RBCD Performance Plus, Inc.

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. [cite web |url=http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2426405.php |title=1-shot killer |accessdate=2007-01-01 |last=Roos |first=John G. |date=2003-11-24 |publisher=Army Times ] It should be noted that RBCD's "Blended-Metal Technology" (BMT) is a trademark and not a description of bullet composition. [cite news | publisher = Defense Review | | last = Vail | first = Dr. Sydney | title = The study of wound ballistics is based on a significant amount of science and a tremendous amount of art. | url=http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=875 | accessdate = 2007-07-07] 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"). [cite web|url=http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=78;t=001189 | title=LeMas unVail’ed--the Truth at last! | last=Roberts | first = Dr. Gary |date=2006-05-20 |accessdate=2007-07-11]

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." [ [http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/NAVSEA/N00164/N0016404R4846/SynopsisR.html | Sources Sought Notice N0016404R4846] ] 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. [cite news | publisher = Defense Review | | last = Vail | first = Dr. Sydney | title = The study of wound ballistics is based on a significant amount of science and a tremendous amount of art. | url=http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=875 | accessdate = 2007-07-07] As defined by the US military, true blended-metal bullets are not commercially available at this time.

References

External links

* [http://www.rbcd.net/ Official site of RBCD]
* " [http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/blackwater/?s=2003_main1 How the latest firearms stack up] ", John G. Roos, Armed Forces Journal (2003)
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea2es1K7QsQ] RBCD Video - Used with permission, J.E. Bennett (Dark Overlord Productions)