A different take on the .223 vs 7.62x39 debate.

[the naked prophet]

I'm going to ask about soft point ammo. Specifically, is there a big difference between the performance, as self-defense ammo, between soft point .223 and soft point 7.62x39?

But more to the point, is there a difference in affordable soft points? Sure, Federal Tactical Bonded Jacketed Soft Point ammo might be the best thing since sliced bread, but at $1.50 per round, can anybody afford to run 100 rounds through your gun (to test for reliability, and to zero) AND then fill a couple of mags with it? I'd rather spend some of that money on practice ammo, and then actually practice.

You could use hunting ammo, which should be more effective so long as you choose the right stuff (same weight as the cheap practice stuff, or at least be close enough to POI that you don't have to change your zero, and tougher than varmint bullets but not big-game bullets that don't expand, etc).

Other questions might be, is JSP 7.62x39 more effective than FMJ .223 or even is JSP .223 more effective than FMJ 7.62x39?

I know you groaned when you read the thread title, but you clicked on it, didn't you?

 

[JShirley]

I don't know if it can still be found, but Federal American Eagle HP used to be very inexpensive. Testing in water indicated that it would make poor (deer) hunting ammunition, but should be a fine, fairly low-penetration SD round.

John

 

[GunNut]

This is a debate that will never end, choose the one you prefer and practice with it.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

You can do better than $1.50/round. I've bought that stuff when it goes on sale at places for closer to $.50/round and it can be regularly found at $1.00/round. Not that that's a whole lot better, I'm just saying...