Winchester Ranger ammo question...

[rundmlee]

I've been using Winchester Ranger SXT for my 9mm and .45 ACP ammo choice for self defense.

I see that the T-series is the new improved SXT, so I guess if I need more ammo, I would opt for T-series.

Just out of curiousity, what is the Winchester Ranger Bonded stuff.. it seems to have a jacketed hollow point.. would this be something I should consider for a self defense load?

[Female Instructor]

The last generation of SXT is 4th Generation and the newest is 5th Generation, now called T-Series (instead of SXT). It's slowly being produced and released by Winchester since about November of last year. So far, I have only seen it in 45ACP and 40 180Gr. I made a post on this quite a while ago with pictures. If you look at the picture below, the spent rounds on the left are 5th Generation T-Series and the rounds on the right are 4th Generation SXT. You can see the difference in the expansion.

The Bonded ammuntion in the Ranger line is new so I can't offer much information on it. All the ballistics look the same: http://www.winchester.com/lawenforce...ster_Front.pdf. I do know that by looking at spent rounds, the T-Series shows a better expansion than the Bonded and is offered in more calibers. There is nothing like the SXT and T-Series when it comes to self defense ammunition!

[Glock Holiday]

Female Instructor...Is she amazing or what! Julie you got game girl! Thank you for knowledge on the subjects.

[AMS MIKE]

Originally Posted by Glock Holiday

Female Instructor...Is she amazing or what! Julie you got game girl! Thank you for knowledge on the subjects.

+100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

[rundmlee]

Thanks FI. I'm still using some old SXT ammo.. they have the brass cases and the black coated bullets. So.. I don't think they are even 3rd or 4th gen SXT's... Maybe it's time to shoot those up and get 5th gen.. if I can find them.

[RatGirl]

Originally Posted by rundmlee

Thanks FI. I'm still using some old SXT ammo.. they have the brass cases and the black coated bullets. So.. I don't think they are even 3rd or 4th gen SXT's... Maybe it's time to shoot those up and get 5th gen.. if I can find them.

You have the old collector's round of Black Talon! When you are ready to update your ammo, I know a gal that can help you.

[CCWInstructor]

Black Lubaluk is first Generation.

[libertarian]

Bonded ammo is typically designed for more penetration through barriers at the cost of some expansion. Basically the jacket (copper part) and the core (lead) are 'glued' together chemically to reduce the chance of separation, which ruins bullet performance. Any bullet can separate, but bonded ammo is less likely to.

If you were worried about shooting through windshields on a regular basis it might be worth it, but for CCW defense purposes, the regular stuff is better - we generally have soft targets, and more expansion means less chance of over-penetration.

[CCWInstructor]

FMJ will do the job of bonded too.

[X-ffdo]

.45 ACP Ball has a good long time proven record.