(vanity) NATEC polymer cased ammunition...the future?

NATEC ammunition ^ | 3/22/2005 | Dr Nabil Hussaini

[Sender]

Sorry for the shameless vanity, but...plastic rifle ammo? I just bought a few boxes of NATEC polymer-cased ammunition. I'm extremely impressed.

[Sender]

I fully expect that the brass end cap will disappear in the near future and the entire cartridge except for the bullet (lead or ???) and primer and powder will be an advanced polymer soon. Much, MUCH lighter weight, waterproof and zero wear to the weapon. I vote that this will be the future of military ammo.

[Lurker]

What's it cost?

I won't use it because it can't be reloaded, but I'm interested anyway.

L

[Echo Talon]

hmmm, how well does it seal? what kind of chamber pressure are you getting? Any problems with jamming/fouling?

[Sender]

It cost me $7.50 a box, but I've since seen it for 6 bucks. Of course this is due to low volume production...for now. Once this thing takes hold, probably 3 bucks a box...or much less to the gub'mint.

[Sender]

Zero problems. It feeds like teflon.

[Echo Talon]

What round did you buy? i.e. 9mm/45acp? also what firearm are you using it in.

[Father Jack]

ping

[Sender]

.223 55-grain FMJ boat tail in an AR-15 A1. They also make other loads for the A2/A3 and hunting.

[Echo Talon]

oh cool... do you have any way of calculating velocity? I wonder the difference between that ammunition and Remington or similar brass ammo.

[Sender]

I have no way of measuring velocity but rest assured this is full-power ammo. It goes BANG.

[Echo Talon]

what about accuracy... was your rifle sighted in before with regular ammunition? how was your groups with the new ammo? just curious, chamber pressure is a strange animal and if the polymer isn't making a good seal you will be getting inconsistent groupings/velocities. well, test them out for awhile and let me know.

[MileHi]

Where did you buy it?

[Father Jack]

Can't help but wonder what this would do for performance on, say, the Big Ole Gun on the A-10 Warthog. Reducing the overall ammo weight on an aircraft would be interesting.

[Sender]

I'm going to do some more scientific testing soon. Right now all I can say is that it appears to perform just like brass-cased ammo, and is much lighter and more damage-proof.

I'm making a very subjective observation at this point when I say that soldiers will be carrying this stuff within 5 years. It's an inevitable evolution. You can just mold any caliber perfectly around a bullet, cheaply and perfectly. It will soon be in the field, count on it.

[Sender]

Since "my" accuracy is very much in question ;), I can't give an honest assessment of accuracy or velocity. But it shoots just like brass-cased ammo. And really, how can you get any more accurate than hot-molding the case perfectly around a bullet? Also the cases come out cool, not hot, and weigh practically nothing.

[Sender]

I bought mine at Sullivan Classic Arms in Cumming GA, but it's out on the internet. Search for 'NATEC PCA Spectrum' and you'll find dealers out there. This is big, really big.

[Sender]

[Echo Talon]

And really, how can you get any more accurate than hot-molding the case perfectly around a bullet?

Well, brass was the perfect solution for sealing the chamber. Once the bullet is fired the rim/neck of the case will expand to seal the chamber making a nice seal as to not let any gas leaks/blow back, giving maximum velocity/repeatability. just curious as to how well the new one do this.

[Sender]

Brass is great but it's heavy. Any ductile material can seal the chamber when 50,000 PSI inflates it. I have no problem with brass but I'm betting on polymer as the future.

[Echo Talon]

I like the idea, but want make sure we arent sacrificing acuracy for weight. I remember about 10-15 years ago they were
thinking about making caseless ammo, problem was... DUH... sealing the chamber.. Im all for advancing weapons and ammo but hope they do it right. :D