Ranger T ammo availability without LE credentials

[Kenk]

Evening,
I am able to locate and buy Federal's HST / 50 rd boxes without any availability issues whatsoever, however the Ranger T ammo is next to impossible to purchase without LE credentials. I understand that Federal and Winchester market these rd's for law enforcement, but is not illegal to buy or possess them if you are non law enforcement, at least in most states. Any ideas for online purchase locations for the T series ammo
Thanks

Ken

[SPDSR]

Eagleeyeguns.com I believe. While I have credentials for Winchester and Hornady restricted sales, I've bought a few from eagleeye and was never asked. They usually have Ranger T series 50 rd boxes in stock.

[Kenk]

Thanks man, I recently completed a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice, I know a midlife career change, but have not worked for an agency or department

Ken

[Kenk]

150 Rounds (3 boxes) Winchester Ranger T Series RA9124TP - 9mm +P 124 grain for 108.00 + shipping. Not the greatest deal, but they are on the way 😀
Thanks Man!

[Rojo27]

It can be challenging to find sometimes but I'm usually successful without too much trouble.  In the event they aren't supposed to be selling it without credentials (50 round boxes); I'll PM you some of the suppliers I've gotten it from.   

[Kenk]

Thanks much Rojo, it's grealy appreciated my Friend!

[SPDSR]

No problem. It's not illegal, just a cheesy policy Winchester and Hornady have for their dealers. SGAmmo has 9mm Ranger Bonded in stock, but not the T-series. The Ranger T-series are akin to the HST, excellent expansion with good penetration but slightly lacking in glass and hard barrier penetration. The Ranger Bonded series are akin to the Gold Dot with slightly less expansion, a little more prone to not opening up, but outstanding barrier penetration.

[Rojo27]

Agreed there the issue isn't do to legal prohibitions (except in places like New Jersey of course) t's just stupid company policies as it relates to packaging.  Just has been described about Underwood and other manufactures.  It's far more profitable for them to package & sell smaller quantities.  However, for whatever reasons Winchester doesn't sell the Ranger T in smaller packages.  Course they offer the PDX1 which is the same a s Ranger Bonded (as far as the projectile is concerned).  The Winchester "Defend" line is basically the Ranger T with slightly smaller barbed petals. 

Course the Ranger T is the direct descendent of the famous or infamous Black Talon from early 90's.  Nearly the same projectile as today's variant but coated in Lubalox (oxidizer + cool black color).  Which we all know isn't Teflon nor imparts absolutely no magical armor piercing qualities.  Early example of "fake news!!"

[SPDSR]

The PDX = the Defend = the Ranger Bonded. 3 names, same projectile. I don't believe the non-bonded Ranger T series are sold in any "civilian" variant.

[Kenk]

Thanks Spdsr

[Kenk]

Well, was able to order 3 boxes of Winchester Ranger T Series 9mm +P 124 grainers from Eagle Eye Guns LLC (LE credentials were not required for this order) It wasn't the greatest deal, but they are on the way / have already received a tracking number 😀 The biggest down fall that I can see is that they require a 3 box minimum for any order
Thanks again!

Ken

https://www.eagleeyeguns.com/Default.asp

[Kenk]

Question on the difference in packaging of the Ranger ammo. The Ranger T that I bought is in a black box, yet Winchester also offers the Ranger in a brown box (large star on the right side), however nothing about T is mentioned. I have seen the brown box that says (Bonded) yet the attached does not mention Bonded anywhere ...Thoughts?

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[SPDSR]

If it's the Bonded or T versions, it will say so on the box. The product code will also have T or B after RA. The picture is neither, it's just the Ranger lol.  Winchester has the most convoluted and ridiculous naming scheme and they are terrible about explaining the differences. From what I understand, there are currently 3 expanding types of ammo in the Ranger series: Bonded Ranger, Ranger T, and just Ranger. I have no idea what the "plain" Ranger is, but I don't think anyone uses it lol. It's just one of the many iterations of the bullet that they hung on to. In 9mm the "plain" Ranger is only available in 115 gr, whereas the Ranger T and Bonded Ranger don't come in 115. Winchester has had multiple variations and changed little things over the years without changing the names.

Black boxes are just the newer colored ones I believe. So all three types of Ranger can be in tan or black boxes, the tan ones are just older.

[Rojo27]

Without the T designation my guess is you'll likely end up with the Ranger Bonded (PDX1).....
In my previous Winchster Ranger T 9mm 147gr purchases (both brown box & black box) the boxes said Ranger T.  Also has product code RA9T present. 


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[Rojo27]

The Ranger bonded designation is RA9B.

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