.223 & 5.56 Choices from 10.5" Barrel

[Snowdog]

A funny thing happened a week ago...

I got an email from PSA offering a complete pistol lower (with brace) for $179, which I bought. This happened about an hour before I purchased an inexpensive Bear Creek Arsenal side-charge upper with 1:7 223 Wylde 10.5" barrel, Holosun HS403B, replacement Magpul handle and a few more magazines (including a couple Rollermag-40s).

Just kinda happened. The price was right I guess.

To preface things, I would like to point out that I don't really intend to use this as a primary home-defense role, but I would like to turn it into something that could be used for such. I think my ears would rather I use my AK-V, CX4 Storm or other 9mm carbine for that role. I may later use the lower to host a .300 BLK suppressed upper.

Anyway, knowing that it's currently a challenge to find any .223 Rem or 5.56 NATO ammunition, I looked at what I currently have on hand as I currently only own two AR carbines. I also don't reload for anything that doesn't use a straight-walled case.

So scrounging around, I found I have the following and wonder which would make them most sense for close-quarters defense within the abode:

• Lake City M193 (several K) of various years of manufacture
• Lake City M855 (less than 500)
• AMA DENEX 5.56 (essentially Danish M855 sans green paint), two 300 round bricks
• PMC 55gr FMJ Bronze .223
• PPU 75gr OTM .223
• PPU 68gr OTM .223
• Silver State Arsenal 77gr OTM (silver/black box)
• Hornady-manufactured 60gr Vmax .223 (with visible cannelure)
• Reloaded .223 (from company I forget the name of, all loose packed) using 60gr Vmax (without cannelure, bullet pulled to verify).
• Speer 55gr Gold Dot SP

Of the above, which would you believe would be the most effective at close range against a raging assailant (no armor or intermediate barriers)?

Currently I have a 3-way tie going between the 60gr Vmax, 55gr Gold Dot and 77gr SSA OTM.

I am just now learning about .223 and 5.56 ballistics from a 10.5" barrel (since I never thought I would purchase one).

 

[Demi-human]

I would prefer the Hornady manufactured cartridges, a great bullet. Neck and neck with the Speer Gold Dot, I simply prefer Hornady bullets, not made by a manufacturer so good you forgot who they were.

I think they would cause more trauma by breaking up more than the bonded Gold Dot.

I do not doubt any of the choices to penetrate enough, and cause “Get your own dang TV” fight ending damage, so I choose the one most likely to fragment most, since post-impact yaw fragmentation will be lessened with the 1/7 barrel.

Any of those will do in the real world. Splitting hairs really.

Don’t forget your muffs!

 

[jmr40]

Don't over think this.

 

[Snowdog]

Don't over think this.

That's half the fun.

 

[FL-NC]

Whichever is the most reliable from the gun. We used M855 (considered to be inferior at short ranges to most anything else) out of necessity, because MK 262 (77 grain OTM) wasn't available at the time for the exact application you mentioned from 10" MK18 barrels and it worked fine. For the application you described (I presume less than 50 yards) inherent accuracy doesn't sound like a major factor. Like any caliber/bullet, it is critically important to get hits in the vital plumbing. Also, there is a reason modern guns hold more than 1 round of ammunition. Afterwards, you will need to turn up the volume on your TV, at least for a while.

 

[jonnyc]

Skip to the end-game and get a 300 upper. Your plan fits right in its wheelhouse.

 

[Varminterror]

It’s an AR at a range which could be responsibly measured in inches...

“Don’t over think it.”

 

[748]

AR pistols are crazy loud inside, I don't think I would use it.
As long as you are not trying to shoot through walls that 55gr gold dot is pretty good.
If you want to shoot through walls pretty much any of those other ones.

 

[entropy]

• Lake City M193 (several K) of various years of manufacture #8

• Lake City M855 (less than 500) #9

• AMA DENEX 5.56 (essentially Danish M855 sans green paint), two 300 round bricks #10

• PMC 55gr FMJ Bronze .223 #5

• PPU 75gr OTM .223 #7

• PPU 68gr OTM .223 #6

• Silver State Arsenal 77gr OTM (silver/black box) #4

• Hornady-manufactured 60gr Vmax .223 (with visible cannelure) #1

• Reloaded .223 (from company I forget the name of, all loose packed) using 60gr Vmax (without cannelure, bullet pulled to verify). #2

• Speer 55gr Gold Dot SP #3

I put the order I'd pick next to them in your quote. Any of them will do the job, though. When I rate LC M855 and 193 near the bottom, It means you have plenty of good choices.

 

[bfoosh006]

1st choice....55gr GD
2nd Choice...Silver State Arsenal 77gr OTM (silver/black box)