For your viewing pleasure.
HERE is a 7 year old article on the Inceptor ARX round... one of the pioneers of the solid non expanding injection moulded rounds and a little history of its origins. Somewhere, I have a one on one interview that was done with it's creator.
Thats what got me into the Xtreme series. I really like the ARX, except that they have alot of flash, the most out of all ammo I ever tried on my .45auto. I prefer the 45auto because, like someone pointed out, I dont get hung up on wounding. I believe the only thing that matters is holes, big holes. I know, shot placement is key, but if that fails, blood loss is the next best fight stopper. Am I right? I mean, obviously, more pills are needed, but if for some reason they cant be delivered.
I prefer to make 2 .45cal holes(per shot), but you know, collateral damage. It seems to me the best round to use in good conscience is a projectile which will reliably stop within an attacker's center mass (and aim for center mass) The Xtreme Defenders are clothing blind, as we know, the hollow points for one reason or another can fail a good fraction of the time. For me, there really is no other reason for the use of hollow points other than the attempt to not over penetrate; the extra lethality of hollow points(if any) is undesired. Although, I do understand there can be some circumstances where the extra lethality is necessary, such as a low capacity firearm. Also, I'm only referring my thoughts on civilian self defense, assuming the incident takes place in at least a somewhat populated area.
Another plus for these rounds is the ability to cross hard barriers and still have (or has a much better chance of) the desired performance of not over penetrating. The ARX has the added benefit of fragmenting into dust if it impacts impenetrable barriers where other projectiles can ricochet and become strays, very desirable for highly populated areas.
I don't reload yet, but I also prefer to buy ammunition that uses Starline brass. I fire off carry ammo 2 or 3 times a year. I have hundreds of Starline once fired cases from Underwood in 45acp and 45super. I also buy 45acp range ammo from a local ammunition manufacturer that uses Starline brass. There's alot of pluses and minus to my choosing between ARX and Underwood Xtreme Defender ammo. It seems that now, the ARX is a close enough practice round for the Xtreme Defender because of the low cost, but definitely worthy as a self defense round.
Being that all handgun calibers "suck" The Xtreme Defenders or ARX in .45auto hit some important criteria:
1)Biggest entry hole(vs other calibers)
2)Clothing & Bone Blind/ No Over Penetration
3)Hard Barrier Penetration
4)Lead Free(why not)
5)Easier to carry/ more ammunition (vs 185/230 grains)
6)More Reliable Feeding (vs 185/230 grains)
7)Light Recoil (vs 185/230 grains and other calibers)
8)Flatter Trajectory (vs 185/230 grains)
200gr is the bare minimum projectile weight I would use for serious large animal defense, the 45auto XP meets that. 118gr ARX, I feel are a bit on the light side. I definitely feel more confident with the 135gr XD. There used to be ARX practice ammo that was 135gr ball. I honestly liked that ammo. Momentum is good.
