Self defense loads for .223

[DustyGmt]

Again, Self Defense - at 400 Meters - is a very interesting scenario to say the least.

Even 400 feet would need a pretty sharp lawyer.

400 hands (133 ft) is probably a reasonable SD range.




GR

In a civilian application I would have to agree. I'm certain you were just having a joke and are acutely aware the scenario @C-grunt was describing was combat, in a military setting.

But yes, I cant really imagine a scenario where I or anybody else would have to defend ourselves at a distance of greater than 20 ft much less 400 meters, but crazy things happen, crazy things are happening right now. It's nice to have an all around capable cartridge no matter what....

 

[C-grunt]

Again, Self Defense - at 400 Meters - is a very interesting scenario to say the least.

Even 400 feet would need a pretty sharp lawyer.

400 hands (133 ft) is probably a reasonable SD range.




GR

The response was in reference to a Special Forces guy using a Mk18 at range.... not exactly a civilian self defense conversation.

 

[DustyGmt]

The response was in reference to a Special Forces guy using a Mk18 at range.... not exactly a civilian self defense conversation.

Not to mention, any round that someone might suggest, especially in the case of suggesting a heavy for caliber 5.56 round like the 77smk out of a 10.3, I expect the first thing someone is likely to do is whip out the chrono data and possibly conclude that the round is ineffective for a SBR or AR pistol at range....

 

[C-grunt]

Not to mention, any round that someone might suggest, especially in the case of suggesting a heavy for caliber 5.56 round like the 77smk out of a 10.3, I expect the first thing someone is likely to do is whip out the chrono data and possibly conclude that the round is ineffective for a SBR or AR pistol at range....

Yep. People act like getting hit with a 77 grain bullet at 1800 FPS is good for your health.

 

[Garandimal]

The response was in reference to a Special Forces guy using a Mk18 at range.... not exactly a civilian self defense conversation.

Understood.

Wasn't bein' myopic or obtuse... just referencing the Topic and OP.

Lots of things aren't "Self defense loads for .223" that will still ruin your day.




GR

 

[Rexster]

When my wife and I are out and about, doing her ”master naturalist” stuff, or volunteer* search-and-revovery, in some semi-secluded areas that are all too near some blighted parts of the Houston/Galveston metro area, which is coastal prairie, I can see the prospect of having to fire a defensive shot farther than twenty yards/meters. A retired couple, in a remote area, is what some criminals might consider a gift from their gods. We can be farther than 20 yards apart, and I may have to defend her.

When I was one of the “patrol carbine” units, with Houston PD, In Texas, the mandated load was simply “.223 55-grain softpoint.” I normally bought Remington PSP. I never fired a defensive shot with my AR15, but, but collectively, a large PD shoots a number of felons, over time, and I heard no complaints about 55-grain softpoint terminal performance.

*In this context, “recovery” means human remains.

 

[DustyGmt]

This thread prompted me to become interested in this topic again. Been reading alot of threads about this just to see what people have to say and while M193 is my general standard, checks most of the boxes for me anyway, what I've found is just about anything you can find to fire out of your .223/5.56 is going to be more than adequate.

There is a very wide array of grain weights, bonded, not bonded, HP, SP, basically anything your gun will reliably feed will get the job done for self defense. Now if you're talking varmint or deer hunting, you may want to narrow your criteria and be more mindful of what you use tailoring the load to barrel length, rate of twist, etc...

At self defense range I think anything will work well.....

I personally like M193 but would not he opposed to using anything else save for maybe a 45gr HP.

Also, not sure if it's true but I heard the 62gr Fusions that could be had pretty cheaply not that long ago was an excellent choice for bonded soft point ammo and that it was the same bullet as the gold dot.....