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9/23/2007 3:23:01 PM EDT
I have a .556 barrel where the 55g and heavier bullets tumble at 30 yards or more. It does shoot 22 LR great and I am planning on making it dedicated to 22s.

Now I am wondering your thoughts on this as a home defense weapon?   It is reliable (never a FTF or FTE). A tumbling 55g .556 round would have less penetration and I imagine would be pretty nasty on flesh at 20 to 30 yards (at most). In a home you don't want a round to have a lot of penetration and go through walls and hit an un-intended target.

Before I decide this barrel will never shoot .556 again, what are your thoughts?

BTW" Under 30 yards, it is perhaps 2 inch groups. Not great, but for it's intended purpose fine.
9/23/2007 3:26:06 PM EDT
[#1]
I’d be looking for a new barrel.
9/23/2007 3:27:43 PM EDT
[#2]
Truck gun ar scrap the bbl
9/23/2007 3:30:31 PM EDT
[#3]

Quoted:
I’d be looking for a new barrel.


Go with your plan on making it 22LR platform only and get a new bbl for your 223 556
9/23/2007 4:07:27 PM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I’d be looking for a new barrel.


Go with your plan on making it 22LR platform only and get a new bbl for your 223 556


YEPP
9/24/2007 5:43:43 AM EDT
[#5]
I already have a new barrel on it. I put this scrap barrel on another old SP1 receiver and plan on using it for 22LR. It may shoot less than 50 grain 223 OK, I just need to get some or re-setup my reloading equipment.

My question wasn't if I need a new barrel, but more regarding the effectiveness of a wobbling bullet at close range for self defense (I actually have a 12 gauge for that so this is more just a theoretical question). An unstable bullet that may keyhole would also offer less penetration and this less danger of going through many walls.
9/24/2007 7:01:40 AM EDT
[#6]
It'll make large, shallow wounds. I would highly recommend you NOT view this as a positive feature and go with the recommended loads.
9/24/2007 10:30:45 AM EDT
[#7]
Brownell's will sell you a new DPMS barrel for about $140
9/24/2007 8:45:10 PM EDT
[#8]

for 145 you can get a new er shaw or wilson arms barrel fron del-ton sold by  jsesurplus.com including front sight assembly , barrel nut, in just about any config you want.
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