RBCD Performance Plus, Inc.

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RBCD Performance Plus, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas produces ammunition marketed as blended-metal bullets, used by civilians and some military contractors. The ammunition is distributed by Le Mas Ltd. of Little Rock, Arkansas.^[1] It should be noted that RBCD's "Blended-Metal Technology" (BMT) is a trademark and not a description of bullet composition.^[2] Independent testing by Dr. Gary Roberts (DDS, LTCDR-USNR) showed that RBCD ammunition is conventional lightweight lead-antimony hunting ammunition, coated in molybdenum disulfide (a "molycoat").^[3]

[edit] Blended-metal bullets

According to US Navy Solicitation Number N0016404R4846, Blended-metal bullets are "projectiles which utilize cores manufactured with materials other than lead, using processes other than melting."^[4] 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.

While LeMas/RBCD Performance Plus, Inc offers a "BMT" (Blended Metal Technology) bullet, this is a trademark and not a description of bullet composition.^[5] As defined by the US military, true blended-metal bullets are not commercially available at this time.

[edit] References

1. ^ Roos, John G. (2003-11-24). 1-shot killer. Army Times. Retrieved on 2007-01-01.
2. ^ Vail, Dr. Sydney. "The study of wound ballistics is based on a significant amount of science and a tremendous amount of art.", Defense Review. Retrieved on 2007-07-07. 
3. ^ Roberts, Dr. Gary (2006-05-20). LeMas unVail’ed--the Truth at last!. Retrieved on 2007-07-11.
4. ^ | Sources Sought Notice N0016404R4846
5. ^ Vail, Dr. Sydney. "The study of wound ballistics is based on a significant amount of science and a tremendous amount of art.", Defense Review. Retrieved on 2007-07-07. 

[edit] External links

• Official site of RBCD
• "How the latest firearms stack up", John G. Roos, Armed Forces Journal (2003)
• [1] RBCD Video - Used with permission, J.E. Bennett (Dark Overlord Productions)