I need some help on .223 defensive ammo

That varmint ammo IS good enough and the $12 get 40 rounds, not 20 as with ball. Make sure that you check function in your rifle and magazines. Also, check the muzzle flash size, if too great, consider finding some military 55gr ball instead.
 
Contrary to popular belief the 5.56 has far less penetration than most would think, even the FMJ. What is the twist rate of your rifle? Some lighter rounds will fly apart if you run them through rifling that is too tight. Before I knew this I had several 40 gr Federal HP fly appart while traveling downrange. It has to hit the target for it to do you any good.
 
Rifles are generally bad indoors, but if that's all you have.. load a 55 grain softpoint or frangible. at CLOSE range 30 feet or so.. it should still be lethal (note I Don't agree with frangibles for long range shooting)
 
Opie..
You're good to go. That ammo is a bit pricey so just be on the lookout for better deals. Head over to AR15.com and read the forums for an education.
 
What dZ said.


That sight has the best info on the over-penetration issue. The military rounds will fragment, and shouldn't over-penetrate. Not sure about the hollowpoints...

For taking out a big 230lb 6'1 guy... a shotgun is gonna be a lot more reliable in terms of terminal effects than a .223, unless he's wearing body armor.

-Morgan
 
But one thing is for sure; you will have 100% first shot stopping power (FMJ or HP) .
Click to expand...

I'd have assumed the same thing until I read about the FBI's gone wrong arrest of Platt and Mattix in Miami several years ago. Several good guys took .223 rounds and continued fighting back.

PS, Not bashing the .223. A Deputy US Marshall spoke in one of my LE classes many years ago and talked about the only shooting he had been involved in.

He shot the man directly in the chest at 15 yards with a shotgun loaded with 00buck. He was shocked when the nutcase just looked at him for a second and then raised his gun to return fire. A second shot did the job. His point was that he had always assumed one shot from a shotgun would always get the job done, you should not assume things.
 
OK, FIRST, you shoot until the threat falls down and is no longer a threat. The so-called 'one-shot-stop' is simply one of those little statistical things that has NO PLACE in the field. It has probably gotten quite a few people hurt because they fired one round and stopped to look at the target.

SECOND, even fmj 5.56 has less measured penetration than a fmj 9mm. As some of you know, a HP going through wallboard can end up with the cavity filled, thus ending up performing like a fmj. The Hornady TAP URBAN (not the 75gr precision load) has proven itself to be a very effective round for entry use. Measured penetration on Gel is about 12" for the 55gr.

There is a BIG difference in the TAP precision and the TAP Urban in construction and fragmentation.
 
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