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Posted: 10/22/2006 9:44:45 AM EDT
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I am new to the ar-15 gig and i was wondering if 223 FEDERAL 50 GRAIN HOLLOW POINT would be a good defence round? also wondering on how some of u guys do longterm ammo storage? Thanks |
I believe you are referring to the Federal American Eagle 50 Gr. HP. It lacks penetration because it is very light, but it will fragment like crazy. It is not a popular choice for self defense due to the lack of penetration, but it will work. There are however, better choices, especially at the price they sell it for. You'd be better off getting the M193 or Q3131. This will give you an idea on what to choose for home defense: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=281405 Also check out the Federal Rifle Data Book. le.atk.com/223data/223rifle.asp |
| My defense round is Black Hills 68gr BTHP. You will want to read The Ammo Oracle before buying anything. |
That is what it is best used for. Like I said, if that is all you have for Home Defense, it will work, but if you are looking for stuff to buy, there are better things out there for Home Defense at a better price. |
| I have a mag loaded with the same rounds for whatever reason but I use 5.56 75gr TAP for HD and I personally beleive you are better off using something in the 69 to 77gr area but if needed the 50gr will get the job done as long as you put it where it needs to be and that goes for any round no matter what size or grain (except maybe the .50 cal) If you don't want to use the higher grain bullets go with some 5.56 M193 that's a very good all around round |
It depends on the situation the FED 50 HP will Kill easy even if the guy is wearing a Heavy Leather coat 2 100 yards There are better picks that cover DIFFERENT scenario I use in my 14.5 M4 75gr Black hills Mk262 77gr SMK M193 & M855 dont really care wich both are close RANGER 64 PP because its super Cheap and cant find the 62 BC |
AGREED Sometimes I think there are some guys who truely belive that the 50gr HP etc cant make a Kill |
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I think the thinking behind why people say this is due to lack of penetration in the lighter loads. The go into the body and do their thing shallow - they do not reach vitals. This is, of course, a generalization. For example, the TAP55g will go in and "explode" at a shallower depth than the 77g. If you hit them through their arm and rib meat, the 55g may lack the umph to get to the vitals for a quick stop. the key word is quick. A 55g in shallow will make a mess and will cause bleedout (death later) but in defnsive situations you are not going for the kill - but you are going for immediate (or as close to immediate) as can be. Shot placement is key. Even the 55g can be immediate if in right place. You just have a better statistical chance with the heavier loads. A lighter load may get the job done but a heavier load will get the job done (again a generalized statement). 50gHP would be down at the bottom on desirable defensive rounds. If money is a concern just pick up some AE223 55g and use it. It is an excellent HD round (and good to practice with too). It is pledntiful, accuracte, fast, will fragment in HD situations - and very reliable. However, good defensive rounds are not that expensive. |
That's my load. Only thing I've fired that is more accurate has been 69gr Sierra Matchking, and that is only marginally more so but drastically more expensive and with reduced terminal oomph. Let's just say that this time of the year, there are a lot of pumpkins to testify to its effectiveness... The 50gr HP... well I wouldn't want to get shot with it. But you want, in your self defense ammo selection, to go with the round that will have the greatest chance of quick incapacitation. In addition to the Black Hills 68 OTM I have a lot of other stuff: Federal 69 gr Sierra Matchking, m193, Winchester Supreme ballistic silvertip, Guatemalan surplus, Federal V Shock, and soft points from Winchester, Remington, and Monarch (cheap cheap). I don't doubt any of those would kill a perp, but I keep my most reliable mags loaded with the 68 gr OTM because those are, absent great shot placement, the most reliable in terms of incapacitation. Use the 50 HP if that is all you have, but you would do better buying something with a little more consistency. And this is 'merika... we spell "defense" with an S |
Everyone take note - there are NO lightwight OTMs on that list... |
that maybe why I have been useing 69 BTHP since 2001 in my 1/9 twist carbine I now moved to 75gr BH since I now got a DEFENDER M4 1/7 twist But did find out my Bushmaster 1/9 shoots the 75,77 just as well  Most of the BAd guys in IRAQ are under fed as is crack heads there are several scenario where a 50HP would do |
Be VERY mindful of what these two gentlemen have to say. In a HD situation, arm yourself with the BEST posible equipment and ammo that is affordable for you. It MAY give you one of the few advantages in a HD situation. In a HD situation there are MANY factors that may be AGAINST you. Surprise - Drowsyness.... if you were asleep. Reaction time deminished because you were asleep or unprepared. Adrenalin Rush ---> will cause you to shake, affect your eyesight and your breathing patterns making accurate shooting difficult if not impossible. Position --- if awakened, you may not have the best cover and concealment for the situation. Target accquisition and confirmation ---> If it's nighttime and it is dark it is very difficult to confirm WHO or WHAT your target may be without a light and with a light, it gives away YOUR position. It also takes TIME to confirm that your target is a threat. It is obvious that you MUST confirm your target is a threat AND know what lies beyond your target in case of misses. Training-planning - Skill level ---> If you don't train for these situations - don't plan for these situations - and don't develop the skills necessary to offset the above listed disadvantages, then you have ALL of those things against you. All of the factors listed above can and will affect your ability for shot placement and IMHO using the BEST possible HD load for your rifle will be your ONLY edge should you ever face a hostile target. |
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