I had someone tell me giving me a “hard time” about selling my 5.56 LMT barrel & bolt to upgrade to a 6.5 Grendel. He said I “could train with a .22 conversion much more cheaply.” I told him my police academy class trained with several thousand rounds of .40/155gr and would carry that and I said “so why doesn’t my academy run their guns in .22 and carry .40s?” I also told him that training doesn’t involve just trigger time—it’s actually becoming accustomed to the recoil of the weapon, learning control for follow-up shots, becoming accustomed to carrying the weight of the gun loaded in 40, having to consider the number of shots taken before you reload, and my last reason was “I don’t want to have any bullet in my arsenal that is less than 100 grains.” Were it not for the 20rds of TNT 90gr 6.5G I found at a steal I wouldn’t…everything else is 115gr or heavier. I’m not saying 5.56 75gr TAP wouldn’t be a good home defense round—I just prefer sending heavier bullets downrange.
I mostly trust the heavier weight 5.56 bullets, but would always put more faith into my 6.8.
As far as ammo availability and price goes, I train with .22LR and 5.56 about 90% of the time, but have 6.8 ready to go if push comes to shove. THAT’S my real go-to round.
Pat
One thing to consider on the 5.56 issue (SHTF scenario) is the sheer number of parts, and ammunition for the AR15 platform. It’s cheaper to stockpile ammo and there are countless manufacturers of 5.56, as opposed to , say, 6.8. These are other advantages to the platform and caliber.
I would use use my 556 but living in a townhouse i worry about penetration through the walls so i am forced to used buckshot.
if the first fails theres 27 more coming really quick.
I may be wrong about this, but in previous discussions here with DocGKR 5.56 would be more preferable as it penetrates less than many handgun rounds and 00 buckshot. I am sure that he can chime in.
I’ve seen evidence that 5.56 will penetrate LESS than handgun rounds and buckshot. The Best Defense with Rob Pincus had one of these demonstrations using double-drywall setups. Birdshot was the exception, but I’d trust 5.56 before birdshot as far as stopping a BG. The demo showed both FMJ rounds and 75gr TAP. The TAPs OTM design had it break up and expend it’s energy before extensive penetration. The FMJ penetrated more. Therefore, trust OTM 5.56 as far as less penetration. Even the 9mm handgun rounds, both FMJ and JHP penetrated all the “walls” they set up.
I trust it against the soft targets that would be coming in to meet their end. I have not read of to many people breaking into houses wearing body armor. Not to mention between the dog biting and the BCM rifle working 77gr Black Hills, if that does not work I always have my Kimber Ultra II.
Honestly if anyones in you home i would not be grabbing my AR is would be my mossy 500 or glock 19 not my AR.
Intresting.
Here You go…I found a link to the video I was referring to…Enjoy
yes handgun rounds penetrate more in drywall than 5.56. Obviously because of the grainage and how 5.56 is designed to fragment