On the SHOT Show Floor, I talked with Sim-X, who is debuting their RangeCore Ammunition while reintroducing the DefenseCore Ammunition line (to me) in 9mm, .40S&W, and 45 Auto.
If you aren’t familiar with Sim-X Ammunition, their hallmark is lightweight, high-velocity projectiles. Both the RangeCore and DefenseCore ammunition offerings are exactly this, and lead-free.
DefenseCore Ammunition
First, let’s talk about the DefenseCore Ammunition that I’ve somehow not been aware of for the last year. This ammunition is lead-free, which ensures that you don’t leave any bad guys with long-term problems from lead poisoning.
Still, there will be no long-term issues for a bad guy who is shot with DefenseCore due to the rapid expansion and energy deposition. In a clay block test, penetration by the 45 grain 9mm DefenseCore projectile was minimal (6-8″) while the wound cavity was catastrophic.
The same clay block showed minimal wound cavity and greater penetration by Federal Premium 124 grain 9mm HST. In a self-defense situation, over-penetration is a concern, but it can be put to rest with DefenseCore.
During my interview with a Sim-X Ammunition representative, I asked if DefenseCore would penetrate Kevlar if a bad guy happened to be wearing some. The answer I received surprised me for a few reasons: First, I didn’t expect them to answer, and the answer was much better than I anticipated. They said, and I’ll paraphrase, if you practice proper marksmanship then you are firing two rounds to the chest that are close together, which defeats any body armor, followed by one to the head.
So there you have it. Still, I was informed that they did test this, and against the armor that they used, the bullets did not penetrate.
By the way, the 2,250 FPS that this 9mm ammunition is clocked at is measured from a 4″ barrel. Anecdotally speaking, 9mm DefenseCore can reach speeds of over 2,600 FPS in a 16″ barrel.
Still, because of the decrease in projectile mass, recoil is 50% less than with traditional defensive ammunition offerings. This ammo is available online and at gunshops. It can be found anywhere between $19.99 and $25.00 for 20 rounds.
RangeCore Ammunition
RangeCore Ammo is a brand-new offering from Sim-X that was launched at SHOT Show. This ammunition is more affordable than frangible rounds but performs the same function. It features a patented synthetic core encased within a precision alloy jacket.
The synthetic core is a robust material that facilitates smooth firearm cycling. It achieves seamless performance without requiring any firearm modification, sparing users from added wear and tear, and recoil associated with +P cartridges. This decrease in mass also means that you can easily carry more ammunition.
Serving as the flagship product in the SUBMASS™ projectile line, RangeCore promises twice the velocity with only half the recoil compared to other training rounds on the market. The “performance recoil & hyper-velocity” characteristics of RangeCore translate into superior accuracy, allowing shooters to place more rounds on target in less time.
Available in Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) configurations, RangeCore ammunition covers the popular calibers of 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP. This broad compatibility ensures that RangeCore is a versatile choice for shooters with different preferences.
Learn more about Sim-X Ammunition by clicking here.
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