5.56/.223 for defense

[Shawn.L]

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[Warners Surplus]

I use 68gr HP.

Reason is,

2 weeks ago I got the chance to do a bunch of testing with/for a local PD. We tested 60gr Nosler Ballistic Tip w/cannuler, 60gr Hornady V-Max (I thought would be the winner) 62gr FMJ and 68gr HPBT.

1.We tested on car glass (windsheild and side)
2.car doors
3. Bullet test tubes (a new kind of bullet testing media that appears to be a mix of bees wax)
4. Bullet proof glass from 1/2in to 2" thick
5. 1/4 mild steel
6. 12 layers of 1/2 sheetrock each seperated by 2x4's to mimick interior walls.

after the work was done we got to run a function test of 2500rnds thru a FA AR


All tests were photographed and video taped and clearly the 68gr BTHP was the only choice out of the 4 rounds tested.

Once photobucket is back up and I have a few spare moments, I'll post a few pics from the testing.

on a side note: the success or failure is greatly determined by vlcty on the 68gr, too fast and the bullet breaks up on impact. too slow and it fails to expand or fragment.


Rich W.

[Shawn.L]

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[Kaos]

Shawn, the hornady tap is designed for home/personal defense.

It's about 20-25 bucks a box for 20 rounds. I keep 20 rounds in a mag in my safe near the AR at all times. They've got clever marketing for sure, but the ballistics I've read and the gelatin test i've seen are damn good enough for me in my home. I carry TAP 147gr 9mm too.

Here's a cross shot of what they look like in the mag and what the box looks like.




I've only tested it in the IPSC bays at PMSC since I figure for the moment Im not going to be defending myself in my house with my AR beyond realy 10-20 feet, so 25 yards would be sufficient. I keep the 5.56 nearby for longer distances. The TAP was really really accurate, recoil didn't change much at all (just a dash more but pretyt much comparable to their standard VMAX hunting loads which are hotter than wolf), I had no feeding issues and no ejection issues.

The kind I have is 55gr running out of my 16" with 1:9 twist.
Wish I had a chrono to test velocity myself, but the box says 3,240 FPS at the muzzle.

[TonyF]

75 Gr NATO TAP. Outstanding terminal performance.

But only if you're rifle has a 5.56 NATO chamber. A 1:7 twist barrel is highly recommended but may not be significant at HD distances.

[Shawn.L]

......................

[TonyF]

I have a RRA Wylde chamber, supposed to shoot 5.56 and .223 equally well. 1:8 twist SS.

75 Gr NATO TAP is hot. If you plan on using it, I'd first call RRA and ask them.

[Kaos]

I wish dunhams carried heavier gr's than 55 in the TAP. I've got two boxes of the 55gr so far.

Good stuff any way you cut it.

[Atomic Dog]

Decided to revive this thread from the dead rather than start a new one.


A coworker of mine gave me some .224 projectiles because he no longer reloads that caliber. I was planning on loading at least 2 mags to keep around. I have:

80ish 70gr Barnes TSX

and

250 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip


Both seem to have good reviews and good expansion. Obviously I can load more of the Nosler but which would be the best for home defense and the occasional groundhog/raccoon?

[Farbmeister]

Why not go for one of the 'new' 6.x rounds.. heck at 80+ grains you're gonna need a long tube.

.223 is not a home defense round. It goes through things... lots of them... your walls (ALL OF THEM) will not stop it unless it hits a few studs.

The 'Box o Truth' did some test on it.

If you want home DEFENSE you should consider nothing more complicated that a revolver (.380-9mm maybe .45ACP if you have a small penis and need to compensate).

Why not a pistol? They can jam. Revolvers have 5-6 rounds, but unless they break, they will go bang.

For DEFENSE you want SIMPLE, SMALL, and QUICK. An AR is none of them.