BOTTOM LINE on the deadliest ammo .223

[army_eod]

The question is: what is the deadliest, most effective man-stopper/killer ammo load for the 16 inch bbl 1:9 twist AR .223?

This, I would think, would be THE SHTF go-to-war load. Price not a factor. Must be a factory load.

I now use the new Wolf Gold .223 M193 with great results for both range ammo and I would not hesitate to use it as a war-reserve load. At 300 yards I was making some loud noises against steel plates with it.

I am hearing some heavier loads are good. I am looking at the load having great killing effect from 0 to 300 yards.

Soft-point? FMJ? HP? What. And, yes, I have read the Ammo Oracle.

Thanks in advance.

 

[combatpreacher]

There are almost too many to choose from...My AR shoots best with TAP 60gr...Thats my "doomsday"...."living dead" choice.

(Also like Black Hills 68gr hp)

 

[army_eod]

Thanks...I have some of the BH 68 OTM loaded up in mags. It does shoot well. Just have to zero for the load.

 

[DMK]

I'm a firm believer in the fragmentation effect. It's a light bullet, traveling at high velocity. Take best advantage of that.

It seems that the Hornady and Sierra OTM bullets have the best fragmentation performance in all the gel testing I've seen. Find one that is the most reliable and accurate in your rifle. Heavier is better for better penetration. I wouldn't go under 55gr. I can't get BH 68gr OTM to group well at all in my 1/9 twist rifles. Yet 75 gr. shoots to a tight little cluster. Go figure. I'm not complaining.

I'm also a believer in longer barrels. I prefer the 20" barrel over the 16" for better velocity. I do keep a 16" carbine for home defense though.

 

[combatpreacher]

2nd on the longer barrel...20" seems perfect...but of course the shorter ones are more maneuverable.

 

[KaceCoyote]

My favorite load, Winchester silvertips 55gr. This stuff is a deathray on Coyotes and drops them -much- faster than any load I have ever used. I keep 2 20rnd magazines loaded in my Home defence rifle at all time with this stuff.


Accurate, hits hard, penetrates and expands.

 

[longhorngunman]

+1 one on any of the ballistic tip loads. I wouldn't want them for penetrating barriers but for just causing devastating wounds on non-armor wearing two-legged critters the Hornady TAP rounds 55gr, 60gr flat out tear **** up.

 

[Raygun]

One more on the 55 gr. ballistic silvertip vs. coyote. Last two I shot have been with this load. Seems to work very well. I've also gotten my best group so far out of my 20" HBAR with it.

 

[KaceCoyote]

Silvertips are deadlier because they're prettier yaknow.

 

[rangerruck]

hornady t.a.p. preferably in 75 grns.