Small design changes, massive ballistic gains. Phantom Defense is taking 8.6 BLK to the next level – with Shell Shock Technologies NAS3 case technology under the hood.
Eubank, KY (April 2025) – Shell Shock Technologies, LLC. (SST), a leading innovator in the ammunition industry, is proud to announce a new licensing agreement with Phantom Defense under its recently launched License Program. Through this partnership, Phantom Defense will manufacture the 8.6 Blackout (8.6 BLK) cartridge utilizing SST’s revolutionary NAS3 two-piece case design.
Phantom Defense’s upgraded 8.6 BLK will be built using SST’s proprietary case architecture, offering significant performance improvements while ensuring manufacturing consistency. Utilizing SST’s custom-built assembly equipment and trusted U.S.-based vendor network, Phantom Defense can deliver ammunition that matches SST’s rigorous standards.
“Phantom Defense is the ideal partner to showcase how our case technology can take modern ammunition to new heights,” said Peter Foss, Managing Partner and CEO of Shell Shock Technologies. “Their 8.6 BLK line exemplifies how small design changes can result in massive ballistic gains. We are excited to see what comes next.”
Drawing on SST’s data from recent 7.62×51 testing, Phantom’s 8.6 BLK round is expected to achieve:
- 50 Percent Case Weight Reduction: from 185 grains to just 92.5 grains, significantly cutting overall ammo weight and shooter fatigue.
- Lower Chamber Pressure: from 35,000 PSI to ~33,125 PSI for the same velocity, reducing wear on firearms and improving shooter comfort.
- Enhanced accuracy and thermal efficiency for superior suppressed precision shooting.
This marks the first of several anticipated agreements as SST expands its licensing program. Discussions are underway with additional manufacturers seeking to differentiate their ammunition through improved ballistic performance, lighter weight, and reduced component costs. To learn more about SST’s licensing opportunities, contact Foss at [email protected].
About Shell Shock Technologies NAS3 Cases:
NAS3 cases are 50 percent lighter than brass cases, offer greater lubricity, and will not abrade, clog, foul, wear out, or damage breach and ejector mechanisms. The cases offer greater corrosion resistance, tensile strength (2x stronger), and elasticity than brass. NAS3 cases will not split, chip, crack, or grow (stretch), are fully reloadable (using S3 Reload dies), and can be reloaded many more times than brass cases. NAS3 cases have been tested successfully by customers to pressures over 70k psi. NAS3 cases can be picked up with a magnet. The head can be colored for branding purposes and easy load identification.
NAS3 is “Best in Class” for maintaining consistent velocity between rounds. In an independent test performed by H.P. White Laboratory (a major munitions testing facility), rounds fired using NAS3 cases achieved a velocity standard deviation of 0.093 FPS (124-grain FMJ bullet, 4.2 grains Titegroup powder, 10 rounds, extreme variation 3fps).
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About Shell Shock Technologies and Shell Tech Ammo:
Shell Shock Technologies, LLC (SST), headquartered in Eubank, Kentucky, is a leading innovator in advanced ammunition case design and manufacturing. Since 2015, Shell Shock has supplied hundreds of millions of high-performance cases to commercial ammunition companies, U.S. defense contractors, and international defense allies. The company’s patented, lightweight, and durable cases are engineered to enhance precision, reliability, and functionality across a variety of applications. Expanding on this legacy, Shell Shock introduced Shell Tech, a new line of factory-loaded, hand-inspected ammunition designed for hunters, sports shooters, and defense professionals. Produced at our Calhoun, Georgia facility, Shell Tech ammo brings unmatched quality, accuracy, and consistency directly to consumers.
Committed to ongoing innovation, Shell Shock’s engineers continually develop advanced materials and processes, including pioneering lightweight ammunition links for belt-fed machine guns. With a focus on performance, dependability, and customer satisfaction, Shell Shock and Shell Tech set a new standard in ammunition technology.
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