What kind of ammo is this?

[lakerfan5858]

Ok guys i was searching natches.com and found this ammo.
And i don't know anything about it.The stuff is listed on natches like this
( 223 55GR FMJBT NATEK AMMO)

NATEC's patented, lightweight, polymer-cased ammunition (PCA) is produced in Plattsburgh, New York. The cartridges utilize standard projectiles, primers, and propellants that are currently supplied by existing manufacturers. The base cap is cold formed from standard cartridge brass, and the casing is injection molded from the exclusively supplied polymer.

The unique, patent pending manufacturing process is centered on the one-step insert injection molding of the projectile into the polymer casing on state-of-the-art equipment. The interface is consistent (no crimping) and is self-sealing ensuring waterproofness of the cartridge. The primed base cap is then snapped on forming an interference fit after propellant loading.
Benefits:
PCA exhibits many benefits for the consumer over existing, similarly priced, metal-cased products, including:
-Superior accuracy.
-Consistent, reliable performance.
-Reduced heat transfer to the weapon.
-Cool to the touch fired casings.
-Reduced cost compared to existing "brand name" ammunition.


So if any of you smart people on this forum could tell me if it is safe to shoot in my AR-15 i would appreciate it.

 

[jpwilly]

So if any of you smart people on this forum could tell me if it is safe to shoot in my AR-15 i would appreciate it.

Why don't you buy a box and let us know!

 

[PercyShelley]

Umm...

wow.

OK, I may have to try this stuff; could be the wave of the future and all that.

Polymer coatings are well demonstrated in small arms, but I think that making load-bearing parts of the case entirely out of polymer is new afaik.

I would be worried about safety though. I'll have to come up with some sort of rig for the AR and see if it cycles, or KBs or whatever.

Edit: http://glocktalk.com/sitemap/topic/430300-1.html There are some testimonials at that site. This sounds like it might make a viable domestic competitor to wolf.

Edit #2: There seems to be some noise on arfcom about the company being out of business.

FWIW, here's their website: http://www.natec-us.com/

Arfcom has a singular signal to noise ratio at times!

Bottom line is, I don't know, but other people seem to have heard of this stuff and have had mixed results with it. There doesn't seem to be a safety concern with ARs, but some folks were mentioning case splitting issues. If you do try it, tell us how it worked out!

 

[kungfuhippie]

All the case does is seal against the chamber, plastic is probably better than brass for the task. If it is cheaper and readily available I'd buy and use it. I bet a steel base would be cheaper than a brass one.

 

[Ian]

I helped some friends shoot up a couple boxes of the stuff in an AR (I don't remember the specific manufacturer or style). Didn't have any problems, but we didn't try more than 100 rounds or so.

 

[RedeyeGunner]

That just looks plain expensive!

 

[FuzzyBunny]

NEVER fire that in an HK rifle or one with a fluted chamber!!

 

[PercyShelley]

That just looks plain expensive!

Since they specifically mentioned injection molding, and the OP mentioned a lower price, my guess is that it's cheaper.

That is, if it's even being made anymore. Can anyone tell whether the company is still in business or not?

 

[esheato]

I've shot it out of an AR and a Mini. No problems whatsoever.

I even ran a significant amount of brass cased ammo through the Mini then chambered the polymer round hoping to melt it. No dice. The polymer "upper" was more malleable but it still shot and cycled fine.

Also, accuracy was mediocre. Neither spectacular nor horrible.

Supposedly you can't reload 'em. The plan was for the company to sell upper sections with pre-seated bullets. Then you fill with your choice of powder and snap the upper/lower together. I have never seen components for sale though so I'm not sure how far along that process went.


Ed

 

[alucard0822]

I tried 2 boxes, crappy accuracy out of a 20" A2 bushy. One round short stroked and the locking lugs on the bolt cut into the side of the case. One fired round looked like the brass base was staring to separate. This stuff is priced fairly cheap ($5 per 20rd), hence the trial, but for dirt cheap .223 you are probably better off with wolf. I would think the fact that the polymer has to be thicker than brass, and that it is a 2 peice case are probably bigger problems than the mere fact that it is polymer. Probably allows more force on the bolt face too, and is not reloadable. I was fairly disapointed as I had high hopes for this stuff, but it seems like brass cases that can be reloaded or sold are still king, and steel cased wolff might require the occasional extractor replacement, but is still the best of the (available) cheap stuff.

 

[jonnyc]

Company is already gone, sold, out of business. The ammo was not a success.

 

[berettashotgun]

Have reloaded thousands of ACTIV all plastic shotgun hulls without a complaint, they actually are the best hulls IMHO of every brand and style ( maybe B & P two piece is 2nd )
All plastic with a steel insert in the base for extraction reliability.
I love those hulls. Still have 6-700 new-in-bag
2 piece rifle cases doesn't sound right, since the case headspaces from the shoulder I suspect trouble

 

[RedeyeGunner]

Amazing that they can actually be cheaper will all the extra work gone into making a two peice design.

Ditto on the Wolf brand ammo. Dirty, but good shooting stuff.

 

[rangerruck]

RUN AWAY, unless of course you just want untold damage done to your bbl, chamber, extractors, etc., I almost ruined an origional all czech made, cz 527 carbine, because of a tiny little piece, that was not visible, but got fried, then stuck, to a little place , hiding just inside the chamber.