Self Defense Ammo for .223?

[rontr1]

I just recently purchased an M&P15 Sport for target shooting as well as SD around our home. I have the Moosberg Persuader for inside our home, but wanted something with more reach for around our home. We live out in the country. I am just wondering what your suggestions may be.
Thanks for any input.

Ron

 

[OKFC05]

Soft point, and remember the rounds will go nearly 2 miles if shot upwards and you miss.

 

[NE450No2]

I have used some sort of 223 as a work gun for over 23 years.

For Urban ammo:
The 55 Gr Winchester Soft point did a great job back in the early 1980's.
I now recommend Winchester 55 gr Ballistic Silvertips. It has performed perfect in several shootings. It also seem the safest when used indoors.
Some of the 40 gr "stuff" penetrates less in building materials, but it does not have enough"flesh" penetration to suit me.

Federal 69 gr Match, and Federal 77gr Match bullets have done good.

If you want more penetration in glass, hard barriers, etc the Federal Tactical 62 gr [with the Trophy Bonded Bearclaw bullet] or any factory load with the Barnes X bullet is a great choice.

For your needs I would suggest the WW 55 gr Ballistic Silvertips in the Mag in the gun, plus a few spares loaded the same, with at least one or two spare mags of the Federal Tactical. That is what I use in my Ready AR...

Also for penetration having some Green Tip/SS109 on hand is not a bad idea.

 

[NE450No2]

I have been involved in a lot of tests shooting various handguns inside buildings.

The WW 55 gr Ballistic Silvertip, has always penetrated less walls than any of the duty type 38, 357, 9mm, 40, or 45 ACP ammo we tested.

Many SWAT teams have switched from a 9mm subgun, to a 223 for two reasons, the 223 is much more incapicating, and a lot safer as to overpenetration in flesh and in walls.

 

[dubhelix]

Ammo

My 5.56 carbine is loaded with Federal M193 (55 grain fmj). It's what I train with, it shoots to poa within 100 yards, and has more than sufficient terminal ballistics at that range. Anything beyond that range would be hard to justify as "defensive". It's also cheap, reliable, and has sealed primers and necks.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I suspect more bandwidth has been consumed on the internet on this question than any other.....I can only relay my experience.
We have used Georgia Arms Canned Heat 55 grn softpoint ammo in our patrol rifles since the late 90's. If I posted the autopsy photos of the effect of the round I would be summarily banned....
We have found it extremely effective in patrol use, my people trust it, and are pleased with it's performance.
Nothing fancy. It is accurate and effective...and we buy it by the 10's of thousands of rounds....with NEVER an ammo related failure. Not sure what more you need.
Is it PERFECT for barriers...probably not. Is it PERFECT for windshields...we don't know...it seems to work well enough in testing. But we know it is effective when used defensively in patrol operations