Best 5.56x45 Load for Hunting

What are you defending yourself against at 150 yards?

The 77gr seems to be among the most effective rounds out there if barrier penetration isn't a bit concern (and really it usually isn't).

I don't know what the "best" is, but after testing several rounds (our department does consider barrier penetration to be a concern) we ended up with Speer Gold Dot 75 gr.

I just picked up a couple more boxes of these at Sporstmans Warehouse:



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Atomic_Dog9601 said:

Sorry wasn't thinking. Disregard that part I'm new to the AR. Until now my only firearms have been a bolt action 30-06 and a lever 30-30. I was thinking in hunting terms not defense

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62 gr scirocco 2 or controlled chaos would be among my top picks.

I like 65 gr gamekings and 62gr tsx. Both work well out of a rifle that is very close to the description you gave.

M1key said:

I just picked up a couple more boxes of these at Sporstmans Warehouse:

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There's not much bullet visible for 112 grains! How much is below the case mouth?

For that purpose I use the Speer 62 Grn Gold Dot (bonded) it's marketed as LE ammo and does well in the tests I've seen. I like it because the bullets are ( rather were) available as components for reloading.

I have had excellent results in accuracy on paper and terminal performance on deer and hogs with Hornady 75 grain boat tail hollow point match, even though it isn't a true "hunting" round. It also has a very solid record in iraq, where it is used through 10.5" and 14.5" barrels with 1:7 twist.

I have used 55 gr. V-Max and 55 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint in the past; my son has shot deer from 10 to 225 yards with the V-max; none went more than 50 yards. I have since switched to 60 gr. Nosler Partitions. The Partitions are my favorite hunting bullet in other calibers. The only reason I didn't go with the 60 gr Partition to begin with is I had tons of 55 gr. V-Max, and when I saw what my son was doing with them, I decided to go with them.

+1 for the Noslers on deer size game. The 55 v-max and Sierra's 55 Blitz Kings are awesome for ground squirrels and coyotes

twarr1 said:

There's not much bullet visible for 112 grains! How much is below the case mouth?

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Well, the bullet is 1.2 inches long and is loaded ahead of 15.5 grains of ball powder of some sort.

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entropy said:

I have since switched to 60 gr. Nosler Partitions. The Partitions are my favorite hunting bullet in other calibers. The only reason I

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I used fed premium ammo with the 60 gr nosler partitions 2 seasons ago feet went maybe 10 yds. That is a solid bullet, broke through the onside shoulder joint and exited offside ribcage. Complete penetration even through bone.

I do like the ballistics of Winchester deer season xp 64 gr bullets too although I haven't tried them out yet.

M1key said:

Well, the bullet is 1.2 inches long and is loaded ahead of 15.5 grains of a round flake powder of some sort.

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Looks like interesting ammo,have you shot much of it ? If so , how is the accuracy ?

Edit: HUNTING load (sorry)

I don't hunt with that round but I do like the 75 Speer Gold Dot.

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Robert said:

Folks, OP is looking for a hunting round.

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Sorry,.. missed that.

OP, hunting what?

For varmints, which here = coyotes I use the Nosler 55 BT in my 1:8s, my 1:7 AR prefers the 60BTs. For deer sized game, sorry I'm no help when it comes to the .223/5.56, but the 62 gran Speer Gold dots are bonded and should hold together, or I'd go with the Nosler 60 Partitions, or a solid copper offering. Personally I wouldn't use OTMs (Open tip match) on anything living. I've personally seen the 69 OTMs zip right through coyotes, only to have them die off later (somewhere).

Don't overthink this. Just about any expanding bullet 60 gr or heavier will work on deer, or deer size game. Some have taken game at longer range, but around 150 yards is where my comfort zone ends.

If you go to a solid copper bullet such as Barnes then the lighter 50-55 gr bullets seem to work too.

I’ve been extremely successful with the Federal 69gr GMM round. Bang, flop, DRT every time I‘ve shot deer with them.

Lead cup and core ...Sierra 65 grain Game king ...

Copper ....Barnes 50 & 55 grain TTSX ...

I'm a fan of the 77 SMK with cannelure(spelling?)
If you're running factory ammo, IMI RazorCore has given me good results.
I like heavy bullets in 5.56 because it needs all the help it can get at retaining energy.

I have a box of 70gr GMX all-copper bullets that I think would work well for hunting but I have not tested them.