Is polymer cased ammo something we will be seeing soon?

OR4NGE

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I guess those are not reloadable...

https://warisboring.com/army-shortlists-polymer-ammo-company-for-multi-billion-dollar-contract/
 
I’ve seen and used polymer blank ammo in Norway back in 2014. The base was either brass or aluminium for the extractor if our c7/c8 to grab on. The rest was eco friendly biodegradable polymer ish of red or blue color.

It might be the next big innovation. That’s a lot of weight saving.
 
I would say without much doubt that at the least it's going to start being a thing you can find on store shelves soonish. How soon that is I have no idea.
 
Perhaps the I'm too cynical, but I would bet that this is favoured by the Libs in power. It will be another way to control shooters by eliminating/reducing the supply of reloadible cases.
 
Unless the polymer case can withold the heat from ignition without transferring it readily to the chamber this wont be a good solution.

Caseless ammo was abandoned in the 90s due to overheating. The brass case acts as a heat sink and extraction reduces heat transfer. Would be interesting to see some research on how polymers fare in that regard.

Im sure they can with stand heat, but if they are transferring the heat to the chamber without absorbing much it might cause undue wear and tear.
 
Plastic (polymer) cases were tried for pistol ammunition about 40 years ago. I can't remember the brand but the cases were triangular, quite thick, the bullet conventional round. They were used in a specially chambered revolver by the same company. For whatever reason the idea never gained any traction, probably because it was an unfamiliar concept for traditionalists and promoted and sold by the inventor, not one of the majors like Smith and Wesson, Colt, or Federal who had their own turf to protect. It worked, it was expensive, I don't remember reading much negative comment but nobody got really excited about the concept either.
But the concept is alive and well with our modern plastic shotgun ammunition, this was controversial when it appeared in the 1950's, now it's normal.
 
Plastic (polymer) cases were tried for pistol ammunition about 40 years ago. I can't remember the brand but the cases were triangular, quite thick, the bullet conventional round. They were used in a specially chambered revolver by the same company. For whatever reason the idea never gained any traction, probably because it was an unfamiliar concept for traditionalists and promoted and sold by the inventor, not one of the majors like Smith and Wesson, Colt, or Federal who had their own turf to protect. It worked, it was expensive, I don't remember reading much negative comment but nobody got really excited about the concept either.
But the concept is alive and well with our modern plastic shotgun ammunition, this was controversial when it appeared in the 1950's, now it's normal.

The Dardick tround.

11748565_10153216865935668_50514040_n.jpg
 
Yes, the Dardick, thank you. Ugly beast isn't it? It's the same as muzzleloaders continuing in use, especially in remote areas, long after cartridge ammunition was in use. It was easy to source powder, lead, flints or percussion caps at any trading post or hardware store but they probably wouldn't have the specific ammunition for your new fangled gun, too little demand.
 
There have been attempts to manufacture and market poly cased ammo ( 223/5.56 and 308/7.62) mid 70's and 80's and even into the 90's but for many reasons ( manufacturing, materials and marketing) they just couldn't seem to break into the market. The price didn't help, double of most popular brands. Little to no additional advantages other that the weight difference,
 
Unless the polymer case can withold the heat from ignition without transferring it readily to the chamber this wont be a good solution. Caseless ammo was abandoned in the 90s due to overheating. The brass case acts as a heat sink and extraction reduces heat transfer. Would be interesting to see some research on how polymers fare in that regard. I'm sure they can with stand heat, but if they are transferring the heat to the chamber without absorbing much it might cause undue wear and tear.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pGHhIQ_eJo>
 
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