Multiple projectile fixed cartridge

1. A multiple projectile cartridge, comprising:

a casing;

a retention insert arranged in the casing, the retention insert comprising a body having one or more sections, and defining a cavity extending longitudinally therealong; and

a plurality of projectiles arranged in an end-to-end alignment, with at least one projectile received within and supported by the retention insert;

wherein the body of the retention insert is configured to receive and support at least a first projectile of the plurality of projectiles in alignment with at least a second projectile of the plurality of projectiles, the cavity defined by the body of the retention insert being configured to support a portion of an exterior shape of the first projectile, wherein the casing is configured to align and support the second projectile of the plurality of projectiles, and wherein the retention insert is configured to restrain radial movement of the first projectile relative to the casing and the second projectile.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein a central axis of the casing, a central axis of the first projectile, and a central axis of the second projectile are collinear.

3. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the body of the retention insert comprises:

a first section and a second section with a transition area defined therebetween; and

wherein the cavity is defined along the second section of the body.

4. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises:

a neck portion configured to align and support the second projectile;

a shoulder portion arranged proximate the neck portion; and

a cylindrical body arranged proximate the shoulder portion and defining a chamber therealong.

5. The cartridge of claim 4 , wherein the retention insert comprises a body having a frustoconical section configured to engage the shoulder portion from an interior of the casing, a cylindrical portion proximate the frustoconical portion and projecting rearwardly along the chamber of the cylindrical body of the casing, and a cavity defined substantially centrally along the cylindrical portion, the cavity adapted to receive and support the first projectile within the retention insert in a position substantially longitudinally aligned with the second projectile.

6. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein:

the casing comprises a neck portion configured to receive and support the second projectile, and a shoulder portion arranged proximate the neck portion; and

wherein the retention insert comprises a cylindrical portion arranged in abutting contact with the shoulder portion of the casing and having a cavity formed therealong and configured to receive and support the first projectile in alignment with the second projectile.

7. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the casing further comprises:

a chamber configured to receive the plurality of projectiles, the retention insert, and a propellant charge;

a primer receiving portion proximate the chamber and configured to receive a primer;

a primer discharge port extending between the primer receiving portion and the chamber for transmitting energy from the primer into the chamber for igniting the propellant.

8. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the retention insert comprises a body with at least one combustion port extending forwardly therefrom configured to transmit expanding combustion gases from a propellant chemistry to a location adjacent the first and second projectiles.

9. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises an interior cavity, and the retention insert comprises at least one combustion port in communication with the interior cavity and a space between the first and second projectiles.

10. The cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the at least one combustion port comprises:

an inlet in communication with the interior cavity;

a longitudinally extending section in communication with the inlet;

an inwardly directed section in communication with the longitudinally extending section and having an exhaust opening directed toward the space between the first and second projectiles.

11. A multiple projectile cartridge, comprising:

a casing including a body defining an interior chamber, and a neck portion;

a series of projectiles arranged in an end-to-end abutting alignment with a central axis of each of the series of projectiles being substantially collinear; and

a retention insert at least partially disposed within the interior chamber of the casing, the retention insert including an insert body having one or more sections and a cavity extending longitudinally therealong,

wherein a first one of the series of projectiles is at least partially received within the cavity of the insert so that the insert at least partially supports the first projectile within the interior chamber of the casing,

wherein the neck portion of the casing engages at least a portion of an exterior surface of a second one of the series of projectiles so as to align and support the second one of the series of projectiles, and

wherein the retention insert substantially maintains the first one of the series of projectiles in a position spaced from an interior surface of the interior chamber of the body of the casing and restrains radial movement of the first projectile relative to the casing and the second one of the series of projectiles.

12. The multiple projectile cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the insert body comprises a first section and a second section with a transition area defined therebetween, and wherein the cavity of the insert body is defined along the second section of the insert body.

13. The multiple projectile cartridge of claim 12 , wherein the casing further includes a shoulder portion arranged proximate the neck portion, and wherein the retention insert comprises a body having a frustoconical section positioned so as to engage the shoulder portion, and a cylindrical portion proximate the frustoconical portion and extending rearwardly along the cylindrical body of the casing.

14. The multiple projectile cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the series of projectiles creates an increased total mass that reduces a velocity of discharge of the projectiles sufficient to provide subsonic flight thereof.

15. The multiple projectile cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the interior chamber of the casing receives a propellant charge, and the casing further comprises a primer receiving portion proximate the interior chamber and configured to receive a primer, and a primer discharge port extending between the primer receiving portion and the chamber for transmitting energy from the primer into the chamber for igniting the propellant charge.