What barrel length for the HD rifle?

[MikePGS]

Hello. I'm considering a Saiga in .223 for HD purposes and was curious as to what barrel length would be best. I think the 16 inch would be most manageable, but is this long enough to provide sufficient velocity, or would it be better if the barrel was a bit longer?

 

[rgs1975]

For home defense a 2" revolver barrel is enough to generate sufficient velocity. I'd say you're ok with a 16" rifle barrel.

 

[H2O MAN]

Firing .223 from 16 inches of barrel is just fine for HD.

 

[TexasRifleman]

It depends more on the ammo.

Some ammo depends on a velocity floor to properly fragment, some ammo doesn't depend on fragmentation for it's wounding potential.

Proper choice of ammo will make the barrel length less important.

The Hornady 75gr TAP/FPD or the Black Hills Mk262Mod1 style will both perform exceptionally well even out of shorter barrels.

I use the TAP in a 11inch barreled AR and at home defense ranges it will perform just fine.

Using some kind of 55gr FMJ stuff? Whole other story.

 

[H2O MAN]

TexasRifleman It depends more on the ammo.

Some ammo depends on a velocity floor to properly fragment, some ammo doesn't depend on fragmentation for it's wounding potential.

Proper choice of ammo will make the barrel length less important.

The Hornady 75gr TAP/FPD or the Black Hills Mk262Mod1 style will both perform exceptionally well even out of shorter barrels.

Excellent point!

 

[Deer Hunter]

Or perhaps use SP ammunition, since we are not in the military and thus arn't limited to bullet choices.

 

[strat81]

Or perhaps use SP ammunition, since we are not in the military and thus arn't limited to bullet choices.

Mil-spec M193 actually has pretty good terminal performance, especially for an FMJ. Be careful with SP ammo. Some types lend themselves to excellent penetration through barriers which may not be the best choice for HD.

 

[MikePGS]

I was thinking of some kind of SP ammo, would that cause a problem?

 

[Deer Hunter]

Depends. I know that some SP ammo is meant to stay together. Others, not so much. From what I've seen with Brown Bear SP rounds, they break up pretty nicely.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The bonded SPs (like the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw) can actually outpenetrate M855 green-tip in some tests.

 

[TexasRifleman]

The bonded SPs (like the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw) can actually outpenetrate M855 green-tip in some tests.

Yes that is good stuff too.

I'm not sure anyone is selling a factory loaded round with that bullet are they? Federal sells some but they don't start until like .270 go up from there.

Is there a commercial loading with that bullet?

 

[eliphalet]

Probably your best HD rifle is a shotgun.

 

[alpha6164]

No matter what the length of the barrel, your ammo type and particularly the weight will factor its lethality. Since the 5.56 round depends on fragmenting for its lethality, the heavier 75 or 77gr bullets are longer and yaw earlier and fragment much better.

From my understanding a 75gr bullet can fragment down to about 2100fps, where as a 55gr round such as XM193 stops fragmenting below 2700fps. Although the 75gr bullet has a lower to begin with compared to the 55gr variety, it does much better in all aspects. If you compare apples to apples, a 75-77gr bullet still outperforms the lighter.

Needless to say, i have three PMAGs that are loaded with TAP 75 5.56 LEO (not .223), i dont think there is a better round than the TAP 75 OTM even their .223 is far superior that anything out there.




Here is a shot of a M855 in gelatin: Notice how late it fragments.










Here is a gelatin shot of the TAP 5.56 (shot from right to left): Notice how early it fragments, and the destructive path. This is why you want a heavier bullet.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Probably your best HD rifle is a shotgun.

Oh brother, here we go again.......

Normally in these thread I am thoughtful and pull out all the good arguments for and against shotguns/rifles but it's just getting old.

The OP has made his choice in a rifle, it's a good choice for him and many others. Shotguns are good choices for others. You're gonna have a hell of a hard time explaining that a shotgun is BETTER. It's just a different approach to the problem.

Nuff said.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I'm not sure anyone is selling a factory loaded round with that bullet (Trophy Bonded Bear Claw) are they?

Yes. Federal sells the 55gr TBBC in their Premium hunting ammo line and both the 55gr and 62gr in their law enforcement line (which you can sometimes find for sale as well).

I hardly ever see it on the shelves at local gunstores; but I do buy the 55gr through Cabela's on occasion. It is pricey though.