Polycase ARX?

[SlowBurn]

Buy some PPU online. That's what I broke my CW380 in with along with Polycase ARX for carry. I am not kidding, I have not had a single issue ever. I did run one box of Federal aluminum without a hitch as well.

Cheers,

Derek

Started a new thread because i've been wondering about this ammo. Anybody who's used it, especially in 380, what do you think?

[DXTAC]

I have now fired about 40 rounds of the ARX through my CW380 without an issue. The pistol is well broken in with 400 rounds of PPU through the pipe and not one FTF, FTE or any other issue. I like the Poly because it's lighter and hits harder causing damage more like a 9mm. I EDC the .380 now and that was not my original intention. I may even carry it when it cools off and shorts and T-shirt weather is done. The penetration is awesome and should be good for winter clothing up here in the Windy City.

Cheers!!

Derek


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[SlowBurn]

Thanks. Going to try it out when I find some. I guess they're associated with Ruger now, which leads me to believe the ammo may not be just a gimmick like some other innovative loads.
http://www.ruger.com/micros/ammo/index.html?r=y

[SlowBurn]

LGSs don't seem to have Polycase ARX in stock. Just ordered some from Buds which had it cheapest of the reliable online dealers. Looking forward to trying it out. Recoil with Kahr 380s is already good compared to other pocket guns but I'm guessing it may be even less noticeable with these lighter loads.

Derek, do you by chance use the magguts system to get an extra round in your mag? Works with ammo I've tried so far, wondering if it will feed ARX as well

[muggsy]

The Polycase ARX is designed to fragment if it strikes a barrier. I don't see this as a good thing. A rib bone is a barrier. I'll stick with my time proven Hornady Custom 124 Gr. round for carry until I see some autopsy reports on the ARX.

[DXTAC]

SlowBurn - I do not. I use the standard 6 round, one in the chamber and an extra mag. Nuttin fancy.
On another note I did buy 3 boxes, GULP, of the ARX in 45 for my CW45 winter carry and my RI 1911. Each ate it up without a hitch. The 1911 is in the night stand and as I stated I carry the cw45 in winter months.
Cheers
[emoji482][emoji482]


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[SlowBurn]

I got a Ruger branded box from Bud's and took it to the range today to try out with my CW380. Used different mags including a Kahr 7 round extended mag and a 6 rounder converted to 7 using the Magguts system. Zero problems feeding or firing with any mag. Spun the metal targets on the tree fine. I also wasted a box of Hornady CD just to get a get a side by side. Recoil with the Hornady is not bad, but the ARX is a bit less.

I like it a lot ordered some more, and plan to start carrying it. A side benefit is the lighter weight, which makes a difference in a pocket gun especially with the extra round crammed into the magguts mag.

Muggsy, thats a good point. I don't know whether I'm counting on the 380 to break bones but I suppose if it hits with enough velocity it might, even if the bullet deforms or shatters.

[muggsy]

I'm more concerned about penetration. I know that my chosen Hornady load will reach vital organs. Not so sure about the ARX.

[CharlieR]

The ARX ammo is available at Field & Stream shops. Haven't tried it yet.

[SlowBurn]

Full review in Nov American Rifleman
http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/10/23/tested-the-polycase-arx-bullet/

[Dbholfo]

I've yet to try it or Liberty Civil Defense but both seem to be more than passing fancies. At $23 a box of 20 ARX is a tad pricy but I guess if you life depends on it that's really a good price. Liberty is $35 a box, even more pricey but 1900 fps. ARX is stated at 1307 fps.

[Bobshouse]

Ruger has put out the same thing, you get 25 per box and it's a lot cheaper. About 20 bucks at most sporting goods stores.

[MarkB1]

I know that this is the Poly Case ammo that is getting an assist from Ruger. There have been several reviews and ordinance gel videos since the last postings here.

I picked up two boxes of .380 Ruger ARX ammo from Brownells for $17.00 a box of 25 rounds. The cartridges are loaded in brass cases with a "JAG" headstamp. The bullet has the profile of a hardball loading except for the three flutes in each bullet.

I have not yet fired the ammo in my RM380 so my comments are from the reviews and articles I have read and the videos I have seen.

The stated velocity of the .380 round is 1315 fps with a 56 gr bullet. The gel test show that the flutes cause a very good initial wound channel from the fluid pressure that the flutes generate. Then the bullet starts to tumble as it slows. This is by design and causes even more wound damage. The bullet in .380 easily goes through 4 layers of denim and still causes the good initial wound channel. It will not clog up like a hollow point will from the cloth.

This is science and technology producing a design that works differently yet is still very effective.

Here is a review that gives a good explanation of how the round works by RealGuysReview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdkDbpOntns

Here is a gel test with denim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXlYcabJ3lY

Keep an open mind here. Things change. Remember when "polymer" handguns came out and everyone said they will never work well or catch on? Read the reports and watch the videos and draw your own conclusion. From what I have read and seen, I feel the ARX rounds are effective and a possible improvement over existing designs. The current designs will always work well.

Here is a faq page from Polycase that gives a lot of info on how their bullets are made and how they work. It's good reading.

http://www.polycaseammo.com/faq

Here is an article from Ed Head from Gunsite:

http://www.downrange.tv/blog/ruger-arx-ammunition/36155/

[muggsy]

One of the problems that I see is the federal government mandating plastic bullets. If they turn out to be less effective that could be our loss. We could also face shortages like we recently experienced with conventional ammunition. Lighter bullets don't retain velocity long range and are more susceptible to wind drift. They may work well in handguns at short range and be a complete fail in rifles at long range.

[MarkB1]

I agree with you, Muggsy, that the jury is still out on if this technology will be effective on long range rifle shots. It does seem to be that you need the mass of a heavier bullet to retain effective energy for the hit on game at long range.

That said, this does appear to be ground breaking for pistol bullets

[nmkahrshooter]

I work for a LGS and the Ruger ARX has been a great hit in our store. Everybody seems to like it and no complaints or problems.

[SaltyNC]

I bought a box of the Ruger ARX last night and ran a few magazines through my CW380 by hand-racking the slide. It seems to feed fine. I'm going to give it a try this week. I have seen plenty of gel tests, but has anyone run across a video or write-up where someone fired the ARX bullet into animal tissue? I'm guessing there isn't yet any real world data on the bullet's effects on a human body. The gel tests are impressive, but I just keep wondering if the bullet will do the same damage in tissue. I mean, you can easily stick your finger into a block of gel, but you can't exactly stick your finger into a 6" beef roast. I know you can cut concrete with water jets, and those channels on the ARX would certainly generate water traveling at super high speed, but is there enough pressure to cut the tissue in the same way as it does in gel?

I've had a troublemaking raccoon turning over our garbage cans, so if the opportunity presents itself, I'll be sure to let you know how the ARX performs in a raccoon. ;)

Salty

[kwh]

^^^Yes, I would want to know how fast it will put down a raccoon. We need to know the RSP (Racoon Stopping Power) before entrusting our lives in the real world against Raccoons with Rabies.

[berettabone]

Why do people keep buying ammo they know nothing about??????????? The regular stuff works just fine, and has for years. Just ask the people who have been shot.

[Bobshouse]

Why do people keep buying ammo they know nothing about??????????? The regular stuff works just fine, and has for years. Just ask the people who have been shot.

Most of 'em are pretty quiet or maybe it's hard to hear them six feet under.

[nmkahrshooter]

Remember the old stuff was new when it came out. Sometimes new is better.

[SaltyNC]

Why do people keep buying ammo they know nothing about??????????? The regular stuff works just fine, and has for years. Just ask the people who have been shot.

I thought the .380 tests performed by Shootingthebull.net were a good look into the different capabilities of the various .380s. They are definitely not all the same. I've also read the stats that show that most people that get shot once with anything (.22) decide that's enough to make them stop, but there are always those few that don't stop. I imagine the majority of those are either crazy or on drugs. Or heck, maybe they are tough as nails like ol' Teddy Roosevelt and can take a bullet and just go on like nothing ever happened for a couple of hours. He was shot and went on to give a very long speech.

So, I know what you mean, but I just want the best bullet I can get in my little CW380. If it was a .45, I don't think it would matter so much, but with the .380, it sits right on the line of good enough. I want all it has to give. I haven't been on here in awhile, and I was content to carry the XTP bullets. Those seemed to be universally excellent and outperformed other .380s, and they feed great in my CW380. But, I came back around to check things out, see what was new, and within a couple of weeks I have a new hardened tool steel striker from Lakeline, and one additional round in my magazine thanks to Magguts. (I'm looking forward to seeing what Al comes up with for the 380 magazine!) I didn't need or have to have those, but they seem like nice, incremental small improvements. If there is something better, why not go with that. I just don't know if the new ARX/Polycase bullets will create a large wound track in tissue. I think they will, but I'd like to see someone shoot a pork butt and dissect it just for kicks to make sure it cuts tissue like it cuts ballistic gel. If it does, then it's the new king of the hill. All of the gel tests look great. Have you seen them? More destructive bullet, excellent penetration, faster bullet, less recoil for quicker recovery, and they weigh less in the pocket. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! :D

Salty

[King Rat]

I do not use it in 380 but do use the Plus P in my 9mm. Fast, accurate, Plus P with about 20% less felt recoil. I had read many review but saw this in a review of the LCR9mm which I own.

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2016/05/ruger-arx-9mm-p-ammunition-test-and.html

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/search?q=lcr+9mm (http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2016/05/ruger-arx-9mm-p-ammunition-test-and.html)

[Ronni3_J]

I still wan to try these.

[King Rat]

Why do people keep buying ammo they know nothing about??????????? The regular stuff works just fine, and has for years. Just ask the people who have been shot.

I agree 100 percent, that is why I try and look at all the ballistic test and then shoot those rounds through my firearms. One reason I love the ARX Plus P in 9mm!! Shoots great, accurate, fast and 15% reduction in recoil.

[SlowBurn]

Available in bulk at Ventura Munitions $87.50 for 250 rounds - pretty close to price for .380 FMJ range ammo.
https://www.venturamunitions.com/ventura-tactical-380-acp-56gr-fragenting-fluted-rn-new-ammo-250-rounds/
I've shot quite a bit of it now, working on my 3d box. I can't tell any difference from Ruger branded.

[DM123]

I'm with the wait and see autopsy reports group. Balistic gel, dead turkeys, side of dead beef and others is not the same as a living breathing person with layers of some unknown clothing.

I know what happens if I try to drill with a high speed bit through a piece of nylon carpet or polyester. The fibers get wrapped up on the drill bit. Not saying this would happen, just need more real life experiences.

[finpro]

I'm with the wait and see autopsy reports group. Balistic gel, dead turkeys, side of dead beef and others is not the same as a living breathing person with layers of some unknown clothing.

I know what happens if I try to drill with a high speed bit through a piece of nylon carpet or polyester. The fibers get wrapped up on the drill bit. Not saying this would happen, just need more real life experiences.

How fast was the drill bit traveling when it hit the carpet?

Guntests Magazine (gun-tests.com), an excellent source of info since they actually test and compare when they report and do not take advertising, tested Ruger-branded ARX .380 rounds in their August 2016 issue and gave them an A Grade, along with 4 others among the 11 tested. They applauded the ARX's penetration, but indicated that accuracy was slightly less than the other compared rounds. The test was conducted with a Rock Island Armory Baby Rock, a shrunken 1911 with a 3.75" barrel, which seems very long for a current .380 pistol. I wish they had tested with a pistol that we would likely carry. This test is a repeat of a 2010 ammo test, with another pistol, in which they concluded, in less powerful pistols like .380s, they would recommend powerful and heavier FMJ rounds to assure penetration to 12+".

I conclude, from the vast product improvements in 6 years, that Obama was not only the greatest gun salesman and NRA fundraiser in history, but also the best ballistic quality engineer.

Bottom line: You would likely be fine with ARX rounds, but the real payoffs, as with any pistol, are with reliability in your own pistol and shot placement. In a tiny pistol, the lesser recoil of a 56 grain ARX or any very light round might help you shoot more rapidly. FWIW, Guntests gave their highest score, an A+, to the 99 grain Federal HST round, the heaviest bullet weight tested.