Winchester RANGER ONE is specifically marketed to law enforcement use.
Winchester announced the release of its new RANGER ONE ammunition specifically tailored for law enforcement users. RANGER ONE ammunition line is a part of Winchester’s commitment to advance ammunition quality and performance through modern technology-driven manufacturing practices.
The RANGER ONE ammunition incorporates the latest technology using bonded bullets for superior performance. In addition, these new bullets will feature a proprietary rigid, fluid directing, polymer insert in the hollow point cavity. This innovative design is marketed as advancing the bullet’s expansion upon impact, while reducing the adverse effects of intermediate barriers to the target, such as drywall or clothing.
Winchester has been producing quality ammunition for 150 years, and still remains a top competitor in the ever-growing and diverse ammunition market. The new RANGER ONE law enforcement ammunition line appears to be another great offering by the iconic company very familiar to many law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and abroad.
The new Winchester RANGER ONE ammunition line could redefine LEO ammunition selections.
Winchester RANGER ONE Ammunition
The new Winchester RANGER ONE law enforcement ammunition is specifically designed for reliable performance under the most extreme circumstances. The RANGER ONE ammunition is capable of penetrating intermediate barriers and still delivering terminal ballistics on target. Winchester uses a bonded bullet containing a proprietary rigid, fluid directing, polymer insert within the hollow-point cavity. This unique design ensures optimum performance is maintained upon impact with the target, despite any interference with intermediate barriers.
| Penetration | Expansion | Retained Weight % | Retained Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Gelatin | 13-inches | 0.644 inches | 99.1 | 144.99 grains |
| Heavy Cloth | 13.7-inches | 0.577 inches | 99.5 | 145.55 grains |
| Wallboard | 13.1-inches | 0.607 inches | 99.5 | 145.59 grains |
| Plywood | 16.6-inches | 0.517 inches | 99.5 | 145.59 grains |
| Steel | 17.5-inches | 0.476 inches | 99.4 | 145.49 grains |
| Auto Glass | 12.8-inches | 0.476 inches | 67.5 | 98.75 grains |
The proprietary rigid, fluid directing, polymer insert ensures users can be confident the Winchester rounds will be able to penetrate drywall, heavy clothing, or other material and still provide maximum expansion upon impact with soft tissue.
When the RANGER ONE hollow point impacts the target, the rigid polymer insert assists in maximum expansion and segmentation of the petal-designed layers of the bullet. This expansion provides enormous threat-stopping energy transfer, while the bonding manufacturing process ensures the bullet will maintain its mass integrity while obtaining maximum penetration depth. In a definite nod to law enforcement, the RANGER ONE polymer insert is blue in color.
Specifications
- Caliber: Currently only 9mm
- Bullet Weight: Currently only 147-grain
- Casing: 9mm Luger, nickel-plated
- Powder: Clean burning, low flash
- Primer: Non-corrosive, boxer type
- Waterproofing: Lacquer applied to primer and waterproofing to mouth of case
- Velocity: 1010 fps nominal velocity from 4″ barrel
Currently, Winchester is offering the RANGER ONE ammunition in a 147-grain 9mm Luger cartridge. The selection of 9mm is aimed at reaching a diverse segment of law enforcement, and personal defense shooters, and is only the beginning of this line of ammunition.
The FBI recently transitioned to 9mm, and many other law enforcement agencies are beginning to recognize the manufacturing advancements and shooter benefits of using 9mm.
According to the documentation on this new load, it was designed for the best performance out of a 4″ or longer barrel. I am interested to see how it works in a shorter barrel. Many officers carry backup guns like the Glock 43. Performance from subcompact pistols is important.
Final Thoughts
Winchester has produced high-quality ammunition for over a century and has been the selection of many law enforcement agencies.
The new RANGER ONE ammunition appears to continue the tradition of high-quality ammunition while adding the unique and proprietary features of the fluid-directing hard polymer insert. This is another great advancement in ammunition technology, particularly in the demanding realm of law enforcement.
Winchester has been putting a lot of effort into the self-defense and law enforcement markets. For example, the company has a line of ammo that pairs an inexpensive FMJ round with a more expensive JHP round so you can train with a ballistically identical load. Read my Winchester Train & Defend review for more informaiton.
We hope the RANGER ONE ammunition lives up to its advertising and spurs even further advancements for officers on the streets.
Update
As of April 2020, Winchester still only lists a single load in the new Ranger One ammo line. We’ve not had a chance to test it, and have not found any for sale to pick up.
If you know of a retailer that has any, please let us know in the comments section below.
KC says
Curious to see if Winchester will produce this round in a 147 +P, like the Ranger they manufacture that my distributor says doesn’t exist. Apparently Winchester makes a 9mm 147 +P for the feds, Part #Q4463, for their recent change over to the 9mm, but no one else seems to be able to get.