bullet to be fired individually from a cartridge, said bullet being primarily made up of bismuth, said bullet being of a size in a range of from about 0.22 caliber to about 10 gauge, at least a principal portion of said bullet being a one-piece element having a continuous all-metal structure containing bismuth, said one-piece element being at least 70% by weight bismuth.

19. The projectile of claim 18, wherein said one-piece element comprises at least 75% by weight of said bullet.

20. A firearm cartridge comprising:

a) a casing;

b) a propellant contained within said casing;

c) means for igniting said propellant; and

d) a single firearm bullet to be fired individually from the cartridge, said bullet being non-toxic, lead-free and primarily made up of bismuth, said bullet being of a size in a range of from about 0.22 caliber to about 10 gauge, at least a principal portion of said bullet being a one-piece element having a continuous all-metal structure containing bismuth, said one-piece element being at least 70% by weight bismuth.

21. The firearm cartridge of claim 20, wherein said one-piece element comprises at least 75% by weight of said bullet.