Vented hollow point projectile

1. A projectile for use in a firearm ammunition cartridge, the projectile comprising:

a core;

a monolithic jacket in which the core is disposed, the jacket having a closed rearward end and an open forward end, the forward end tapering inwardly toward a longitudinal centerline of the jacket to define an ogive portion of the projectile, and extending past a closed forward end of the core to form an open space inside the jacket between the closed forward end of the core and the forward end of the jacket; and

a plurality of ventilation ports defined through the jacket proximate the forward end of the jacket, each of the ventilation ports having a first opening on an inner surface of the jacket defining the open space connected to a second opening on an outer surface of the jacket by a bore defined through the jacket.

2. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ventilation ports are spaced equidistantly from one another about the longitudinal centerline of the jacket.

3. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the ventilation ports each have a longitudinal axis that angles back from the longitudinal centerline of the jacket.

4. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the first openings of the ventilation ports are formed adjacent the forward end of the core.

5. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the core is formed with material softer than the jacket.

6. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the jacket adjacent the forward end of the jacket is continuous.

7. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the jacket adjacent the forward end comprises a plurality of rib cuts extending back from the forward end to facilitate expansion of the jacket upon impact of the projectile.

8. The projectile of claim 7 , wherein the ventilation ports are arranged so as to not intersect the rib cuts.

9. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the jacket is comprised of copper.

10. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the ventilation ports are configured to increase flight stability of the projectile by reducing the effects of air turbulence experienced at the open space.

11. A method of forming a projectile for use in a firearm ammunition cartridge, the method comprising:

providing a monolithic jacket having a closed rearward end and an open forward end;

disposing a core inside the jacket;

tapering the forward end of the jacket inwardly toward a longitudinal centerline of the jacket to define an ogive portion of the projectile such that the forward end of the jacket extends past a closed forward end of the core to form an open space inside the jacket between the closed forward end of the core and the forward end of the jacket; and

forming a plurality of ventilation ports through the forward end of the jacket, each of the ventilation ports having a first opening on an inner surface of the jacket defining the open space connected to a second opening on an outer surface of the jacket by a bore defined through the jacket.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising forming the plurality of ventilation ports so as to be spaced equidistantly from one another about the longitudinal centerline of the jacket.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising forming the plurality of ventilation ports with a punch, drill, or laser.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising forming the ventilation ports to each have a longitudinal axis that angles back from the longitudinal centerline of the jacket.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising forming the first openings of the ventilation ports to be adjacent the forward end of the core.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising forming a plurality of rib cuts extending back from the forward end to facilitate expansion of the jacket upon impact of the projectile.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising forming the ventilation ports so as to not intersect the rib cuts.