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There's another thread on .223 for defense in the home. I picked up some of Hornady's Critical Defense, which comes in 55 gr and 73 gr, both flat flex tips. I bought some of the 73 gr. I chose that bullet weight due to previous Hornady recommendations in their TAP product line and that I'm not worried about use indoors. Powders are selected for low flash.
First, it shoots pretty much to the same POI as 55 gr FMJ, at least to 100 yards. Time of day issues with going farther. YMMV. I didn't chronograph the loads, the primers are flat! 16 inch barrel used for testing. ETA: claimed velocity from a 24 inch barrel is 2790 f/s.
I lined up 6 water filled 1 gallon milk jugs and fired one round through 4 layers of denim at about 9 yards. The first 2 jugs shattered, the third was driven flat and the rest moved on the support and either also went flat or fell off the board. Stunning display of energy transfer.
The separated cup and core were recovered in the 3rd jug. Calculated penetration was 9.7 inches, this lines up well with the design intent of 10 inches of penetration. Authorities consider this adequate for defensive use as the threat is usually facing the defender, no limbs of the body have to be penetrated.
Retained weight of cup & core was 33 grs, very slightly better than a similar weight TAP round (45% v 36%), per the factory literature. Diameter of core was 0.385- 0.440 in. Cup was similar with a streamer that went out to 0.660 in. Separation of cup & core not considered a defect for this purpose.
Drywall passthrough test, water jugs 8-10 inches back from the interior drywall partition simulation. Range about 7 yards.
Bullets produced an exit hole ½ in in diameter in the drywall, most .223 produce ¼ in exit hole.
First water jug (bare-forgot about denim) shattered, the second jug contained the cup and core, retained weight 32 gr. Didn't bother to try to measure the cup and core. Much worse shape than the sample without the drywall partition. Calculated penetration 5.8 inches. The denim layers may have marginally improved that. Hornady does mention that the Critical Defense line isn't intended to be a barrier penetrator, but expected a bit more going through drywall.
First, it shoots pretty much to the same POI as 55 gr FMJ, at least to 100 yards. Time of day issues with going farther. YMMV. I didn't chronograph the loads, the primers are flat! 16 inch barrel used for testing. ETA: claimed velocity from a 24 inch barrel is 2790 f/s.
I lined up 6 water filled 1 gallon milk jugs and fired one round through 4 layers of denim at about 9 yards. The first 2 jugs shattered, the third was driven flat and the rest moved on the support and either also went flat or fell off the board. Stunning display of energy transfer.
The separated cup and core were recovered in the 3rd jug. Calculated penetration was 9.7 inches, this lines up well with the design intent of 10 inches of penetration. Authorities consider this adequate for defensive use as the threat is usually facing the defender, no limbs of the body have to be penetrated.
Retained weight of cup & core was 33 grs, very slightly better than a similar weight TAP round (45% v 36%), per the factory literature. Diameter of core was 0.385- 0.440 in. Cup was similar with a streamer that went out to 0.660 in. Separation of cup & core not considered a defect for this purpose.
Drywall passthrough test, water jugs 8-10 inches back from the interior drywall partition simulation. Range about 7 yards.
Bullets produced an exit hole ½ in in diameter in the drywall, most .223 produce ¼ in exit hole.
First water jug (bare-forgot about denim) shattered, the second jug contained the cup and core, retained weight 32 gr. Didn't bother to try to measure the cup and core. Much worse shape than the sample without the drywall partition. Calculated penetration 5.8 inches. The denim layers may have marginally improved that. Hornady does mention that the Critical Defense line isn't intended to be a barrier penetrator, but expected a bit more going through drywall.
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