NovX 9mm P+ Ammunition
June 13, 2018
By Lane Pearce
Timberghost Tactical LLC recently introduced NovX 9mm Luger ammunition. Incorporating both a composite cartridge case and a composite bullet, NovX is very different from run-of-the-mill 9mm pistol ammunition. It's simply the lightest, strongest, and fastest ammunition you can safely fire in your favorite 9mm pistol.
The two-piece NAS3 case from Shell Shock Technologies combines a nickel-plated, hardened aluminum case head joined with a nickel-alloy stainless-steel case body. Pressure-tested up to 65,000 psi, it's much stronger than conventional cartridge brass but also approximately 50 percent lighter. That makes it the perfect choice for 9mm +P pistol loads.
According to NovX President Scott Shultz, Quantum Ammunition (formerly PolyCase) developed a 65-grain ARX self-defense bullet specifically for this new product. Made by injection-molding a copper/polymer composite material, it's a dramatic change from traditional jacketed/lead-core pistol bullets. The ARX bullet foregoes the typical expanding hollowpoint design by incorporating three "power vane" nose flutes to effect similar impact cavities but with the benefit of greater penetration.
Timberghost Tactical purchases these two unique components and assembles SAAMI "standard" and "+P" pressure-rated 9mm Luger ammunition. I was able to obtain samples of the +P ammo.
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NOTES: Accuracy is the average of two, five-shot groups fired from a sandbag benchrest. Velocity is the average of 10 rounds measured six feet from the guns' muzzles. The NovX ARX +P Engagement: Extreme self-defense ammunition has an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,710 fps and a muzzle energy of 422 ft-lbs. The RNP Cross Trainer +P load features a roundnose copper/polymer bullet with only a slightly reduced (1,690 fps) ballistic performance. Both NovX 9mm +P self-defense loads rival typical .45 ACP 230-grain FMJ muzzle energy.
I fired the new ammunition in a short-barreled Ruger LC9s and a full-size CZ-USA CZ75. The shiny, slick stainless/nickeled rounds chambered and ejected flawlessly. As the chart shows, velocity results support the manufacturer's performance specs.
The new NovX 9mm ammunition is packaged 26 rounds to the box. That's not a typo!
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MSRP: $28.99
novxammo.com
