When I used to read a lot of forum posts before I had an AR I thought they weren't reliable enough either. But I did notice over the years that there were fewer and fewer reports of unreliability. So after getting a 15-22 and enjoying the heck out of it, I got a M&P 15 and have enjoyed the heck out of it too. It's been totally reliable and I've even won a couple small competitions with it.
So, is it stocked with fmj right now? Nope. V-max. It's accurate and destructive.
I've seen at least three smallish Texas deer killed with .223. My boys killed two with my gun stoked with 64 grain Winchester power point. At about 75 yards both times the bullet remained intact and exited the deer. Both deer went less than 20 yards. Personally, I would not use this round for home defense because I would be more concerned with over penetration. I would absolutely use it again for hunting. Very impressive performance and accurate in my gun.
I also helped gut a deer shot at about 25 yards with a mini-14. I don't know what round was used, but I think it was a 55 grain soft point or fmj. This bullet completely fragmented and did not exit. The deer dropped immediately and its chest cavity was a complete mess of bloody jello. With a close range shot (as in home defense situations) a .223 is just plain devastating and effective.
Don't use green tip for HD and get a proven name brand AR; that's my advice and opinion.
So, is it stocked with fmj right now? Nope. V-max. It's accurate and destructive.
I've seen at least three smallish Texas deer killed with .223. My boys killed two with my gun stoked with 64 grain Winchester power point. At about 75 yards both times the bullet remained intact and exited the deer. Both deer went less than 20 yards. Personally, I would not use this round for home defense because I would be more concerned with over penetration. I would absolutely use it again for hunting. Very impressive performance and accurate in my gun.
I also helped gut a deer shot at about 25 yards with a mini-14. I don't know what round was used, but I think it was a 55 grain soft point or fmj. This bullet completely fragmented and did not exit. The deer dropped immediately and its chest cavity was a complete mess of bloody jello. With a close range shot (as in home defense situations) a .223 is just plain devastating and effective.
Don't use green tip for HD and get a proven name brand AR; that's my advice and opinion.