Been loading 60 gr. hornady vmax for critters etc in my stag 16" AR, but I am looking for a round that would perform equally well should the need ever arise for more serious situations. Any suggestions for bullets that would translate from a plinking/varmint round to a defense round? The idea here would be that if I had a few hundred rounds loaded up they could be used for whatever purpose instead of having multiple loads for different purposes. Thanks
All purpose .223 round??
- Thread starter jlm342000
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May I ask why you don't like the idea of having multiple types of ammo on hand? Buy cheap, plinking ammo to plink with. This ammo doesn't necessary need to stay locked and loaded. Buy some nicer, HD ammo and keep the mags loaded with those in case you need them. Going shooting for the day? Empty your mags and load them up with plinkers. When you get home, put the good stuff back in.
I guess the idea of having ammo stock piled that is reliable and dynamic sounds appealing as I reload for several other rifles that consume most of my time. I have only tinkered with varmint rounds for this rifle...but it is a combat rifle in nature, I guess I like the idea of having one rifle thats always ready for anything sighted in for one load and ready
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Why not stick with the bullet you're now shooting? If it's good enough to hunt critters it will also take care of and "hunting" needs that might come up. If the price on those bullets is too high you can always switch over to the Hornady 60gr SP bullet. ($6 less Retail) Any of the Hornady 60gr bullets will fit your needs.
Understand your dilemma. I like large capacity mags but have started buying some 10 rounders and marking the mags with the type of round I plan on carrying. For serious defense I do like the green tip M855 fmj 62gr I usually get from AIM which seems to penetrate anything I am ever likely to come up against. 75gr and all rounds between if target is hit at a decent range the results will be as expected. Some of my Ars due to different length barrels definitely like different weight bullets. Now that I have rambled a bit for my two cents worth it still comes down to shot placement...Hitting what and where you aim is the key and using the round the gun is most accurate with helps for peace of mind for a given range......Probably no help sorry it is just there are so many variables in a given shot, distance, target, etc etc!! I agree with the plinking ammo and something with a little more hitting power for zombies but again shot placement is where it's at.
W.E.G.
Member
The right answer is whatever round that FUNCTIONS RELIABLY in your gun.
Any currently-produced .223 rifle is more accurate than 99.9% of all shooters can hold under field conditions.
No matter what bullet you stick in it, its still "just a .223."
I don't think the .223 is a very good sniper round. But, if I got shot in the head with one, I might change my mind.
Any currently-produced .223 rifle is more accurate than 99.9% of all shooters can hold under field conditions.
No matter what bullet you stick in it, its still "just a .223."
I don't think the .223 is a very good sniper round. But, if I got shot in the head with one, I might change my mind.
thanks, will do some tinkering maybe try the partitions or something comparable that might be a little cheaper..lol you are right, there are a lot of variables to think about when trying to develop an all purpose round for yotes, zombies, what have you
788Ham
Member
I'm just loading for a bolt rifle. I'd use the 55 gr spire points in mine, or the 53 gr Hp's, or the 52 gr BTHP's for SD/HD. Any of the 3 have never disappointed me in the P-dog pasture, YMMV
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Don't forget to look into those Hornady 60gr SP bullets I mentioned. While the V-Max bullets Retail for $24/100 the SP bullets Retail for only $18/100. Soft Point bullets will work very well against a "man size target". (and cost you less too) I'm sure all your favorite loads will also remain the same with those bullets too.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
The prices I quoted were full Retail from the Hornady site, not what you can buy them for. I was only trying to show the difference in price. I'm sure you can find them all for less than Retail prices quoted on the site.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Your 60 grain V-Max load will Get-R-Done if you are talking about "more serious situations" involving two-legged predators.
What do you suppose Hornady loads in it's 60 grain "Urban TAP" law enforcement ammo?
Yep, you guessed it!
See gel test performance results here:
http://www.hornadyle.com/products/more_detail5039.html?id=130&sID=73&pID=3
rc
What do you suppose Hornady loads in it's 60 grain "Urban TAP" law enforcement ammo?
Yep, you guessed it!
See gel test performance results here:
http://www.hornadyle.com/products/more_detail5039.html?id=130&sID=73&pID=3
rc
snuffy
Member
What RC said!
I've been loading the 60 V-max for my bushy AR for several years. It just plain works! I also use their 60 gr. HP, both shoot to the same point of aim, at least out to 200 yds. I think the V-max has the edge in accuracy, but not by much. It also does a number on water filled milk jugs. A wood chuck that made the mistake of sticking his head up at the 100 yd range was just about turned inside out.
As for anti personal bullets, you have to consider what's behind the BG. Or what if you miss? A HP or plastic tipped bullet is much more likely to disintegrate in the BG, possibly not exiting. It also is less likely to ricochet off the ground.
I hope to never have to shoot anybody. But if TSHTF, I will have those V-max bullets loaded in 30 round mags, ready for the onslaught coming out of the big cities.
MtnCreek
Member
I have to agree with the guys that say stick with the 60 gr V-Max. If you wanted something with more penetration, try some Speer 70 gr Semi-Pointed Soft Points. I’ve used them with great success on anything from housecats to whitetail.
I have to go against the grain here. It's not always shot placement that wins the war more often it's number of shots fired. You don't have to deliver a kill shot to stop the threat. If you get a hit even a lag shot or arm it usually stops the advancement.
There is times that sniper shots are called for but that is to salve a problem before it becomes a war.
If you are in the heat of battle the only time to pick your shot would be in the case of taking out the leaders without leaders there is little threat.
If I was preparing for this I would stock up on the hardball ammo from pull downs. I have been trying to work up a same hole round @ 100 yards for them with no luck so far but they shoot within 1 inch all day long so they would work great for this. Most of the older BA won't stop .22 cal. ammo I have no idea about the current stuff though. This is what the ball pull down is made for though.
For HD/SD against most BGs a rifle my not be the most convenient. If i knew something was going on I would pick the rifle but I'm much to lazy to carry one. I keep a side arm on all the time though. It would be next to imposable to win a trail claiming SD in this state if you was more then 30 feet so my hand gun would do.
There is times that sniper shots are called for but that is to salve a problem before it becomes a war.
If you are in the heat of battle the only time to pick your shot would be in the case of taking out the leaders without leaders there is little threat.
If I was preparing for this I would stock up on the hardball ammo from pull downs. I have been trying to work up a same hole round @ 100 yards for them with no luck so far but they shoot within 1 inch all day long so they would work great for this. Most of the older BA won't stop .22 cal. ammo I have no idea about the current stuff though. This is what the ball pull down is made for though.
For HD/SD against most BGs a rifle my not be the most convenient. If i knew something was going on I would pick the rifle but I'm much to lazy to carry one. I keep a side arm on all the time though. It would be next to imposable to win a trail claiming SD in this state if you was more then 30 feet so my hand gun would do.
amlevin
Member
kingmt said:
I have some steel plates that I use for my pistol practice that I thought I'd try one day at 100 yards with my AR-15. Won't do that again. Now I have to weld up the holes in the 3/8" plate. The .223 rounds didn't even slow down. They were M-193 equivalent loads that I stockpile by the thousands.
As for the "ball pull down" made to penetrate ballistic armor, you are probably thinking of the SS-109 bullet in M-885 ammo. It is not "armor piercing", it just has a steel core that doesn't fragment as much as the lead/copper bullets.
All of my AR's like the 55gr M-193 and the groups open up considerable when I load the 62 gr SS-109.
What's the best bullet? The one you have lots of when the SHTF. It won't be a case of quality then, but quantity.
MtnCreek
Member
Op wants a projectile for plinking, hunting and HD. IMVHO, M855 doesn't really do a good job at any of these.
NCsmitty
Member
Rarely do you find a firearm that won't shoot a Sierra GameKing accurately. The 55gr Spitzer boat tail GameKing, is an all around bullet that will take deer reliably or knockdown 2 and 4 legged varmints. If you want to put it on paper, it will do it with the accuracy that Sierra has been known for, over the decades.
They are not expensive compared to other popular brands, and they also offer a 65gr GameKing if your twist can handle it.
NCsmitty
They are not expensive compared to other popular brands, and they also offer a 65gr GameKing if your twist can handle it.
NCsmitty
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