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What is the twist rate of your barrel? You will need at twist rate of 1 in 8" to stabilize a 77 grain bullet. There is also the reduced load and speed you will get with a heavier bullet.
Most shooters turn to a 77 grain bullet to get better accuracy at long range, not to get more knock down power.
For self defense, the 55 grain bullet is hard to beat. At close range (under 75 yards) this round is truly devistasting. It will fragmnet on impact and do a lot of damage. In the current wars the military is involved with, there is a lot of open country and a lot of longer shots. The 223/5.56 does not perform well in that setting. If the 77 grain bullet would have helped; then the military would have gone to a heavy bullet a long time ago.
If you need more knock down power, get a larger caliber rifle.
FYI - I got curious and found that the largest animal taken with a 223 was a Polar bear! The guy didn't do this by choice. The animal walked into town and that was all he had. It took multiple shots at close range but the bear did go down. No humans eaten this time.
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