55 or 62gr for urban SHTF?

[JellyBelly]

I've got about 2k rounds for my AR. Half are 62gr and half 55.

Which ones should be the "go to" rounds first, and why?

Actually, the first two magazines I keep ready to go are loaded with 55gr Hornady TAP-FPD ammo, but I'm thinking more along the lines of which bullet weight to stockpile "just in case". ;)

[chR|5]

My advice, keep the one load you shoot the best, and the one you will practice with. No use stocking something you haven't extensively shot and tested. I've heard nothing but good things about "TAP"s.;) :supergrin:

EDIT-beh,For Personal Defense:clown:

[c4igrant]

From what I know about SF groups (ARMY and NAVY) and their ammo choices, I would either run M855 or MK262.

My HD weapon has 75gr TAP in it. I shoot and stockpile M855 though.


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[RMTactical]

I prefer XM193 because it has superior terminal ballistics to XM855. That said, they are both decent and will both do their part if you do yours, but XM193 is my preferred stockpile round, although I do have some XM855 as well as other loads such as 55gr Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claw and 68gr Black Hills OTM, but not nearly as much as I have XM193.

[c4igrant]

Originally posted by GoreLicks
I prefer XM193 because it has superior terminal ballistics to XM855. That said, they are both decent and will both do their part if you do yours, but XM193 is my preferred stockpile round, although I do have some XM855 as well as other loads such as 55gr Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claw and 68gr Black Hills OTM, but not nearly as much as I have XM193.

No doubt that M855 has some over penetration issues, but my understanding for the reason why it is chosen is because it is the most reliable round made. The group that runs it would rather put rounds into the bad guy than nothing at all! :)


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[MrMurphy]

With a 20" barrel the 855 will perform as intended and generally do what it's intended to do. Out of shorter barrels it gives up tumbling etc past 150-200m. It has good penetration etc.

With a 20 or shorter barrel, the 193 will perform fine, although you lose a tiny bit of accuracy at 300m+ and it doesn't penetrate armor as well.

The 77gr stuff tends to drop whatever it hits in their tracks, however, it doesn't penetrate armor very well from what I understand.

[c4igrant]

Here is some good info on the ranking of defensive loads: http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=185

You will notice that 193 and 855 are at the bottom of the list.



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[Panzerfaust]

If that's the range you are talking about, the best effect will be HP or polytip.

I use 60gr. Hornady V-Max, myself.

[c4igrant]

Originally posted by Panzerfaust
If that's the range you are talking about, the best effect will be HP or polytip.

I use 60gr. Hornady V-Max, myself.

Please read the thread I linked above your post. It will change your mind.


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[epsylum]

Originally posted by c4igrant
Here is some good info on the ranking of defensive loads: http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=185

You will notice that 193 and 855 are at the bottom of the list.



C4

Yeah, but they are way cheaper to stockpile than TAP. It's better than nothing and at least is not on their "not recommended" list.

Besides I have a 1:9 barrel and some of the heavy stuff may not like it.

[c4igrant]

Originally posted by epsylum
Yeah, but they are way cheaper to stockpile than TAP. It's better than nothing and at least is not on their "not recommended" list.

Besides I have a 1:9 barrel and some of the heavy stuff may not like it.

Stock piling ammo for a SHTF scenario and keeping a couple hunderd rounds of TAP on hand for a more realistic break-in situation are two different things IMHO.

I personally try and stock pile XM855 as I believe it to be the most reliable round available. If I had a 1/9 twist barrel, then I would stock pile XM193.


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[c4igrant]

Originally posted by epsylum
Yeah, but they are way cheaper to stockpile than TAP. It's better than nothing and at least is not on their "not recommended" list.

Besides I have a 1:9 barrel and some of the heavy stuff may not like it.

Stock piling ammo for a SHTF scenario and keeping a couple hunderd rounds of TAP on hand for a more realistic break-in situation is two different things IMHO.

I personally try and stock pile XM855 as I believe it to be the most reliable round available. If I had a 1/9 twist barrel, then I would stock pile XM193.


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[DaleGribble]

Originally posted by c4igrant
The group that runs it would rather put rounds into the bad gun than nothing at all! :)

Freudian slip?

I'm sorry, but this is a forum about AR's, so I had to do it!

:supergrin:

[c4igrant]

Originally posted by DaleGribble
Freudian slip?

I'm sorry, but this is a forum about AR's, so I had to do it!

:supergrin:

LOL, good catch! I type to fast for my own good sometimes. :)


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[Razoreye]

Originally posted by c4igrant
LOL, good catch! I type to fast for my own good sometimes. :)


C4 Gettin' much sleep with the new baby around? :supergrin:

[c4igrant]

Originally posted by Razoreye
Gettin' much sleep with the new baby around? :supergrin:

About 5 hours. :help:


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[RMTactical]

Originally posted by c4igrant
No doubt that M855 has some over penetration issues, but my understanding for the reason why it is chosen is because it is the most reliable round made. The group that runs it would rather put rounds into the bad guy than nothing at all! :)


C4

I'm not sure what you mean by "most reliable round made".

[epsylum]

Originally posted by c4igrant

I personally try and stock pile XM855 as I believe it to be the most reliable round available. If I had a 1/9 twist barrel, then I would stock pile XM193.


C4

Good to know. I just ordered some 855 and ahave about half a case of 193 left. I will shoot the 855 (besides it's cheaper) and keep the 193 and get some more if I can.

[Sierra]

A ranges associated with an "urban" environment (<150 yards) the point of aim/impact would be virtually identical so the question must be penetration vs fragmentation. Give me the 55 grainers.

[Panzerfaust]

Please read the thread I linked above your post. It will change your mind.

Interesting, but I'm not convinced, and unless you can show me something like a jello monster that shows what it does wrong that other rounds do right, I'm going to have a hard time disbelieving what I saw with my own eyes in person shooting one of my home loaded 60gr. V-max's at a jello cube (yes, a ballistic jello cube) 3 times over.

It made quite a mess 8 inches in, and granted, didn't go farther, but the final wound channel was bigger than a softball. The V-max rounds I use are reloaded, and reach 2900ft/sec from a 16" barrel.

Admittedly, I use 69gr ammo most of the time, and would grab this before the other in a SHTF situation, but if I knew I was going to be fending off looters or home intruders, especially ones I knew wouldn't be body armored, either round will take them down.

[TimP]

I ran into a stash of Ranger 223 ammo ( 1000rds ) for a good price so I bought it.

I have a few thousand rounds of IMI 223

4000 rds of wolf fmj

500 rds wolf XM193, hey it works great in my rifle.

[c4igrant]

Originally posted by Panzerfaust
Interesting, but I'm not convinced, and unless you can show me something like a jello monster that shows what it does wrong that other rounds do right, I'm going to have a hard time disbelieving what I saw with my own eyes in person shooting one of my home loaded 60gr. V-max's at a jello cube (yes, a ballistic jello cube) 3 times over.

It made quite a mess 8 inches in, and granted, didn't go farther, but the final wound channel was bigger than a softball. The V-max rounds I use are reloaded, and reach 2900ft/sec from a 16" barrel.

Admittedly, I use 69gr ammo most of the time, and would grab this before the other in a SHTF situation, but if I knew I was going to be fending off looters or home intruders, especially ones I knew wouldn't be body armored, either round will take them down.

As they said in the article, the V-max type bullets are a no joy for defense. By the way, the person that ran that test, does the ballistic wound testing for the USN. ;)


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