I know everyone says 5.56 / 223 is like .22lr if it doesn’t fragment (assuming OTM type bullet), but are there any photos of gelatin tests showing what happens? I’m specifically interested in the 75 gr OTM Prvi or Hornady match at 1500-2000fps WITHOUT fragmenting. It is still a lead core bullet so I was just wondering what it ends up doing at fairly high velocities. AND just for comparison I’d like to see some 22lr gel pics to see if it really is similiar.
I’m curious because I’ve got a 12" barrel and most likely won’t get fragmentation past or even to close to 100yards. Thanks if anyone can point me in the right direction.
The bullet will yaw. When it yaws it produces a larger diameter temporary cavity. Whether or not the increased temporary cavitation produces increased permanent disruption of soft tissues depends on the elasticity of the soft tissues involved and where they’re located along the wound track in relation to maximium temporary cavity.
The wound profile would be similar to 123gr 7.62x39 FMJ:
Thanks Shawn,
I really wanted to do some hog hunting and was curious whether I needed to stick with the OTM bullets or go to an expanding hollow point.
The wound profile second from the top illustrates a non-fragmenting, non-deforming 5.56 mm projectile. Note that while the projectile in the illustration is going about twice the velocity as what you are inquiring about, the permanent cavities will be the same; for the reduced velocities you mentioned, visualize a temporary cavity about half the size of what is depicted and you will be in the ball park. You can compare the effects with the 3rd through 5th wound profiles which depict fragmenting 5.56 mm loads.
I would go with an expanding bonded or monolithic bullet. Federal 55/62gr TBBC or Barnes Triple shock work very well on hogs with good shot placement. I have a buddy that hunts hogs with his Mini-14 and has had very good luck with those loads. 60gr Nosler partition, and Federal Fusion loads should work well too. I suggest keeping shots under 125yds on pigs with a .223.
Bernieb90 has given good advice. For hunting, the 62 gr Federal bonded JSP Tactical (LE223T3) and the similarly performing 55 gr Federal bonded JSP load (Tactical–LE223T1 or identical Premium Rifle–P223T2), along with the Nosler 60 gr Partition JSP, Remington 62 gr bonded JSP, Speer 55 & 64 gr Gold Dot JSP’s and identically constructed Federal 62 gr Fusion JSP; Swift 75 gr Scirrocco PT, as well as the Barnes all copper TSX bullets are all great projectiles.
However for hunting hogs I really dig 6.8 mm, including the Barnes TSX and TTSX, Nosler Accubond, and Remington Core-Lokt.
Thanks again guys. Are there velocity minimums I need to worry about with the mentioned hollow points and Solid copper bullets in order for them to perform? I know I could just buy a longer barrel, but i really want to hunt with the 12" since my shots would be relatively close range (under 100 yards).
