Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

I'd like suggestions for general purpose defensive ammo selection for the AR-15 family please, I might be interested in getting a 16" barreled carbine. Bullet weights / barrel lengths and twists / terminal performance / reliability (including feeding reliability) / availability are my criteria. Also interested in your thoughts on the gas system debate / choices.

TIA.

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

From what I read,you need to know what barrel twist you have to know what round will work best.

With mine it is 55 grain..

I have a 14.5'' barrel with 4'' flashhider.

It is so cute.:D

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

Well most of what I've read about the short barreled carbines are that they're 1 in 7" twist to stabilize the heavier bullets. But then I read that the well-stabilized SS109 ammo just drills holes in soft targets. So what are people running? Heavy softpoints? Do they feed reliably?

Terminal performance is an important consideration, but just one of many. If I'm gonna buy a new rifle I want to do it right the first time.

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

Federal XM193 or the federal hallow points. http://wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?i...dir=18|830|845

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

I use 55 gr. FMJ in my 16" 1 in 9" barrel. Seems to work good for me.

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

If you're looking for terminal performance you probably should be looking for something other than 5.56.

Unless you're made of money, it's pretty hard to stock up on ANY 5.56 these days. You might want to look at 5.45. Terminally, they'll be fairly similar (with the caveat that there is a LOT more bullet variety for 5.56), but 5.45 can still be had for 12cents per round, and 5.56 is roughly 3x the price.

That said, if I were looking for terminal performance from a 5.56, I'd be looking at a polymer tipped bullet. Hornady TAP is good, but you can probably get the same thing cheaper from Hunting Shack Munitions, or have it custom loaded.

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

Terminal Performance..... That is exactly what I would call a series of quarter inch holes in the central nervous system.
There are NO MAGIC bullets.
learn to shoot.
practice frequently.
RUN hard and then shoot.
Have your friends heckle you, throw stuff at you and make loud noises while you shoot.
Engage multiple targets, while stop watch is running, compete with friends for time.
Make up shooting games to make practice a bunch of fun.

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

Lot of decent advice...

For the AR-15 platform in 5.56, the best all-around general-purpose load for any barrel length (14.5 to 24 inch) or rate of twist (12 inch to 7 inch) is probably the Federal 55 gr. FMJ designated XM193 and still available from a few sources...at a relatively "reasonable" price.

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

I use Hornady's 223 REM 75 GR TAP - FPD. With the heavy weight it will fragment much better out the shorter barrel length.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_ses...aec57bb74a84a5

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

I lucked out recently and was able to grab a couple of boxes of 100 round value packs wally world a few weeks ago- checked a week later and it had flown off the shelves...
edit: actually it was federal .223- I recon it wasn't XM193 spec... still was an ok deal at 38frns a box


that polymer stuff is friggin pricy for stocking up on

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

Thanks to all who replied! I'll get some M193 for practice and some of the Hornady 75gr OTM TAP for function-testing, zeroing and then reserve it for defensive use.

It looks like the 1/7" barrels are the only way to go, and with the 5.56x45 chambering vice the .223 SAAMI chamber. I will seek the 5.56x45 TAP ammo vice the .223 TAP due to the following factors:

Crimped and sealed primer
Bullet sealed at case
Different bullet ogive (T2) designed for better feeding in AR-15's and clones
Higher pressure acceptable in appropriately-chambered weapons

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

I don't know if you live near a Dick's Sporting Goods store, but if you do use this coupon for ammo purchases...

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...achsCoupon.jpg

It works out well.

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

55 Gr is probably your best all around ammo, Get some 62gr M855 also to try and I keep a supply of 55gr ballistic Tips handy also. The 69gr HPBT is a good match round

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

I have found alot of my 5.56 questions answered here:

http://www.ammo-oracle.com/

Re: Ammo selection for AR-15 family
 

The ammo-oracle site is a bit hosed...you can still get some good info there, however.