What 223 Rem. ammo is best for "self-defence"?

[New York Hunter]

I read in a magazine ("S.W.A.T", "Special Weapons for Military & Police" or "Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement" I can't remember) that Federal and Hornady has special ammo for the 223 Rem. (5.56x45mm NATO) for self-defense, specifically for home defense. I can't seem to find any information about it! The ammo was made to expand fast and transfer most of its energy without over penetration. Anyone know about this ammo or any other ammo that is really good for "home defense" ?

[coverdog]

Was it Hornady TAP?

[ElevenO]

The ammo in question is probably the hornady 75 grain TAP hollowpoint boat tail load and the federal gold metal match 77 grain hpbt load which employs a sierra matchking 77 grain hollowpoint bullet. The 77 grain load is known as the Mk 262 mod 0 in U.S. Military nomenclature and it was originally developed by the U.S. Navy SEALs as a combat round that was to be used out of the short barreled M4 carbines and the longer barreled Mk. 12 SPR "designated marksmen" rifles. There is also a newer Mk262 Mod 1 round which employs a nosler 77 grain hpbt load and it is identical to the mod 0 variant except for the addition of a cannelure. The mod 0 version has no cannelure whereas the mod 1 version does.

[New York Hunter]

Originally posted by coverdog
Was it Hornady TAP?
I think it was Hornady TAP. I don't recall the bullet weight, but 75 gr. seems a little heavy I think. Won't the 75 gr. bullets over penetrate even if they do expand really quick?

[series1811]

The FBI and DEA issue Federal Tactical .223 Bonded Soft Points in 62 grain, after their testing convinced them this round was the best one for the defensive scenarios they were facting.

[ElevenO]

Originally posted by New York Hunter
I think it was Hornady TAP. I don't recall the bullet weight, but 75 gr. seems a little heavy I think. Won't the 75 gr. bullets over penetrate even if they do expand really quick?


Nope or, at least, not according to some of the ballistic, 10% ordance gelatin, shooting results/photographs/jpegs that I have seen from time to time on ar-15.com.

My advice to you is to travel over to AR-15.com, click on the "AR-15" specific forum (and please keep in mind that there are about 6 different forums available on the primary arfcom website) and then click on the "ammunition" sub-forum. Before you ask any questions, take the time to read the "ammo-oracle" faq as there is tons of information located within that faq alone and it should square you away and answer most of the questions which you may have. Their "search" button should be able to handle the rest. Pay close attention to any post made by either "troy", "brouhaha" or "tatiana" over there as they are 3 of the resident experts on the ammunition forum.

I hope this helps.

[New York Hunter]

Originally posted by ElevenO
Nope or, at least, not according to some of the ballistic, 10% ordance gelatin, shooting results/photographs/jpegs that I have seen from time to time on ar-15.com.

My advice to you is to travel over to AR-15.com, click on the "AR-15" specific forum (and please keep in mind that there are about 6 different forums available on the primary arfcom website) and then click on the "ammunition" sub-forum. Before you ask any questions, take the time to read the "ammo-oracle" faq as there is tons of information located within that faq alone and it should square you away and answer most of the questions which you may have. Their "search" button should be able to handle the rest. Pay close attention to any post made by either "troy", "brouhaha" or "tatiana" over there as they are 3 of the resident experts on the ammunition forum.

I hope this helps.
I'll have to check it out. The problem I have with "AR15.com" is that I have tried to join their sight three times and I still can't post on it!:(

[ElevenO]

Originally posted by New York Hunter
I'll have to check it out. The problem I have with "AR15.com" is that I have tried to join their sight three times and I still can't post on it!:(


That's odd as I have never had a problem posting over there. At the very least, you should be able to lurk a little bit without to much of a hassle. In any case, I'll try to help you a bit with a few links.

Here's a link to the ammo oracle which used to be a FAQ over at arfcom ammo forum but it now has it's own dedicated webpage. Please keep in mind that the AO is a very large and graphics intensive website so it will take a little while to download if you are using a 56k connection. You have been warned. ;) http://www.ammo-oracle.com/

The following is a fragmention range reference chart for many of the more popular 5.56/.223 rifle loads. Source for this chart is, again, on ar15.com.
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg483p/BallisticsA.gif
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg483p/BallisticsB.gif
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg483p/BallisticsC.gif


This is a corresponding fragmention graph that was based upon the above fragmentation chart.
http://www.btammolabs.com/images/ball.htm


This is a link to a website which has information on various types of hornady rifle bulletshttp://membres.lycos.fr/shooter/rechargt/bullets.htm


Finally, here's another 5.56/.223 faq webpage that is totally separate from those that originate (or have originated) from ar15.com. This particular one comes from thegunzone.com.
http://www.thegunzone.com/556faq-nb.html


Again, I hope all of this information helps.

[New York Hunter]

ElevenO, I can't seem to pull up your link's. I can and do go on AR15.com and read the threads. I tried to sigh up over there and they never sent me my pass word so I can't reply to anything. I just sent an e-mail to one of their administrators so hopefully I'll get it straitened out soon!

[ElevenO]

I've corrected the links and have confirmed that they are correct by testing them after I edited my post. They're good to go now.

[New York Hunter]

ElevenO, yup, I can open your links now. I'm also all set at AR15.com. My name is the same over there as well. Thanks! ;c ;a