Just finished prepping 500 pieces of 223 brass and looking for recommendations as to which bullets would be best for home defense should I decide to use an AR-15 for this purpose (currently a 40 cal. handgun and 12 Ga. pump shotgun back up my 2 dogs). My main concern would be shooting through a window or door and accidentally hitting a neighbor as houses are pretty close. The exterior of my house is brick so I'm guessing it would stop ballistic tips. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
AR-15 Reloads For Home Defense
- Thread starter PCCUSNRET
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blarby
Member
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/96...rain-frangible-flat-base-lead-free-box-of-100
and in stock.
Dont tell anyone........ shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
and in stock.
Dont tell anyone........ shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
murphys_law
Member
Doesn't really matter, but I myself would pick up a soft point or hollow point.
dodge
Member
I use a Sierra 55 gr. Blitzking over 26 gr Varget for my HD reloads in my AR if I was to have to use a rifle for that role. It's the same load that I use in my Remington 700 VLS for varmint hunting.
JLDickmon
Member
your 12ga stoked full of #4 buckshot would be close to ideal, IMHO..
the 223 has muzzle energy equivalent to that of a 44 mag, so keep that in mind..
the 223 has muzzle energy equivalent to that of a 44 mag, so keep that in mind..
10 Spot Terminator
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Have to agree the AR is not the best choice for home defense but if it is absolutely necessary I agree with blarby. Use the frangeable bullets. They are like the most exsplosive varmit bullet ever made designed to litterally disentigrate on impact with anything such as sheetrock, glass etc. and expend all of their energy so they dont keep on going through the house until they find your family. Use the 12 gauge. Scares the HELL out of intruders just hearing a round being chambered. 
It has been demonstrated that basic 55gn FMJ from an AR carbine pentrates less sheetrock and other standard building material than buckshot. The problem with highly frangible ammo is that it does not penetrate the badguy either. It might upset him and it might scare him off, but it might not stop an attack. Stopping the attack is what you care about. Remember that law enforcement went to rifle cartridge carbines over pistol caliber SMGs because they offer improved terminal ballisitics with reduced overpenetration and potential collateral damage.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
50-55 grain Hornady V-Max, Nosler Ballistic Tip, or Sierra Blitz King.
Hornady Urban TAP law enforcement ammo is basically loaded with V-Max varmint bullets.
http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/223-remington/55-gr-tap-urban
rc
Hornady Urban TAP law enforcement ammo is basically loaded with V-Max varmint bullets.
http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/223-remington/55-gr-tap-urban
rc
If you subscribe to this, then just load up 55g fmjbt's with 25g H335. Voila! You now have a good plinker load for fun and a great HD round when you need it. I guarantee you'll have more fun practicing with these at the range than any overpriced "zombie vampire killing" specialty round on the market.
45lcshooter
Member
Agree with others, ar-15 really isn't best suited for home defense. Sine the neighbors are close, an ar is definitely not a good choice, don't want an extra causality. Dogs and shotgun would be best suited.
Here in the sticks, i have cams up all over(mainly for spotting wildlife) but i have them hooked up wirelessly to my computer and phone. So i can see some one comming.
+100 yrds deer rifle
-100 yrds ar-15
0-60 yrds shotgun
0-20 yrds handgun
2 dogs are first line of defence
Here in the sticks, i have cams up all over(mainly for spotting wildlife) but i have them hooked up wirelessly to my computer and phone. So i can see some one comming.
+100 yrds deer rifle
-100 yrds ar-15
0-60 yrds shotgun
0-20 yrds handgun
2 dogs are first line of defence
Absolutely DO NOT EVER use reloads for home defense!!
The courts will paste you as the bad guy loading custom ammo designed strictly to be extra lethal. Always use factory ammo only for home protection!!
This is one of the first things taught in any defensive class.
The courts will paste you as the bad guy loading custom ammo designed strictly to be extra lethal. Always use factory ammo only for home protection!!
This is one of the first things taught in any defensive class.
David Wile
Member
Hey folks,
I bet this thread will now get real interesting with responses to Chrisgo's comments. Keep it nice now.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
I bet this thread will now get real interesting with responses to Chrisgo's comments. Keep it nice now.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
jack44
Member
Anybody knows a 12ga loaded with either #4 or 6 shot cant be beat.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Buy that line of reasoning, don't use a claw hammer you replaced the handle in, or the kitchen knife you sharpened a few times to defend yourself either.
Or grandpa's 12 ga trap gun & reloaded clay bird ammo he left you in his will.
If the shoot is legally justified, the courts don't give a darn what the ammo was.
If the legality of the shooting is marginal at best, duplicate factory loads could provide ballistics testing to prove it wasn't murder.
rc
blarby
Member
^^^^^this^^^^^^^^^^^^
FROGO207
Member
I would pick 50 to 55 grain PSP for the task as asked in the OP. If you decide to use 223 for home defense.
Being a vigilante, isn't exactly a stay at home thing....
matrem
Member
If my 12 ga with #1 buck or one of the handguns doesn't seem right, (like a guy shooting through my house from way out back or the neighbors yard, maybe?) my handiest AR has 55 Blitzkings in the magazine.
I didn't know that. In fact I don't believe that at all.
chris in va
Member
...and I'm willing to bet they didn't give any case law examples to back up that claim.
With the exception of one or two cases, that statement has been proven to be a myth.
primalmu
Member
But why risk it? Why not buy a box of factory ammo, then come up with a load that matches it. Use the reloads for practice, and the factory ammo in the mag at home for defense.
Mule
Member
I like 65gr Sierra Game Kings.
I have a question about the "Factory Ammo" recommendation. My pistol is loaded with 230gr homecast lead bullets. Do you really think a prosecutor would object to a home invader being shot with old fashoned cowboy bullets? Thank God my state has a Castle Doctrine law.
I have a question about the "Factory Ammo" recommendation. My pistol is loaded with 230gr homecast lead bullets. Do you really think a prosecutor would object to a home invader being shot with old fashoned cowboy bullets? Thank God my state has a Castle Doctrine law.
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