Category: Ammunition

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Ammunition

Buffalo Bore .327 Magnum Loads

Buffalo Bore 327 Magnum Ammunition

Buffalo Bore 327 Magnum Ammunition

Buffalo Bore recently introduced two new loads for the .327 Federal Magnum.  The first is a 100 grain JHP while the second is a hard cast 130 grain Keith-style load.

The 100 grain JHP load appears to use the Hornady XTP bullet, which has a thicker-than-typical jacket.  The thick jacket allows for deeper penetration than might otherwise be expected from another brand of hollowpoint.  The load is rated at 1800 fps from a test barrel.  From a Ruger Black Hawk with a 5.5″ barrel, the load made for 1466 fps at the muzzle, and Buffalo Bore rates the load as 1450 fps.

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Silver State Armory 6.8 SPC Ammunition

Silver State Armory announced the production of three new 6.8 SPC loads: a plinking round, a tactical/law enforcement round and a specialized armor-piercing (AP) round.  This collection of new 6.8 SPC rounds offers a broad range of options for different applications in a tactical situation.

Silver State Armory 6.8 SPC ammo
This is the 97 grain armor piercing, tungsten carbide bullet.

The tactical round uses an 85 grain Barnes TSX bullet traveling at 3070 fps from a 16” barrel.  When fired into 10% ballistic gelatin, the bullet has an impressive wound cavity in the first eight inches, and penetrates a total of 17.38”.  The recovered diameter of the bullet averaged 0.546”.  This performance is what a lot of people are looking for.  Silver State Armory was unable to provide me with additional performance details, such as how it worked through auto glass, etc.  Those tests are very relevant for what this cartridge was designed to do.

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Ammunition

New Ammo from Winchester

new ammo from winchester

As 2009 begins to close, Winchester Ammunition announced a wide range of new loads for 2010.  These new loads will be shown at the SHOT Show in January, and will be released to the public shortly thereafter.  We will be at the show and will bring you additional information as we can from the good folks at Winchester.

.338 Win Mag  E-Tip

Winchester Ammunition is expanding the E-Tip line of hunting loads with the addition of the .338 Win Mag.  The .338 Win Mag will feature a 200 grain E-Tip bullet.  Velocities have not yet been released by Winchester.  Expect to see this cartridge on your dealer’s shelves in June of 2010.  (Ed. update – As of 2013, this load is no longer listed on the Winchester Ammunition website.)

Winchester new ammo12 Gauge PDX12 Slug/OO Shell

In one of the more interesting offerings for 2010, Winchester Ammunition is introducing a 12 gauge cartridge that contains a one ounce rifled slug with three plated 00-buck pellets loaded on top of it.  The slug features Winchester’s Power Point technology.  The 2 3/4″ shell is a reduced recoil load and is due out in March of 2010.

I don’t know if the three 00 pellets add any additional stopping power to the full ounce slug, but I know I would not want to be on the receiving end of it.

.380 ACP PDX1 Ammo

Expanding the Supreme Elite Bonded PDX1 line of ammunition, Winchester added a .380 ACP load for 2010.  Due in February of 2010, the new .380 load features a bonded 95 grain JHP.  The round is rated at 1000 fps at the muzzle, which is typical for this caliber.  Hopefully, Winchester will make enough of this ammo to meet demand in 2010!

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New Hornady Rifle Loads: 7.62×39 and 6.5 Grendel

Hornady 357 Mag LeverEvolutionHornady Manufacturing announced two new rifle loads ahead of the 2010 SHOT Show.  One load is for the popular Soviet 7.62×39 cartridge found in AK-47, SKS and other rifles.  The second load is in 6.5 Grendel, a medium power load designed to give AR-15 shooters power similar to that of the 7.62×39.

Hornady 7.62×39 V-MAX

hornady_762_vmax

Hornady announced a new load for the 7.62×39 cartridge.  The new load in Hornady’s Custom line is a steel-cased, Berdan primed round topped with a 123 grain V-MAX bullet.  Muzzle velocity is rated at 2350 fps, which puts energy at 1508 ft-lbs.

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Hornady Expands Critical Defense Line of Ammunition

Hornady announced three new loads in the Critical Defense line of ammunition:  .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.  Refer to the chart for specific loading information:

hornady_cd_011

Claiming to be the “pinnacle in self defense ammunition,” Hornady lists the following benefits of the Critical Defense line of ammunition:

  • Unaffected by thick and heavy clothing, including denim and leather.
  • FTX bullet delivers superior controlled expansion and large, deep wound cavities over a wide range of velocities.
  • Clean burning and stable propellants reduce recoil in lightweight handguns, and perform consistently in all temperatures.
  • Minimal muzzle flash protects night vision.
  • Feeds reliably in pistols.
  • Shiny silver nickel plating prevents corrosion, and is easily visible in low light situations.
  • Bullets are cannelured and crimped to avoid bullet setback.
  • Bullets are custom designed for individual loads.
  • The most effective, consistent, and reliable self-defense ammunition available today.

Update

The Critical Defense line of ammunition has proved to be a solid performer, and the line has expanded even more to include such calibers as the 9×18 Makarov and the .22 WMR.  The performance of the FTX bullets that Hornady loads in these rounds is excellent across a wide range of velocities and the loads are very reliable in many different firearms.  Without a doubt, this line of ammunition is a real winner for the company.

Since the original introduction of these rounds, Hornady has also started a parallel line of ammo products called the Critical Duty line.  The Critical Duty line of ammunition is designed for greater penetration and is marketed to law enforcement agencies.  It meets all of the FBI testing protocols and offers the same reliable expansion and performance that people have come to expect from Hornady and the Critical Defense line.  These rounds are all exceptional performers and do very well for anyone looking to defend themselves from a violent assault or attack on their person or on their family.  Two thumbs up, so to speak.