polymer cased ammo?

Txs

March 18, 2004 11:19

Anyone have experience with polymer cased ammunition? I've heard the DoD, specifically the Navy, has been testing this stuff but I haven't really heard anything about their findings.

I recently picked up some in .223 that's loaded with what appear to be standard GI 55 gr. FMJBT's. The head/rim of the case is brass, marked PCA 03 223 REM, and the remainder is dark gray polymer. It's manufactured by NATEC and comes in 50 rd. boxes marked PCA-Spectrum.

Any info?

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  rufe-snow

  March 18, 2004 16:35

  Interesting concept, "BUT" there still going to have to work the "BUGS" out.
  
  Poster on one of the KelTec boards, ran a box through his SU-16, two of the brass heads separated from the plastic bodies on extracton.
  
  
  
  http://www.ktog.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=b3a9efe1235fd2c74d2845a54cf5967b&threadid=7084
  
  

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  ryan_marine

  March 19, 2004 19:12

  The Marines are trying them out but have yet to get the bugs out. I don't like the idea. I prefer the all brass case.
  
  Ray
  
  More Powder, More Lead, More Dead

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  Txs

  March 20, 2004 11:55

  I agree, they're going to have to work on this a bit before issuance. They seem to have a problem with the brass head seperating from the polymer when used in a firearm with either a dirty chamber/throat or one that extracts violently, such as the AK. These also cannot be used with fluted chamber firearms.
  
  As I understand it, during manufacture the polymer is actually poured onto the bullet. The powder is then poured and the polymer and brass portions are held together by a snap rim. Bullet setback isn't reported to be a problem.
  
  It's an interesting concept and will probably end up being used by the military once they fine tune the manufacturing process. The weight of the polymer .223's is about 2/3's that of metal case ammunition. If used with large caliber weapons this amount of weight reduction would be very useful in arming aircraft.

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