Hey I may have started this in the wrong place so any MODs feel free to move it. I am looking to load up some self defense 5.56/.223 ammo that would be equally at home in a 1:7 or 1:9. I’m looking between Nolser 60gr partition, Sierra 69gr matchking, or any suggestions someone more knowledge may have. This will be more keep in the car if SHTF type ammo not for the home or anything like that. I am open for any and all suggestions…including things I may have missed using search. Thanks for any help
The possible legal issues associated with using handloaded ammunition is beyond my area of direct knowledge so I leave that to others with a legal background. Certain people (Massad Ayoob) feel that this is a significant issue while others do not.
The most important thing with any SD ammunition is reliability, and I assume that an experienced handloader would be extremely careful when preparing loads for SD usage.
Other than that you can choose any of the bullets that Dr. Roberts mentioned as being acceptable for 1/9 twists in the 5.56 duty load sticky. The 60gr Nosler partition is a good bullet, and also works well on barriers. If barriers are not a significant issue I would go with the 68gr MHP from Hornady. These are cheaper than the 69gr Sierras, and exhibit good fragmentation. Some 1/9 barrels will stabilize the 75gr Hornady OTM (not A-Max) so it might be worth trying it out before going down to the lighter weight bullets. These component bullets are same T1 bullets as are used in the .223 75gr TAP loads.
You would most likely be better off purchasing your SD rifle ammo from a reputable vendor–ATK (Federal/Speer), Black Hills, Hornady, Remington, Winchester who knows how to properly make LE duty/military SOF ammo…
is the Hornady 75gr OTM the same as their match hollow point? just wondering, its the only listing i see however it does say not to use match ammo on medium or large sized game on their website.
Yes it is. Many companies use that blanket statement. There are usualy better choices for hunting. Many of these bullets are designed with match shooting in mind. They use very soft swaged lead cores, and thin copper jackets in their construction. This makes for a bullet that is very accurate, and very concentric, but it also makes for abullet that is very fragile.
The requirements for hunting large game, and SD are different. For SD we want to do maximum damage to anatomical structures within 0-(12"-18") of penetration. .223/5.56 OTMs accomplish this by yawing 90 degrees after 1-2", and fragmenting resulting in increased wounding, and more rapid incapacitation. That said people have succesfully taken deer, and pig sized game with these loads sometimes with spectacular results.
Hunters shooting at large game must deal with large bones, heavy muscle that human do not have. Hunters may be firing at odd angles that require very deep penetation. Hunters are also often concerned with meat damage which there is quire abit of with these loads. If hunting game with .223 there are better choices than fragmenting match bullets. In fact .223 barrier loads (55gr TBBC, 60gr Partition, Barnes TSX, etc.) make great deer, and pig hunting loads in this caliber.
I should mention that Dr. Roberts gave you some very good advice in his post above. It may be a good idea to handload practice ammo, and then use factory loads for actual defensive usage.
thanks all for your help, I respect Dr. Roberts opinion very much and that will more than likely be the way I go. I just always like to keep options open if ammo ever gets in short supply again