Have you seen or read about the new offering from Federal featuring, American Eagle Syntech Ammunition?
These are red polymer coated range ammo that look like lipsticks.
Federal Premium is about to introduce a new line of ammunition under its American Eagle brand, called Syntech.
The new ammunition uses a polymer jacket instead of a more traditional copper one.
Read the original article here: American Eagle Syntech Ammunition

There is another fine article and review by: Patrick Sweeney in the Feb, 2016 issue of: Guns&Ammo magazine. page 23.
He reviewed the Syntechs' 9mm 115gr., .40 cal 165gr., and the .45ACP 230gr. polymer coated ball ammunition.
It is intended for target use only. I am not sure if they have plans to develop these in HP, for SD use.
Is it any good? Patrick remarks, "Based on my testing, Syntech is a winner too."

mb

It is a start..................

Nice to see it coming out with a major ammo company, finally.

Will the old "Nyclad" rise from the grave in a new color?

Yes, I think maybe they will make a resurrection!

mb

if this works it has the price of the ammo.


New For 2016: American Eagle's Polymer-Encapsulated Syntech Ammo

Sure doesn't look to be cheaper to me.

Prices for the Syntech ammunition are as follows:

9mm Luger 115 grain: $19.95
40 S&W 165 grain: $26.95
45 Auto 230 grain: $33.95

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John

I wonder if it's a coating such as the Aussie Hy-Tek coating that has caught on with several bullet manufacturers here for the reloaders such as Bayou Bullets and Missouri Bullets?

not too exicted about it simply because over time it may make it easier for the EPA to push a total ban on "plain" lead bullets, or make it easier for an indoor range to ban non-coated bullets. Just my .02 opinion nothing against the pc bullets. Obiviouly I cast my own bullets so would prefer this to not be interfered with. I have even used Bayou Bullets HiTech coating. It works but for me its a solution looking for a problem. I can easily push my .44 loads at 1500 fps with proper sizing, lube and alloy. No need for pc coatings in my world.

I would rather see a color other than red since most snap caps I've seen are also red.
Murphy's Law lurks everywhere.

Just curious, but haven't the indoor ranges in your area banned plain lead bullets yet? They all have around here. Might make for an interesting poll...

Mine hasn't. They still sell emergency as range ammo

What is different about this from the "old" Nyclad ammo back in the 80's? I got a hold of a couple thousand 158 gr. HP Nyclad bullets (not loaded ammo), back then and my hand-loads shot fantastic, with minimal clean up problems.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The old Nyclad bullets were HP for SD. these are all ball ammo bullets for target shooting.
mb

What are the chances this Syntech bullet will come out in 380 caliber soon? Anybody know?? I am all for easier weapon clean-up after a day at the range, but I have a S&W BG 380.

Lead ban in place at the indoor range where my son sometimes takes me to shoot. Only frangible allowed, and preferably only the frangible they sell you. No ban at our outdoor range, but it's been reported in some local papers that the RSOs are suffering from exposure to lead and everyone is now undergoing frequent testing. In my old hometown the police range was closed and the cleanup was considered like an EPA disaster site. This issue may just become another way to try and control firearm use.

S&W first came out with the Nyclad ammo back in the early 70's. Years after they stopped producing ammo Federal bought the rights to the Nyclad product.

Eleven years ago ARES of Slovakia started production of a nylon coated bullet in multiple calibers, weights and colors. They even had a run of 9mm ammo using their colored bullets.

The federal courts have already ruled that the EPA cannot restrict or ban the use of lead in sporting goods, i.e.: bullets, shot, fishing weights etc.

Not all Nyclad loads were of HP design. Both S&W and Federal produced 9mm RN and SWC loads in 38Spl & 357Mag.

Federal even produced 9mm 124gr Nyclad RN ammo for law enforcement training use.

It seem that back then the Nyclads were a little pricey when every other kind of ammo was common and cheap. That's why I only got one box and still have a couple.

I think that their time time has come. Especially since I and others buy coated bullets by the thousands from commercial casters.

Do you remember the stink about 'Teflon Coated Bullets'? Any chance that could come back?

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Doubtful. No manufacturer is going to be willing to take on the political hell that will come with "Teflon" coated bullets. Just look at the HE Double Hockey Sticks Winchester went thru with politicians claiming that their BT ammo was "Teflon" coated "cop-killer" bullets.

I bought a couple of boxes just to try out.I have a 9mm and the ammo is 124 gr. It is nice and clean burning. Easy to clean up after. It is accurate in my hands (2 to 3 inch circle) out to 15 yards. better at 10. I am going to buy some whenever it is on sale.

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Regards from THE Old Fart

Yes, they did make a 158gr SWC in .38 Special ammo.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Will that leave a red smudge on your collar??

As a dog person, I chuckled when I red "red lipstick" ball ammo...

"Do you remember the stink about 'Teflon Coated Bullets'? Any chance that could come back? "

That referred to the KTW bullets of the 1960s-1970s, sold as having superior metal penetrating capabilities. There were several variations of the KTW bullet design, but the original used a tungsten alloy called "Kennertium" same as used to make snow tire studs (which I think are now illegal in many states as they tear up highways). The bullet noses were coated with a green Teflon composition. The anti-gun press picked up on these quickly, calling them "Teflon Coated Cop-Killer Bullets" despite the fact that, at least to my knowledge, no cops were ever killed by them. KTW restricted sales of their ammunition to LE agencies, although it was possible to find some at gun shows of that time. In fact, the Teflon coating did nothing to increase metal penetration, and later, KTW dropped the Teflon coating, partly because duPont refused to sell Teflon to them.

Lots of misinformation got spread around about those. My partner and I had to draw extra ammo from the Dept's property room in about '85. The ET handed Bob a box of Nyclads and said "be careful with those - they'll go right through your vest".

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I need ammo, not a ride.

There's a review of the new Federal ammo in the current (September) issue of The American Rifleman.

They liked it but I don't remember ever reading a review of anything in A. R. they didn't like.

Not everyone shoots bottom feeders. Any word on .38 Special/.357 Magnum?

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I have shot about 100 rounds of both 124 and 147 gr. now. Apparently I shoot too slow for the barrel to get hot anyway, so this seems a non issue for me. I have noticed that the barrel when I swab it is pretty darn clean , I usually used federal 124 gr anyway, and I can pull some copper residue out after a hundred shots, but not with this stuff. pretty accurate although the 147 shoots better out of my shield.

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Regards from THE Old Fart

I actually emailed Federal today to request they offer Syntech in .38 Special. I received a reply saying my request would be forwarded to the appropriate department....we'll see....

Glad those companies are catching up.
...and pooh pooh to those naysayers on that other S&W forum

The PTFE on the entire KTW slug was to give a softer bearing surface for it's trip down the barrel, similar to the 'bi-metal' applied to ComBloc mild steel jacketed slugs.

Actually the KTW bullets were made with a copper cup over the heal or base that will engage the barrel's rifling.

Those who want some good accurate info on the KTW's below is a link to a thread from the Int'l Ammunition Association's archives. Some of the photos posted on the thread are long gone but there's still some interesting photos, and at comment #53 there's a photo of a pulled 9mm bullet that clearly shows the brass cupped bullet base.

KTW 9 x 19 mm green Teflon - General Ammunition Collector Discussion - International Ammunition Association Web Forum