Polymer cased ammunition ...again

Fred_C_Dobbs

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Apr 26, 2010
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PCP polymer cased ammunition

PCP Ammunition will be selling a line of polymer cased ammunition in early 2011. They claim to have fixed the issues that have plagued polymer ammo in the past (case head separation, melting in the chamber). They are offering it in 5.56 NATO, 6.8 SPC, 7.62mm NATO, .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG....

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Re: Polymer cased ammunition ...again

Any idea of the specific weight savings on this new version versus standard brass/steel cased ammo? What about costs?

Also, I'm betting that you still won't be able to use it in any rifle that has a fluted chamber (not that it is a big problem for 99.9% of the people that will likely end up using it)!
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Re: Polymer cased ammunition ...again

If it is even remotely like the PCA garbage:
cracked%20cases%203.JPG

...then avoid it like an STD!
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I had 2k rounds of the trash...and it was just bad enough that I left the remainder of unfired ammo on the range table when I left.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any idea of the specific weight savings on this new version versus standard brass/steel cased ammo?</div></div> Don't know anything about this new stuff, but weight-wise it can't be much different than the PCA....in which case, it was actually a considerable difference. If this crap was reliable, you could probably carry 3 maybe 4 to 1 brass!
 
Re: Polymer cased ammunition ...again

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doorkicker</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any idea of the specific weight savings on this new version versus standard brass/steel cased ammo?</div></div> Don't know anything about this new stuff, but weight-wise it can't be much different than the PCA....in which case, it was actually a considerable difference. If this crap was reliable, you could probably carry 3 maybe 4 to 1 brass! </div></div>

That was what I was thinking. 3-4x the amount of ammo for the same weight is a hell of an advantage in the field if it turns out to work worth a $H!T (which is always the bigger question in my mind).
 
Re: Polymer cased ammunition ...again

i dont think a BCG will tear the case open they make some awsome plastis the issue would be wether it could contain the pressure and when a rifle is red hot not melt. also it must have a steel or other metalic insert in the base for the rim strength and primer retention even 12gr molded cases have a steel insert. If it works it will not make a loaded round 1/4 the weight it will make the Case 1/4 the weight so it will reduce around 130gr per round but the projectile, powde and primer weight still remails so it might reduce the weight so you can carry an extra round every 6 or 7 but that realy adds up. the biggest reason that people are looking at things like this is because there is a need to reduce the costs of producing ammo and the case is the single most expensive piece so if the military changes the cose from say 20c per case this is a example to say 5c each they will save hudreds of millions of dollars that is why there is interest it is not that the cartriges we have dont work it is a cost benifite that is massive the weight is a seccond consideration.

I hope it does work as it would be a huge leap forward in high pressure ammo. Remember there has also been trials in caseless ammo and that was also considered becaue the case is used and thrown away if that part that is not realy used as a part of ignition, combustion and damage is removed they have a better mousetrap if t works.
 
Re: Polymer cased ammunition ...again

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doorkicker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If it is even remotely like the PCA garbage:
cracked%20cases%203.JPG

...then avoid it like an STD!
smirk.gif
I had 2k rounds of the trash...and it was just bad enough that<span style="font-weight: bold"> <span style="color: #CC0000">I left the remainder of unfired ammo on the range table when I left.</span></span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any idea of the specific weight savings on this new version versus standard brass/steel cased ammo?</div></div> Don't know anything about this new stuff, but weight-wise it can't be much different than the PCA....in which case, it was actually a considerable difference. If this crap was reliable, you could probably carry 3 maybe 4 to 1 brass! </div></div>

laugh.gif
Nice.
 
Re: Polymer cased ammunition ...again

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Adician</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like they tried to solve a problem that didn't need fixing.</div></div>

That is actually incorrect. With almost half the weight of a cartridge in the case itself its a very real issue for the Infantry fighting man. Example a M249 Mk46 Machine Gunner carries around 1000 rounds of 5.56 in 5 drums, plus the 13 lb weapon. And the A gunner carries more, and a barrel. When its all said and done your carrying 30 lbs of ammo, 13 pounds of rifle. 03's carry as little as 7 M4/M16 mags and as much as 19 with 30 rounds in each. So a heavy ammo load for him is almost 15 pounds for that weapon system. If half of the weight of the ammo is brass, which is not only expensive when your making it in billions of rounds per year(the base material is expensive and the mfg methods are difficult). taking up to 15 lbs off of each fighting mans load is a big deal.

For civilian precision marksmanship, there isn't much practical use. But the technology does need to be developed for military use.

Just some food for thought.