What is a preferred home defense round for 5.56 or .223 AR?

[x007x]

Hello, what rounds do prefer for home defense with an AR?
Any tips, advice,etc.. Is also appreciated.
Thanks everyone.

[Andrew]

I have a 1 in 7 twist Colt. I have a great deal of like for the Hornady 75 grain 5.56 TAP T2 that I was able to acquire a long time ago. I don't think its available anymore. Hornady still makes the TAP in lower pressure .223, still a very good round. In my bug out bag mags I have Black Hills 5.56 77 grain OTM which is the civilian version of the 5.56 Mk 262 mod 1 military round. The OTM provides great accuracy for longer shots and because it's a butt heavy bullet it tends yaw on penetration and fragment quite handily.

[MoJo]

I'm a fan of the old, reliable M193 round or it's clones.

[texanjoker]

I have some federal tactical urban LE rounds. They are made to avoid going through walls, ect.

[Andrew]

I'm a fan of the old, reliable M193 round or it's clones.

I liked the M193 or the Winchester Q3131's with a lower twist barrel 1/9 or 1/12.

[TheDude]

Hornady TAP. The bullet weight will depend on your twist rate. However, the more research I do the more it seems that even 55gr FMJ like the M193 seems to penetrate far less than buckshot or handgun rounds in your home. An AR is actually a really good home defense weapon. I would not recommend using the Green Tips M855 in your home though.

[Moby]

Forgive my ignorance on the round.
I do not own a .223 firearm.

Isn't it a bit much for home protection?
I'm thinking serious penetration issues.
Heck I'm concerned over slugs in my 870.

I own an AR 10 in .308, I can't imagine using that.

[The Annoyed Man]

Although my "go to war" ammo is mostly either M855 or M193 ball, for home defense believe it or not I just buy the inexpensive Monarch 55 grain soft points with the brass case. I figure that the soft point will help prevent over-penetration and will be less likely to transit heavier walls and such. I'm not too worried about going through an inner wall and hitting a family member.....there's just the two us these days, and we sleep in the same room/bed.....but I'd like to be assured that my outer walls contain whatever I shoot so that my neighbors don't have to worry.

Before the Great Panic of 2012, that Monarch 55 grain soft point ammo sold for about $9.95/20 round box. I keep two 20 round mags stocked with it and handy, on a bedside table along with some other goodies.

[packa45]

193 federal and TAP I have 3 mags of each in my shooter bag that is in my closet... Handgunin the night stand so I can fight my way to the closet if need be. Also have an 870 pump loaded with #4 buck readily available so the wife has something while I am clearing the house and waiting the 10-15 minute response time of our boys in "blue".

[cajunautoxer]

I have 5 mags next to my bed of the black hills 77grain for bump in the night noises

[x007x]

I have 5 mags next to my bed of the black hills 77grain for bump in the night noises

I checked at AimSurplus and cheaperthendirt, but didn't see those on the site.

[Scott in Houston]

With a rifle, I think all rounds are "just fine" for defense. The damage caused and/lethal effectiveness on anything coming out of my AR will be sufficient.
I shoot 55 grain for any penetration issues.
As for walls, even a 9mm has issues. I don't think there's a round on the planet that's effective self defense that doesn't suffer from concerns with traveling through walls.

Today, what .223/5.56 is sufficient?? Any round I can get a hold of!!!

[x007x]

Well the only rounds I have for me AR is the bulk 500 round count I think, and those or FMJs.

[gigag04]

Hornady TAP

[TheDude]

Forgive my ignorance on the round.
I do not own a .223 firearm.

Isn't it a bit much for home protection?
I'm thinking serious penetration issues.
Heck I'm concerned over slugs in my 870.

I own an AR 10 in .308, I can't imagine using that.

Actually the .223 tends to fragment when it hits something. You right to be concerned about shotgun slugs. Those are going to penetrate a LOT more than .223/5.56. Here is a pretty good article on the subject of .223 for home defense.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2012/02/10/l ... e-caliber/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;