Best bullet for 5.56 self defense?

[Balrog]

I typically just load my AR with M193 55g FMJ, but was wondering if I want to switch to a different bullet that might be more effective. I think I want to stay with a 55g bullet if possible, at M193 velocity, so point of impact would be hopefully about the same.

Looks like most ammo sources are pretty dry right now, but what 55g bullets are better than M193?

 

[Hartkopf]

Depends on the gun but I don’t think point of impact will move much at all at self defense ranges if you went up to 62gr. I like 62gr soft points, preferably bonded. Also 62gr OTM disrupt within 3 inches which is usually better than the 55gr M193. Just something to consider if you happen to find 62gr and no 55gr.

 

[jmr40]

I like something with an expanding bullet, but not a varmint bullet. I shoot a variety of bullet weights from 50-75 gr in my AR's. Out to 200 yards there isn't enough difference in POI to matter. Don't overthink things.

 

[NR53]

62 grain OTM mk318

 

[Random 8]

I use the Speer 55gr JSP for a general purpose bullet in my AR. Works well on soft targets, varmints up to coyote. It has a good reputation on game as large as deer and hogs. I should assume it would work good on 2 legged predators as well. Don't believe there is a lot of difference between different manufacturers bullets in this weight and style. You will get violent expansion and enhanced penetration vs. VMAX and HP varmint types. Some of the lighter "match" HP loadings might do well also, but in my experience (limited to the 75 Hornady OTM) expansion can be erratic on soft targets.

 

[Orcon]

I defer to Clint Smith on this topic. Pistols put holes in people, rifles put holes through people, shotguns take some meat off. Take into consideration that M193 was used as a self defense cartridge for many folks in many applications.

 

[entropy]

55 gr. V-Max or 55 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint. I've seen what they do to the chest cavities of deer and coyotes at close range. My AR pistol has been loaded with them since the Mpls. riots.

 

[greyling22]

I was reading an interview with a professional hog hunter the other day, and his bullet of choice in 223 was the Sierra 69grn tmk. https://www.sierrabullets.com/product/22-caliber-69-gr-tmk/
223 wasn't his favorite hog round, but he said that tmk dropped them hard.

 

[denton]

62 grain TTSX is an outstanding bullet.

 

[Chuck R.]

I keep mine loaded with Speer 62grn Gold Dots (5.56 level handloads).

I live in the country and the carbine is more likely to be used against a coyote than in an HD situation.

 

[Bfh_auto]

55gr soft points are my choice. They expand well and are cheap.
I'm primarily defending against coyotes and opossums.
I do like tipped bullets. They get inside and work wonders.
My thoughts are; if it works on deer and coyotes, it will work on people.

 

[JShirley]

There are only a few bad choices in 5.56mm and .223.

M193 is a fine choice, but I prefer MK 262. Most of the OTMs should work well in 55-77 grain.

John

 

[748]

M193 impacting at around 3,000 fps does plenty of fragmentation.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

62 grain TTSX is an outstanding bullet.

Beat me to it. Barnes TSX and TTSX are probably outstanding in any caliber.

 

[GBExpat]

... I think I want to stay with a 55g bullet if possible, at M193 velocity, so point of impact would be hopefully about the same.

With that consideration, the first thing that comes to my mind is an identical form-factor, jacketed, ~55gr bullet with either a soft or hollow point.

 

[JShirley]

55gr soft points are my choice. They expand well and are cheap.
I'm primarily defending against coyotes and opossums.
I do like tipped bullets. They get inside and work wonders.
My thoughts are; if it works on deer and coyotes, it will work on people.

What works well on deer will work well against human threats, but varmint rounds that only penetrate 6" will not be a good choice. The Federal American Eagle 50 grain HP, for instance, is probably a superb varmint round, but doesn't have the penetration needed for most shots on deer, and I would only use it for defense if I was limited to a 7.5" 5.56x45mm absurdity.

 

[FL-NC]

I have never seen 5.56 fail to perform well against people (esp at short range) when the bullet(s) are placed in the vital plumbing. I have witnessed and participated in numerous "tests" of 5.56. This includes 55 grain ball, 62 grain "green tip", 77 grain MK 262, and 75 grain Hornady BTHP match. The main advantage of the heavier bullets was the accuracy and effects at longer range.

 

[BigBL87]

My current plan is to pick up some flavor of 55gr soft point in the near future since all my other ammo (FMJ, Vmax) is 55gr. Point of impact may be a bit off and longer ranges, but since it's going in my AR mag that gets kept in the safe for home defense situations, distance applications really don't matter. If whatever I'm shooting at is far enough away that the point of impact will change significantly, it is either (A) Too far away to be considered home defense or (B) some kind of four legged critter that the V-Max should be used on instead.

Don't have any yet because my AR is not my primary home defense firearm, that falls to my CZ P-07 or Mossberg 500 depending on the situation.

 

[Bfh_auto]

What works well on deer will work well against human threats, but varmint rounds that only penetrate 6" will not be a good choice. The Federal American Eagle 50 grain HP, for instance, is probably a superb varmint round, but doesn't have the penetration needed for most shots on deer, and I would only use it for defense if I was limited to a 7.5" 5.56x45mm absurdity.

I didn't mention 50gr bullets.

 

[Buzznrose]

I didn't mention 50gr bullets.

I think the point was that varmint specific rounds, the ones that are designed to minimize fur damage by basically fragmenting just under the skin and not exiting, are not really good for larger animals (including 2 legged ones)

 

[entropy]

With that consideration, the first thing that comes to my mind is an identical form-factor, jacketed, ~55gr bullet with either a soft or hollow point.

My hunting/SD load for my AR (and my son's Savage Axis and his AR) is 25.8 gr. of BL-C(2), 55 gr. V-Max or 55 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint with an OAL of 2.23" (nice easy number to remember) Very accurate from either the bolt or the AR's, devastating on the thoraxic cavity of deer and coyotes within any SD distance (son shot a deer at 225 yards with the V-Max version of this load, double lung shot, and it went 50 feet. He shot this one at 25 yards, the lungs were jelly, as was this coyote's in the pic that I shot with a Nosler Ballistic Tip at 25 yards from my [at the time, now my son's] Axis; both DRT.)


At SD distances, I believe one would net similar results on a human aggressor with these loads.

My plinking load is the same data with Hornady or Armscor 55 gr. FMJ. Both approximate M193 ballistics, as do the varmint bullets. So as in the 'how much of your ammo is SD?' thread, I have plenty.

My current plan is to pick up some flavor of 55gr soft point in the near future since all my other ammo (FMJ, Vmax) is 55gr.

Read this post. If you don't reload, or don't want to use reloads for SD, I recommend Hornady Superformance 55 gr. V-Max. My AR is the 'the riot is coming this way' gun, I will survive it first, then hire a good ballistics expert if needed.

Don't have any yet because my AR is not my primary home defense firearm, that falls to my CZ P-07 or Mossberg 500 depending on the situation.

I thought that way too, until the Minneapolis Riots. Fortunately, my hunting round is exactly what you describe. The AR is also kept nearby with my .45 ACP and 12 ga.

 

[briansmithwins]

I live in an suburb and am surrounded by houses built with plastic cladding and drywall.

To try and keep my problems from becoming my neighbors problems my rifle is loaded with 50gr V-max varmint bullets. Those start falling apart when they hit anything and produce shallow, explosive wounds.

BSW

 

[Bfh_auto]

I think the point was that varmint specific rounds, the ones that are designed to minimize fur damage by basically fragmenting just under the skin and not exiting, are not really good for larger animals (including 2 legged ones)

I strongly disagree with that. 55 grain blitz kings have accounted for 6 deer per season by my nieces for the last 7 years. Not one of them got away.

 

[zdc1775]

My current HD ammo in my AR is a 53gr V-Max over a max load of Varget. While I have luckily not had to use it on any 2 legged animals it has done quite well on coyotes and I have no doubt that it will work the same on an intruder.

 

[Offfhand]

Whenever shooting in self-defense be sure to use lead-free bullets. That way you'll be environmentally correct and have the tree-huggers on your side.