Grant,
I’ll be calling you later today. However, you state above that the 55gr FMJ I am likely to find will be lower powered .223 rounds rather than Mil-spec M193.
If I understood what I read on Ammo Oracle, two factors came into play on measuring the ability of the FMJ to fragment - velocity and construction.
As long as I can get >= 2700 fps, I should have sufficient velocity. I know I can get this velocity with a .223 round, though perhaps not out as far as I would with the M193.
It’s the bullet construction that may not be Mil-spec. While the TAP round may indeed be a viable choice for defense use, I am assuming it is both expensive and somewhat hard to find in quantity.
I will still need a supply of suitable rounds for storage.
Depending on the cost and quantity availabe of the Hornady TAP, I still need to determine the ability of the 55gr Black Hills FMJ to fragment, the American Eagle 50gr HP to expant, and the 50-55gr V-max to penetrate.
Thanks. I’ll talk to you soon.
moonshot