What ammo for 10.5 barrel 5.56 for rural defence use?

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RAINS

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I like to hike/bike all over here in Oregon. Live in a very wet brushy area. Usually just pack a .45 wile hiking/biking a long distance. Where I live one can hardly see past 50-100 yards. However I'm planning to head south and explore new ground this spring/summer. That puts me into more open areas. Not vast open ranges but still further than my .45 will work for.
Have a sig 556 SBR transferring threw now. 10.5 barrel 1/7 twist and 5.56x45 caliber. It will be carried for self defense for hiking and cycling. Worried about crazies in trucks and pot growers mainly at 25-250 yards.
What the heck sort of ammo should I pack? Was thinking about some 62g pmc X-tac or maybe some heaver 75g BTHP ammo. Any thoughts gents?
I'd work up my own load but I can't shoot steel case or reloads in my sig due to it's lifetime warranty that I don't want to void. Any input from SBR owners would be much appreciated. Thanks!


R
 
I would go with Black Hills Mk 262 Mod1. Its a 77gr otm in 5.56mm. I believe thats what the mil is running in their mk 18's an HK 416. Origninally designed for the SPR, the Mk 262 was designed to be more leathal at longer ranges than m855 due to its ability to yaw, fragment, and expand at lower velocity. The 75gr will work well also but I have not been able to find it in the 5.56mm only in .223.

RMH
 
The downside of the heavier loads in an SBR is even less velocity. I would look at a solidly constructed HP (something bonded or copper) in a lighter weight. The bonded copper construction will keep it from disintegrating and the lighter weight will get you some extra velocity out of the short barrel - Black Hills Barnes 50gr TSX?

IIRC, the "ideal" load for the MK18 is 70gr Optimal (brown tip) which isn't available to civilians; but since we aren't bound by the laws of land warfare, that may not be a bad thing.
 
Doesn't matter what load you use.

The muzzle blast & flash from a 10.5" .223 will knock their socks off.
And yours too!

rc
 
Actually, after a second thought I recommend you forget about the warranty and shoot whatever (no steel case for me) rounds you want. Reloads of your own if you're a skilled reloader anyway. Personally I'd save enough in ammunition to buy a spare gun in the first year.
 
I'll tell you what, the Nosler Partition 60gr do a FINE job at taking out 250lb pigs. Couldn't believe how hard they hit for a little .223 round pushed with 25gr of H335.

They will retain expansion velocity out to 95-110 yards or so out of a 7.5" barrel, (1800 fps I think. I have to check my notes). So, I presume they would be fine in a 10.5" barrel as well.

The heavier the bullet, the less velocity loss, generally speaking, in a shorter barrel.
 
I guess I've missed all the news reports of cyclists getting shot at from 250 yds away.......
 
I guess I've missed all the news reports of cyclists getting shot at from 250 yds away.......

Me too. I have no problem with the guy wanting a 10.5" AR. I don't like the farce that he's using as an excuse to justify having one. You really think carrying a 10.5" AR, as "short" as it may be, is a smart idea while cycling?

oooookay.
 
Having caught a 14.5" bbl in the spokes, a 10.5" sounds like a splendid idea while cycling : ) I would suggest hanging the scabbard on the outside of the basket, & keeping the basket unfolded - or carry it in a backpack - which is where I put my Kel-Tec Sub-2000. Personally, I like the heaviest bullets in the caliber the twist can throw - the SS109 bullet & its predecessor depend on velocity for terminal ballistics, which is what you ain't got w/ a 10.5" bbl (or in a 14.5", for that matter, as the Army is discovering...)
 
You guys with your short barrels.. BAH. From my non-NFA-friendly home in Illinois, I respectfully flip you the bird!

:)
 
I'm thinking if this is a prevalent problem that has simply gone unreported, then maybe there's a market for an AR swivel mount for the handlebars.....

Hmmmm, could be some money to be made......
 
I've been thinking of installing hooks on the steel bar that goes from behind the saddle towards the steering axis. The one that's curved on the lady bicycles. This way you could have a ('nother) long gun between your legs as you cycle.

Sure would beat having the m1a hanging on my shoulder as I make the 1hr30min bicycle trip to the range...
 
Trent said:
You guys with your short barrels.. BAH. From my non-NFA-friendly home in Illinois, I respectfully flip you the bird!

The probelm isn't US, Trent. The problem is your politicians. You're focusing your energy on the wrong folks. Focus instead on your legislature, assemble your fellow shooters, and get moving on those silly Illiniois Lawmakers.

You too can shoot NFA goodies, if you take on your own representatives.

picture.php
 
Will try some of that spendy 77g stuff and some lighter all copper ammo too. Will be nice to have gun I can put in a backpack.



R
 
The probelm isn't US, Trent. The problem is your politicians. You're focusing your energy on the wrong folks. Focus instead on your legislature, assemble your fellow shooters, and get moving on those silly Illiniois Lawmakers.

You too can shoot NFA goodies, if you take on your own representatives.

Nice pic!

Yeah I know, I was just just yanking the chain a bit.

Our problem is that 80% of our state population is in or around Chicago.

Right now, the NRA/ISRA's attention is focused almost entirely on getting Chicago to drop it's outright ban on firearms. Then, maybe, someday they'll make a run at CCW.

I don't ever see NFA being possible in this state. The majority of the people in the state can't even own reduced capacity handguns.

And, if you page back through history, Chicago was the primary motivator behind the original NFA... stands to reason that it'll be the last to fall, if it ever does.
 
Understood, Trent. The NFA was because of Chicago Gangsters. No doubt. I used to live in Illinois for a couple years. Moved back to free country, so I know what it's like. I think I still have my FOID card, though many years expired at this point.
 
i shot a 10.5" AR15 today with a midwest indusrties 14" foregrip :D

it was neat :what:


the issue was WITHOUT the can on it, it was LOUD, BRIGHT and would singe arm hair coming thru the slots in the foregrip.

without the can on it, it is not the thing i would want to shoot without ear/eye protection and dont think your gonna keep your night vision with that fire ball lol



with the can, it was awesome. it was about 16" with the can on, the foregrip kept oyu from getting burnt from the can, and it handles well.
 
As heavy as possible seems to be the current trend is short barrel 5.56 but the 5.7 has been found to be highly effective with very light bullets from very short barrels. The 5.56 was built to scoot.

On a side note i think you may want to reconsider your threat analysis and associated weapon selection. See how many, if any, incidents you can find that you are preparing for.
 
Honestly for cycling this rifle will get carried very little. Plan on sticking to my pistol mainly. Have not ruled out an sbr ps90 yet. It was and still is "on the list". Also have a ar lower that i was thinking about building into a lightweight 16' barrel gun. I normally run around with 7.62 ak's or a 590 when hiking. But they are just too heavy to take on long hikes let alone bike rides.
 
For SBRs is there federal ruling that you have to notify ATF prior to crossing a state line? On a bicycle that is easy to do. If it was me I would carry some sort of accurate handgun with optical sight of some sort. Even a SBR is bit much for a bike and hard to fire it while actually on the bike in contrast to a handgun that is easy to fire while cycling. A bicyclist while moving is a good target for an attack and rather than stop the bike, having the option to draw and fire while still moving is good.
 
Yes. You need to send the ATF a 5320.20 before transporting NFA items across state lines. Silencers and AOW's exempt.
 
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