AR ammo for SHTF

[another okie]

I'm a relatively new AR owner. I've been shooting a lot of S & B 55 grain FMJ, and it occurred to me I have no idea what the best ammo would be if I had to use the rifle for serious social purposes. I'm not in the military so I can use hollow points. What would be best to defend the homestead against bad guys? My AR is a Bushmaster with a 1:9 twist and a 20" barrel, if that matters, though I'm kind of itching for another one with a collapsible stock and a short barrel.

 

[Cacique500]

This link will give you some excellent info on the .223/5.56 round

AR15 Ammo Oracle

 

[Kurush]

Probably the best commercial loads of 5.56 are Hornady TAP 75 gr. and Black Hills Match 77 gr. Just make sure you don't get 5.56 loadings if your gun is made for 223.

 

[DMK]

Unless your Bushmaster's a Varminter or Match rifle it's a 5.56 chamber. Verify this by looking at the top of the barrel in front of the sight. It should say "B MP 5.56 NATO 1/9" (the last number being the twist rate).

My recommendation for defense ammo would be Hornady 75gr TAP, Black Hills Red Box 75gr OTM, or Black Hills Blue Box 75gr OTM (once fired brass). Try a box at 100-200 yards before stocking up, to make sure 75gr will stabilize with your barrel. It shoots real nice in my Bushy 1/9 barrel, but results vary from rifle to rifle.

That stuff is expensive to stock up though, even the Blue Box. Your best bet for stocking something in quantity would be Federal XM193, or Winchester Q3131A. These are both M193 spec ammo and have good fragmentation characteristics (although not as good as the 75gr.). Stay away from the XM193PD. It's good for practice, but too many bad rounds for depending on.

 

[Mulliga]

With the current shortage of XM193 and Q3131A, I'd go for bulk reloads from a reputable company, say Black Hills or Georgia Arms. The "Canned Heat" stuff seems to have a good rep, and it's way cheaper than some are charging for loose-packed XM193PD.

 

[Byron]

I called Black Hills about their ammo. The bullets are M193 bullets but the velocity is 3150 from a 24" barrel. Byron

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

SHTF? Goal is to have ammo that works.

Whatever the case, you want the following:

Primer crimped
Primer sealed
Bullet/neck sealed


For SHTF, you want your ammo to handle the elements, including being submerged. Think New Orleans...A Do it yourself trick is to use nailpolish to seal them yourself.


Performance is secondary to survivability of the ammo. Even the lower-pressure American Eagle will down any threat well. I don't know too many humans who can take a .223 to the chest and keep presenting a real threat.

 

[50 Freak]

I called Black Hills about their ammo. The bullets are M193 bullets but the velocity is 3150 from a 24" barrel. Byron

Interesting....do they sell in bulk and typically a case of 1000 will sell for how much?????

 

[Zak Smith]

Black Hills remanufactured ammunition is relatively cheap (for match ammo) and is reliable. I have shot over 5000 rounds of the 75gr loading with no issues.

I would also add that having "botique" ammo is probably a BAD IDEA for SHTF. Just keep some extra of your practice ammo around. This ensures you keep testing the reliability of your SHTF rounds in your gun, and that you ensure the rifle stays sighted in for it (vs. a "practice" round) and you know all the dope.

-z