Has Anyone Actually Experimented With Frangible .223 Ammo?

[Davek1977]

Saw-bones....Please, for the sake of m entertainment, explain your rationale here. I simply dont understand the idea of purposely wounding someone, but not killing them outright, but then doing so at some point later if they continue to be a threat. That is effectively what you were saying right? If not, please clarify, as what you are saying goes against common sense, legal precedents, and frankly, "warzone experience"
really isn't germane to a conversation on home defense. I for the life of me cannot fathom why you think this would be an intelligent course of action. If you realize it is a poor choice, but desire to go with such a plan regardless.....WHY? Frankly, I can't wrap my head around any practical reason why you'd find it prudent to shoot anyone WITHOUT a desire to incapacitate them. Thats the ONLY reason to shoot a threat is to eliminate a threat.

 

[Jim Higginbotham]

Usually my home defense practice has been with a handgun. Lately, I have occasionally been going through the paces using an AR-15 pistol with a 10.5” barrel. Jacketed and FMJ ammo would not be suitable to my situation due to these projectiles easily going through drywall and wreaking havoc.

While I have seen ads for frangible ammo, I have never actually used it or seen it used. I would appreciate it if our members could provide me with some insight and opinions about their experience with it.

Thanks….. Doc

I shot a Raccoon with Federal 50 gr. frangible factory ammo - the wound only went one inch deep though it was more than 2" wide. It may have eventually died but I ended up chasing it down and killing it with a pistol so it would not suffer.

There is not a single frangible round I'd trust my life to for self defense against anything that weighs over 10 lbs. OTOH the FBI tested M193 ball from 16" barrels and found it was much safer from over-penetration than nearly all conventional JHP designs in any pistol caliber they might carry - at least in standard construction (sheet rock) walls.

Nothing that will penetrate adequately in humans can be guaranteed not to penetrate some though.

Good luck with your search.

Jim H.

 

[Axis II]

my buddy gave me several boxes of some frangible hollow points a few years back and i wasn't impressed with the accuracy. at 50-100yards it shot a basketball size group so if you want accuracy buy a box and give it a try before spending a lot of money on it.

 

[grampajack]

I am a big fan of frangible ammo as long as it is DRT. After I found these and used them I am convinced they might be the best bullet on the planet. Things to know( that I have learned )
A 55 gr frangible is the same length and bearing surface as a 68gr match bullet, they will go thru 3" of pine ( that's all I have tried so far) exit hole is same size as entry. When they hit a deer entry hole is about two fingers wide, meat and fat around entry will be blown out like a exit hole. Looks like pressure builds up inside and blows out. Blood will fly four feet from impact with meat and fat mixed. Lungs and heart will be like jello. No exit hole, but will be peppered hide on far side
I have pictures if I only knew how to put them on here. I don't make anything if you use them, I don't lose anything if you don't, but if you want to kill whatever is in front of you these frangibles will get it done.

I think there are better options in general, but I wouldn't hesitate to use this from a standpoint of potential lethality. However, I suspect it would penetrate interior walls more readily than your average 55gr FMJ. I would also be somewhat concerned what effect bone might have on this stuff. I could see it hitting a bone and turning to powder before having a chance to do much of anything, especially the high velocity ones, namely .223. I'm not saying it would, just that it's an unproven concept that doesn't seem to offer any tangible advantage over the conventional options. I just didn't see anything that would make me choose these over something with a long track record.

Regarding the 9mm, I really think that would be a poor choice. It fragmented way too early for my taste. It really reminds me of the RIP ammo the way it behaves. Not a good thing at all IMHO.

 

[ponchh]

Your right about wall penetration, might go thru a few walls. Like one of the others said, that magic bullet isn't out there that will work on target but not hurt what is behind it on a miss. And they will pass thru bone like paper and a 2" concrete cap block then penetrate 14" more.
GY6VIDS does a good video about that.

 

[reddog81]

So you want to a rifle round, but in in a short barrel, and use non-penetrating frangible ammo as to only wound a person, but would then use a handgun to finish the job. That is the craziest logic I've seen in years of visiting this forum.

You might as well just choose a 25 ACP and have the best of both worlds...