Design change to Winchester ranger?

[Rico911]

I just got issued new Winchester ranger 9mm 147 gr duty ammo (RA9T). I noticed there is now a dot of copper in the hollow point cavity. The catalog number has not changed. Anyone know anything about this change?

[micro911]

I think it is still the same. It may be just the design. They punch the nose cavity after they make the bullet. Probably that is why.

[CBR_rider]

I noticed a design change two years ago I believe; but nothing from my latest boxes of Winchester Ranger in .45 or .40.

[micro911]

When I shot it into a water tank and retrieved it, I did not see any difference with the old stuff.

[Rico911]

There is a definitive diffrent to the previous issued batch of RA9T I got previously when compared side by side. The new ammo's petals are thinner, the hollow point cavity is shaped different, and there is definitely a dot of copper at the base of the hollow point. I'd post a picture of the two side by side but I'm not tech savy.

[yzErnie]

Post a pic of them side by side. I'm curious to see the difference.

[Rico911]

Tell me how and I will.

[Rico911]

Here is a side by side picture

[code_blue]

Here you go.




The new stuff looks closer to the PDX-1 bullets. They appear to be more elongated vs the old stuff.

[micro911]

Oh, that is the newer one than what we have. I don't think I have seen that one.

[Rico911]

It seems Winchhester changed this popular round without advertising it.

[John M]

Is it the newer T Series?

[Rico911]

Its my latest issued box of duty ammo. The product number hasn't changed, still RA9T. T series 9mm 147gr.

[Rico911]

Regarding this ammo, about 10 years ago, I ran into Dr Martin Fackler in a court hallway. He Was one of the world's leading experts in wound ballistics. I asked him about pistol ammo. He knew my department issued Ranger ammo and told me that was the best. Heavy for caliber, deep penetration over expansion is most effective. I wonder if this ammo is still the best.

From wikipedia-
He (Dr Fackler) hypothesized that wound depth was much more important than previously thought, and recommended ammunition that could send a bullet at least twelve inches into his ballistic gelatin.
He was the first researcher to demonstrate that fragmentation was the most effective means of inflicting wounds in a modern military rifle round. He asserted that yawing and cavitation do not typically cause severe tissue trauma. Or, that the "permanent wound cavity" or actual damage caused by a projectile is the primary "stopping power" mechanism and that the "temporary wound cavity" or shock wave produced by the projectile is at best a secondary mechanism, if not irrelevant.

[Rico911]

Update, LASD has approved Federal 9mm 147 gr HST for duty use.