.223/5.56 Ballistics question??

[Dwikkles]

Since i'm not savy with all the scientific numbers and all that,i'll just be blunt.

I'm wondering what .223/5.56 round has the most devastating effect on a human target.

In other words,what weight/type of bullet has the greatest chance of killing or at least stopping a person?

I've been looking at some of the following,not some much for practice but for defensive use.

Hornady 75gr JHP
Federal TRU 64gr Hi-Shock Soft Point
Black Hills 77gr Sierra MatchKing

What do you guys think?

[rayra]

It's not the answer you want, nor does it accomodate your attempt to reduce the issue to a straightforward metric, but I think shot placement is more inportant than any of the variations in those bullets.
Doubly so, if they're fired from a short-barreled carbine with the concomitant loss of velocity (which is after all leading to all the variations of 'heavy' bullets being fielded, trying to make up for that loss of velocity).

But all other things being equal, AND havin gthe appropriate barrel / twist rate, I'd opt for heavier and preferably hollow point / expanding. I want the most grievous wound channel I can inflict. And a bullet that transfers ALL of its energy into the target, rather than zipping right through, has got to be better.
I just don't think the .223 is sufficient. I'd rather hammer targets with a .30-family round with 2-3x the projectile weight at almost the same velocity.

[ETD1010]

77 grain bullets are supposed to do a nice job. Look into the details about it. Lots of stuff floating around here and elsewhere.

[Beelzy]

You listed the bullets in fact in their respective order.

BTW, the Sierra Matchking is a match bullet and not recommended for
hunting or self defense.

[Corbin Dallas]

62g FMJBT is the gold standard in our military.

Cartridge, 5.56mm, Ball, M855



TM 43-0001-27: M855
The cartridge is used by the M249 machine gun and the M16A2/A3/A4 and M4-series weapons. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel and unarmored targets. This is a training standard item used in both training and combat.

The M855 cartridge has a 62-grain, gilded metal-jacketed, lead alloy core bullet with a steel penetrator. The primer and case are waterproof.

This ammunition should not be used in the M16A1 except under emergency conditions, and only at targets less than 90 meters in distance. (The twist of the M16A1 rifling is not sufficient to stabilize the heavier projectile of the round).

The cartridge is identified by a green bullet tip.

Type Classification: STD - MSR 05826003. Type Classification Date: 1982.
Unit cost: $0.26 (Fiscal Year 2005).

[Fjold]

In a SHTF scenario you are not usually concerned with armor or bullet resistant vests so just about any bullet will do. The steel core penetrating ammunition may be less "devastating" (I'm not sure of the criteria here) than a faster expanding bullet.

[Dwikkles]

I've got some people telling me the 77gr is the most damaging,and then some say its a Match round and not for defense use.

Can anyone explain?

[rksimple]

I've got some people telling me the 77gr is the most damaging,and then some say its a Match round and not for defense use.

Can anyone explain?

The 77 SMK is a match bullet and Sierra doesn't recommend it for hunting. It is one of the best for defense as it has a thin jacket, and upon entry, will yaw and fragment very well. It can do it at lower velocities (as compared to m193, m855, etc.) as well. Here's a test.

[lazuris]

unless you have a 1:8 barrel than it doesn't matter which one is better or not as your accuracy will be the sux. In a standard 1:9 68-69g is the top bullet weight that will be accurate in that barrel.

[bobfried]

The "greatest and latest" right now?

Brown tip stuff made for the special people. That's what being used to take out terrorists and other baddies as we speak. Most of the info is available online if you search for it. You won't ever see it in the store as a complete round but you can roll your own using the bullet is is based upon:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=837001&t=11082005

This round, however, is not optimized for the average grunt, that will be the domain of the new ammunition that should be coming out of the DOD in a year time. That round currently has no designation and is still being tested and vetted by JAG to ensure it does not violate any international treaties.

The third round in development right now is a barrier blind type of round based on Federal bonded bullets. That won't see the light of day unless the Marine Corps decides to invest further, otherwise the big Army is not interested.

SO right now, you can roll your own based on your requirements. If your talking maximum destruction in flesh than the Barnes TSX is top of the heap, you want barrier penetration and a bit more oomph through armor than your best choice is the Federal TOTM. Either bullet, along with other components will put you into the $2 per round mark once all is said and done.

[Dwikkles]

There we go.Thanks for the replies fella's.

Thats what I was wondering.I'm only concerned with affect on human targets.

Not armored though.

I think i'l try a box of each but right now i'm leaning towards the Fed.64gr Hi-Shocks.

I have a 1/9 Stag 16"

And its sighted right now with 55gr Rems.Im sure that'll change a bit.

BTW I shoot close range mostly.7-1oo yards.

[Californio]

What about the 75g A-Max, thin skinned, comes apart for making nasty frag, flies well and has a good price point. Only the Military has to worry about legal issues.

[Fjold]

BTW, If you are talking about the terminal effects, it's not ballistics.

[rksimple]

What about the 75g A-Max, thin skinned, comes apart for making nasty frag, flies well and has a good price point. Only the Military has to worry about legal issues.

Its a great bullet. Needs to be loaded around 2.500" to work well. Won't happen in typical magazines.