5.56x45 Defensive Ammo?

[Chris Rhines]

Okay, I've got this here 16" M4gery with a 1x9" twist barrel. I built it up as a sub-100-yard carbine for 3-gun games and defensive use. I plan on using mostly surplus 55-grain FMJ for practice and competition. For defensive work, that's another story. I'd like something a bit more effective.

What kind of ammo do you guys prefer, and why? Price is something of a factor (I plan on buying a half-case or so to test with) and simplicity is good.

- Chris

 

[Gary G23]

http://www.ammo-oracle.com
I use Winchester Q3131A.

 

[ShaiVong]

Same.

you might find this interesting too if you havent already seen it.

http://www.olyarms.com/223cqb.html

 

[DMK]

Interesting article ShaiVong.

Someday, I'd love to see somebody compare .223 against #4 buckshot(similar sized projectile) for HD/SD/CQB use.

 

[cordex]

I'm a Q3131A guy myself.
I hear a lot of good things about some of the new uber-heavy stuff (77-100gr), but if I can't afford to practice with it (or can't find a source at all, in the case of the 100gr), I don't want to try to use it defensively.

 

[Omega_7]

Marshall and Sanow

Indicate a 90 % plus stopping power with the ammo you are using now, with one torso shot. I don't think you are going to get much improvement on that
http://www.powernet.net/~eich1/sp.html

Personally I exclusively use the SS109/M855 63 grain mil spec penetrators in my ARs and Mini 14s

 

[cordex]

Ho boy ... Marshall and Sanow, you say?
*laughs*

 

[artherd]

Any .223 will put the guy DOWN. .223 has more muzzle energy than a .50AE Desert Eagle.


Now, from an overpenetration standpoint, not all rounds are created equal, and if you're using M855 in the home, you might as well be using a .308.


I have yet to see overpenetration results on the new Black Hills 77gr SMK loading, which I would very much like to see.

 

[Omega_7]

cordex

Everyone's entitled to an opinion. Personally I like to see real world shoots and no one else has compiled such a huge list spanning many years. I also like to see ballistic gelatin tests for the relative performance value of different loads. Let me ask you a "point blank" theoretical: Would you like to be hit dead center with a ss109? I wouldn't

 

[cordex]

Personally I like to see real world shoots and no one else has compiled such a huge list spanning many years.

There are plenty of other threads addressing M&S, and I don't want to haul Chris' thread too far off topic. I'll just say that what I've seen of M&S has demonstrated to me that they are not to be depended on as a study in reality. Someone whose statistics cannot tell the difference between a mediocre .40 S&W load and a 12 gauge or .308 make me laugh, but do not inspire a whole lot of trust.

Let me ask you a "point blank" theoretical: Would you like to be hit dead center with a ss109? I wouldn't

Nope. Wouldn't want to get hit with a BB gun either. Care to draw a conclusion from that?

But if you'd like to debate M&S, we should probably go to one of the M&S threads, eh wot?

Chris,
What surplus 55gr FMJ are you using for practice? And what price are you getting it at?

 

[natedog]

I have a hard time believing that .40 S&W is a better stopper than 10mm and 44 Magnum...

 

[ShaiVong]

Nate buddy, its not the cartridge; It's just that those of us who choose 40 S&W for our mall ninja operations tend to be incredibly deadly shots