(57) A cartridge has a one-piece reusable plastic casing that fits over a metal or plastic
end cap and holds a bullet. The bullet end of the casing is provided with a ring or
a plurality of rings or with a pronounced radially inward taper to engage corresponding
surfaces on the boffet so that the bullet may snap into the casing. The bullet end
of the casing is radially expansible to allow release of the bullet upon detonation
of the powder in the cartridge. The plastic casing is provided with an end cap sealing
flange generally being an axially thin, radially inwardly extending flange which fits
snugly against the end cap of the cartridge. The flange is thick enough to withstand
the high gas pressures upon firing of the powder, but is thin and flexible enough
to elastically deform to produce a tight elastic seal against escape of the high-pressure
gases around the end cap. The seal may be achieved, also with a thick, rigid flange
and a compressible gasket.
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