The US Navy defines blended-metal bullets as, "projectiles which utilize cores manufactured with materials other than lead, using processes other than melting."[1] The solicitation elaborates as follows:

The base metals used in these formulations are usually a very fine powder. Copper, tungsten, and brass are examples of some of the base powdered metals used to date. These powdered metals are mixed with a binder such as tin, zinc, or a polymer such as nylon. Once the powdered metal(s) and binder(s) are mixed, they are pressed or molded into the final projectile core form, and in some cases sintered.

Blended-metal rounds are commercially available at this time in limited quantities from independent dealers in a variety of calibers, and sintered non-lead bullets have been available for handloading since at least 2006.

RBCD Performance Plus, Inc.

One now-defunct company, RBCD Performance Plus, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, produced ammunition marketed as blended-metal bullets.[2] However, RBCD's "Blended-Metal Technology" (BMT) was a trademark and not a description of bullet composition.[3] Independent testing by Gary Roberts showed that RBCD ammunition was, "nothing but lightweight, repackaged varmint bullets disguised with a black coating of moly, and driven to higher than normal velocities with concomitantly higher than normal pressures."[4] Roberts cites a USSOCOM and ARDEC study published in 2007 which supports his findings.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Blended Metal Projectile Solicitation Number: N0016404R4846". United States Navy. 17 September 2004. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  2. ↑ Roos, John G. (2003-11-24). "1-shot killer". Army Times. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  3. ↑ Vail, Dr. Sydney. "Dr. Sydney Vail's Report on LeMas BMT Ammo (Live Animal Tests)". Defense Review. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  4. 1 2 Roberts, Dr. Gary (4 Oct 2008). "LeMas/RBCD Ammunition Analysis". Retrieved 22 May 2011.
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