New respect for 5.56

[dranrab]

NewToSavage

"I've had exactly the opposite experience, and I refuse to use 5.56 for feral pigs any longer, going instead to the 7.62x39. The performance of my Savage scout in 7.62x39 on pigs effectively duplicates what I saw for years with my Win 30-30, dropping them in their tracks, or producing quick, clean kills.

After shooting dozens of feral pigs with the .223, I am convinced it simply is not enough gun for the job. Too often I've had to shoot a pig multiple times before I could even tell it was hit, wasting valuable time and ammo that should have been directed toward other pigs. In other words, that round was not up to the task.

IMO, the 7.62x39 with Hornady SST ammo is an ideal feral pig round.

I know I'll get flamed for saying this (and that's fine) but I think the .223 should be removed from the list of calibers that people are allowed to hunt deer with."


I won't flame you, but I will ask follow on questions. What 223 bullet were you using? What size pigs were you shooting? When you shot those pigs that had to be shot multiple times to know they were hit, where were you hitting them and what kind of penetration were you getting?

 

[Slinky556]

My first shot in to a big group was with my 7RM, bang-drop. The rest scattered. Then again with 5.56. High neck shot, snipped her spine right behind her ears. Again, they scattered like roaches. I dont doubt you, I had a doe watch me climb down from my stand after I hit her hubby with my bow and then she followed me almost all the way back to the truck while I drug him out of the woods. She stayed just outside of arms reach. They'll do some weird things. Did you know they'll chase a red laser like a cat

 

[skoro]

So I'm new here, hi everyone.

Welcome aboard, Slinky.

Your AR sure saved your hide in a very tense encounter, and that's what counts. A heavier caliber might have been more appropriate, but you did what needed to be done with what you had on hand, and that's all anyone could ever expect. And yes, that 5.56/223 is surprisingly lethal. It's served the armed forces now for half a century.

Well done.

 

[justin22885]

ive recently settled on 75 grain handloads using hornady HPBT bullets as the best cost/performance value, compared to both 123 grain and 150 grain 7.62x39 i was using before (JSPs) the 5.56 actually has a better wound track, plus the flatter trajectory and more energy downrange that comes with it... sure i could probably find some x39 ammo that'll perform even better, but i'll be paying more than what i made 223/5.56 for

ive actually been so impressed with its performance, range, and accuracy inside 600 yards that ive pretty much eliminated all need i had for .308 and larger calibers as the 75 grain .223s bridge ENOUGH of the gap between regular 55 and 62 grain 5.56 and .308 147 grain ball that the increased costs of .308 ammo, .308 rifles, and .308 loading supplies just isnt worth what i get out of it anymore

 

[stiab]

For the OP, there are a couple things I did not understand about your story.

Over the years I've been asked at least half a dozen times, "What's the best caliber for bear defense on my Alaskan hunt?".

Since you don't ever get to hunt away from home, why are they asking you?

Also, where you live is it legal to carry a rifle while deer hunting (looking for your recently arrowed buck)?

 

[Slinky556]

A) Because Ive hunted my whole life and many of my friends have recently just discovered it so apparently, in their minds, Im the guy to ask. Hence why my answer is a simple as it is, carry something big. I would like to hunt out that way sometime but unfortunately I wasnt born into a 7 figure last name

B) It is legal to carry a centerfire rifle if gun season is open. Being in the woods with one, even if not hunting during bow or muzzleloader season, is grounds for some hefty suspicion

 

[AnselHazen]

Its been real mild here too, I dont think theyve been forced to come out of their nocturnal patterns with the weather staying as warm as it has and food not being as scarce

That's our story and we're sticking to it too.

At the very least we were out there, not on the couch, and that sure beats all any day.

 

[Slinky556]

You're absolutely right, I can sit it my treestand all day and watch time pass for no reason. Having my Matthews or my Hoyt with me is just a plus. I have taken some excellent naps in my shooting house too

 

[meanmrmustard]

You're absolutely right, I can sit it my treestand all day and watch time pass for no reason. Having my Matthews or my Hoyt with me is just a plus. I have taken some excellent naps in my shooting house too

That's when the deer walk by!!!!

They're soothed by the sound of snoring.

 

[Slinky556]

Is that what it is... I though a human snore was the closest to a "free beer grunt"

 

[rule303]

The .223/5.56 can certainly kill large animals, but in my experience it is lacking performance for consistent clean kills on anything but a perfect shot. Just because it stopped an angry bull one time doesn't mean it will every time, or even most times. In a pinch if it is whats available, fine. Seems foolish to me if you are going to put yourself in a situation where you actually expect to encounter dangerous animals to rely on a .223.

 

[Slinky556]

Well here in North Alabama we don't generally have big dangerous animals... except when your neighbors bull gets out and onto your property. I do not advocate 5.56 for large predator defense but I found myself in an abnormal situation with my 5.56 rifle

 

[AnselHazen]

In a pinch if it is whats available, fine. Seems foolish to me if you are going to put yourself in a situation where you actually expect to encounter dangerous animals to rely on a .223.

Well that's why Barnes makes the Varmint Grenade, Nosler, the Varmageddon, or the Partition. Hornady has the #2265 Soft Point.

FMJ plinking rounds out of the case at Wally World aren't hunting rounds.