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About Polymer Tip Ammunition

Polymer tip projectiles can be common on a variety of loadings across many calibers. Typically, polymer tips accompany a hollow, open pocket which sits below the tip in the projectile. On impact, some polymer tip loadings are designed to expand as the tip presses back against the lead core. Polymer tips are also often utilized to achieve higher velocities and provide better ballistic capabilities to some cartridges. Many calibers which were limited to flat point and round nose style loadings have been granted better velocity due to polymer tips.

Common Polymer Tip Calibers

• 9mm:The 9mm Luger cartridge is easily the most common handgun round in common use. The caliber goes by many names, often being referred to as 9mm NATO, 9mm Parabellum, 9x19mm, or just generically “9mm”. The cartridge’s origins can be traced back to the early 20th century and is the brainchild of Georg Luger. Originally found in firearms such as the Borchardt C-93 and the P-08 Luger pistol, the round has become a common chambering for handguns in civilian and military use from the 20th century onward. Firearms such as pistols and submachine guns in 9mm Luger have commonly been used by military and law enforcement personnel across the globe, leading to the round establishing a reputation for being a reliable service cartridge.
• 5.7x28mm:The 5.7x28mm cartridge is the product of FN Herstal’s response to a NATO request to replace the 9mm Luger. While new cartridges are typically derived from an existing cartridge, the 5.7x28mm was designed from scratch from the ground up by FN Herstal. The cartridge is of the bottlenecked variety and will typically feature a lightweight projectile. When compared to the 9mm Luger it was intended to replace, the 5.7x28mm features roughly 30% less recoil. The high velocity of the round also aids in ensuring that a flat trajectory is achieved. The 5.7x28mm features a very controllable recoil impulse that is paired with a loud report and substantial muzzle flash when fired from a handgun or short barrel. While longer than typical handgun calibers, the 5.7x28mm is slim and has a relatively efficient form factor. This means that magazines for the caliber will often have a considerable ammunition capacity.
• 6.8 SPC:The 6.8mm Remington Special Purpose Cartridge (SPC) was developed in collaboration with the U.S. military in the early 2000s as an alternative to the 5.56 NATO. The goal was to provide a cartridge with improved terminal ballistics while retaining the benefits of a lightweight platform. 6.8 SPC is especially optimal for use in carbines and short barreled rifles.
• .30-30 Winchester:The .30-30 Winchester, also known as the .30 Winchester Center Fire (WCF), is a popular rifle cartridge introduced in 1895 for the Winchester Model 1894 lever-action rifle. It is one of the first cartridges designed for smokeless powder, offering a significant improvement in ballistics over black powder cartridges of the time. The .30-30 has become a staple in American deer hunting, known for its moderate recoil, accuracy, and effectiveness at typical hunting ranges.
• .17 Mach 2:The .17 Mach 2, also known as .17 HM2, is a rimfire cartridge introduced in 2004 by Hornady. It is based on the .22 Long Rifle case, necked down to accept a .17 caliber projectile. The round offers higher velocities than .22 LR, making it ideal for small game hunting and varmint control. It provides flatter trajectories and greater accuracy than traditional .22 rimfire cartridges.

Firearms that Use Polymer Tip Ammo

• Pistols
• Rifles
• Rimfire Pistols and Rifles

Read Related Articles

• About Polymer Tipped Ammo
• Who Makes 5.7x28mm Ammo?
• Who Makes 9mm Ammo?
• 5.56x45mm NATO vs 6.8 SPC