5.56 ammo

Brutus · February 8, 2019, 06:49 PM

OK so I popped for a new AR15. 16" barrel, 1 in 7 twist. Bought it primarily as a range toy but what's the best heavy weight ammo for self defense purposes?
Please keep in mind that I'm an old fart whose definition of an assault rifle is a 1894 marlin in 44mag.

Doubt I'll ever use it on anything but targets, might come in handy for skunks.

Bartholomew Roberts · February 8, 2019, 07:10 PM

https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Se...ense_Ammo_FAQ/

Mobuck · February 8, 2019, 08:49 PM

" what's the best heavy weight ammo for self defense purposes?"

IMHO: N O N E!!!!!
Absolutely no reason for using "heavyweight ammo for SD" unless you expect the aggressor to be wearing body armor.

TJB101 · February 9, 2019, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bartholomew Roberts

https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Se...ense_Ammo_FAQ/

Nice read ... thanks for posting

Brutus · February 9, 2019, 07:14 AM

Thanks for the link Bartholomew, very informative. Wondering about the performance difference between his 20" barrel and my 16".

kymasabe · February 9, 2019, 07:51 AM

My home defense mag is loaded with .223 Hornady 75 grain BTHP. Might not be the best choice, but is my hog hunting round so...is what I have on hand.

Bartholomew Roberts · February 9, 2019, 11:42 AM

At under 25yds, I can’t think of a 5.56 bullet that has a major performance change going from 20” to 16”. In some cases, you get an inch or three more penetration as velocity goes down. I don’t think you’d have problems with any of the recommended loads unless you are going to a short-barrelled AR.

75gr Hornady and 16” ARs have been slaughtering pigs, deer, and other 200lb-ish mammals for a decade now, so I’d say it is a safe bet if you don’t need a barrier blind load. Not so great for meat hunting though.

Brutus · February 9, 2019, 01:58 PM

Bought some Federal 62gr. 5.56 x 45 ammo today. 420 rounds with a steel can. The bullets are in a 10 round stripper clips. Forgive my ignorance once again but what do you do with the stripper clips ?

kymasabe · February 9, 2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brutus

Bought some Federal 62gr. 5.56 x 45 ammo today. 420 rounds with a steel can. The bullets are in a 10 round stripper clips. Forgive my ignorance once again but what do you do with the stripper clips ?

You can buy stripper clip guides that mount onto G.I. mags and I believe even Magpul PMAGs, possibly others, them ram the rounds down the guide into the mag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QahtFolyXNA

ms6852 · February 9, 2019, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kymasabe

My home defense mag is loaded with .223 Hornady 75 grain BTHP. Might not be the best choice, but is my hog hunting round so...is what I have on hand.

I also use the same round and on my RRA, I find this particular round to be very accurate. This is the only bullet I buy for my AR15's. I have 2 one with a 20" heavy barrel that I use for long range target shooting. It performs very well at 500 and 600 yards and the same bullet I use as a home defense round for my 16'' barrel. This round I have used on hogs and it performs well.

Brutus · February 9, 2019, 03:42 PM

oohh! stripper clips are cool. Glad I asked, what'll they think of next.

Art Eatman · February 9, 2019, 07:42 PM

Brutus, I guess that stripper clips began with the bolt-action Mausers. Then, the GI M1 Carbine. They've been around for a while.

Dfariswheel · February 9, 2019, 08:38 PM

Probably the best TYPE of 5.56 home defense ammo would be most any soft point expanding sporting ammo in whatever bullet weight you want.
Personally I'd go with 55 or 62 grain soft point made by any American ammo maker.

Unlike FMJ this will expand and work better, plus won't tend to over-penetrate.

February 8, 2019, 06:49 PM	#1
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	5.56 ammo OK so I popped for a new AR15. 16" barrel, 1 in 7 twist. Bought it primarily as a range toy but what's the best heavy weight ammo for self defense purposes? Please keep in mind that I'm an old fart whose definition of an assault rifle is a 1894 marlin in 44mag. Doubt I'll ever use it on anything but targets, might come in handy for skunks. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

February 9, 2019, 07:14 AM	#5
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	Thanks for the link Bartholomew, very informative. Wondering about the performance difference between his 20" barrel and my 16". __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

February 9, 2019, 07:51 AM	#6
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	My home defense mag is loaded with .223 Hornady 75 grain BTHP. Might not be the best choice, but is my hog hunting round so...is what I have on hand. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

February 9, 2019, 01:58 PM	#8
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	Bought some Federal 62gr. 5.56 x 45 ammo today. 420 rounds with a steel can. The bullets are in a 10 round stripper clips. Forgive my ignorance once again but what do you do with the stripper clips ? __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

February 9, 2019, 03:42 PM	#11
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	oohh! stripper clips are cool. Glad I asked, what'll they think of next. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

February 8, 2019, 07:10 PM	#2
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Se...ense_Ammo_FAQ/

February 8, 2019, 08:49 PM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	" what's the best heavy weight ammo for self defense purposes?" IMHO: N O N E!!!!! Absolutely no reason for using "heavyweight ammo for SD" unless you expect the aggressor to be wearing body armor.

February 9, 2019, 11:42 AM	#7
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	At under 25yds, I can’t think of a 5.56 bullet that has a major performance change going from 20” to 16”. In some cases, you get an inch or three more penetration as velocity goes down. I don’t think you’d have problems with any of the recommended loads unless you are going to a short-barrelled AR. 75gr Hornady and 16” ARs have been slaughtering pigs, deer, and other 200lb-ish mammals for a decade now, so I’d say it is a safe bet if you don’t need a barrier blind load. Not so great for meat hunting though.

February 9, 2019, 07:42 PM	#12
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Brutus, I guess that stripper clips began with the bolt-action Mausers. Then, the GI M1 Carbine. They've been around for a while.

February 9, 2019, 08:38 PM	#13
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Probably the best TYPE of 5.56 home defense ammo would be most any soft point expanding sporting ammo in whatever bullet weight you want. Personally I'd go with 55 or 62 grain soft point made by any American ammo maker. Unlike FMJ this will expand and work better, plus won't tend to over-penetrate.