Ruger/Polycase ARX .380 Ammo

[Carl in CT]

I bought some of this Ruger ARX .380 ammo this past fall and finally got the chance to shoot it. It is by Ruger but uses the Polycase ARX bullet and I think is pretty much the same as the Polycase Interceptor in .380. Velocity is pretty good for a .380 at 1315 fps because it uses a very light 56 grain molded metal/polymer bullet.

I only shot 25 rounds but it all went fine. No jams, no FTF, no FTE, no problems of any kind. I was shooting through my Kahr CW380. It has a steep feed ramp even for a subcompact pistol so I was concerned how a non-traditionally shaped bullet would feed. 25 rounds and all fed perfectly.

Accuracy seemed quite good. I didn't do any paper targets but I was hitting the metal plates just as well if not better with the ARX as with HPR FMJ or Critical Defense XTPs. Recoil seemed a tad less than the other ammo with more normal weight bullets. Not that a .380 kicks a lot but in a very light subcompact pistol even the .380 can be a tad snappy but these were not.

I really want to try the Leheigh Extreme Penetrator but they are expensive and I can't find them locally (adding shipping online makes them even more expensive). They also have a more squared bullet face than these ARX bullets so I'm still not sure how they will feed if I ever do get my hands on some.

The Ruger ARX were $20 for a 25 round box at Kittery Trading Post in Kittery ME. I saw them locally in CT but I didn't see the price and I didn't have time to ask. So they aren't cheap but not bad for a good SD round.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/micros/ammo/index.html


These are the Lehighs I mentioned. Much heavier all copper bullet at 90 grains, which is more normal and of course they are quite a bit slower at 950 fps. The heavier bullet may track better in the soft tissue of the target so I would probably prefer these if they feed, if I can get any and if they don't cost a mint. That said, the Ruger ARX are on shelves locally, not too expensive and feed perfectly.

http://www.lehighdefense.com/product...ant=1066236304

Hope that helps anyone wondering about these weird little bullets.