Ammo for my AR-15? 5.56 vs premium .223

[.cheese.]

I am trying to decide whether to get premium defensive .223 ammo like Hornady TAP (FPD), etc. or 5.56 ammo for my new AR-15.

I'll probably buy in bulk at some point as I will likely buy another identical AR to have as a duplicate.

On one hand I know 5.56 usually has higher velocity due to the hotter loading, and I could always get something like Black Hills MK262 (or whatever the civilian equivalent designation is)..... but then I have all ball ammo.

On the other hand if I get something like Hornady TAP (FPD) it will likely have lower velocity (unless I'm mistaken), but I get a hollow point design.

Both have advantages and disadvantages.

Given that the scenarios I'd be using the AR for defense would be likely extreme (assuming it EVER sees real defensive action - the chances of which are slim) as I use a handgun and/or shotgun for regular HD, I am leaning towards 5.56 to have that extra velocity and not worry about the HP as I probably would be more conerned about my life and the lives of my family members than I would about over-penetration at the time.

On the other hand, .223 has advantages as well in that (if I remember correctly) .223 conforms to tighter specs.... and a HP is always nice. Perhaps the HP's expansion would do more to disable the CNS of an attacker at rifle velocities..... or maybe it will do nothing.

Honestly - I'm no ballistics expert as you can tell. I admit my knowledge of this stuff is not what it should be, so any help is appreciated.

A little info about the rifle(s): 16" barrel with a 1/7 twist.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Check out some of the threads tacked at the top of the forum in the "Rifle Forum Reading Library" thread. There is a bunch of info on .223/5.56 ammo selection there. TAP is good ammo; but basically falls into two categories - open-tip match and ballistic tip. The ballistic tip TAP has reduced penetration characteristics - which is great if that is what you wanted; but not so great if you are say, hunting feral hogs or wanted more penetration.

As for the .223/5.56 angle, the main thing the extra velocity gets you is a tiny bit less accuracy and more effectiveness from really short barrels or at a distance. Up to 100yds, the better bullet design will more than make up for the loss of velocity for most .223 premium ammo coming out of a 16" barrel. If home defense is your primary goal, it will be a rare occasion you can legally justify a shot over 100yds away. Also, over 100yds, the extra velocity from the higher pressure 5.56 ammo might give it a slight advantage in some situations; but we are talking a very small difference.

Check out the Ammo Oracle as well. It is a fountain of information on 5.56 and .223 ammo.

 

[MMcfpd]

Also see Best Choices for Self-Defense Ammunition.

Presuming that you're going to also shoot the rifle some for practice and fun, I'd say buy .223 FMJ or FMJBT in bulk for that. With the 1:7 twist you can shoot heavier bullets, but the 55 and 62 gr. are cheaper.

 

[.cheese.]

well, so far for fun I've just been buying Remington UMC .223 55 grain.

 

[Byron]

The 5.56 M193 round is the best.It works.
In rgard to the UMC 55 grain fmj, a friend dropped a 10 point buck at 150 yards with a new Mini Ranch model. Byron

 

[Frog48]

My range doesnt allow FMJ, so I use Remington UMC 45 gr HP, or Monarch brass 55 gr SP.

They both function reliably, and are relatively cheap (compared to other commercial loads).

 

[glockman19]

I stick with Federal Lake City Manufactured American Eagle, Remington UMC and Winchester Q3131. I use bothe JHP & FMJ in 45, 50, 55 & 62 grain variants depending oun use. I also have some true M193 & M855.

 

[DWARREN123]

What kind of chamber does it have? What does the factory say to use? This can make a difference.

 

[MMcfpd]

Uh, yeah, DWARREN123 makes a point none of us addressed so far. If your rifle is chambered for .223 you don't want to fire 5.56 through it. I believe the Ammo Oracle linked above gets in to that.

The barrel is likely marked with the chambering.

 

[DMK]

16" barrel with a 1/7 twist.

IMO, Hornady's .223 TAP is over rated. You could buy Hornady's 223 75gr match ammo for much less. Black hills 75gr is good too. If you know an LEO friend who'd be willing to do it for you, have him order some "LEO only" Hornady 5.56 TAP for you. That's a bit hotter. You might find some on the AR15.com EE marketplace.

The Hunting Shack also loads some hot 75gr OTM that would be good too. Or at least they used to. I can't find it on their website now.

I bought some Black Hills 77gr 5.56 from Cabella's a while back. I keep that loaded in a couple mags for my 1/7 twist rifles and have some Black Hills 75gr OTM loaded in mags for my 1/9 twist rifles. I use M193 surplus and cheap Walmart FMJ for most practice.

 

[.cheese.]

it's a Lewis Machine and Tool AR. It will handle either 5.56 or .223.

 

[.cheese.]

well, I really want that 5.56 TAP now! I didn't realize they made it in 5.56. That's the best of both. I gotta figure out how to reasonably buy it.

 

[DogBonz]

My first mag...

Is loaded with 60gr Nosler Partitions, loaded by federal. I think that these are a good choice because you get all of the rapid expansion of a SP but the core is protected. We all know that the NP’s have a great reputation on all types of game in other calibers, so I figure that they should be just as good as any other round, if not better, in SD situations.

 

[.45&TKD]

Federal Lake City Manufactured American Eagle

Glockman19, where do you buy this?

 

[DMK]

Quote:
Federal Lake City Manufactured American Eagle

Glockman19, where do you buy this?

Sound like regular American Eagle that's just loaded on extra LC cases. There was a lot of talk about this on AR15.com a while back. It's nothing special unless you like the brass to reload.