Best Self-Defense ammo for 10.5" AR pistol?

July 19, 2019, 02:10 AM

i8mtm

I would like to hear recommendations for good self-defense 5.56/.223 carry ammo in a 10.5" AR pistol.

My preference would be something in 55 grain so I could use cheaper 55gr. ball to practice with.

Ideally, this ammo would have good performance around windshields and other common barriers.

Also, would like the ammo to be fairly easy to acquire, not super-rare unobtainium ammo.

Any links/articles/reviews/YouTube videos you can suggest on this topic are appreciated as well.

Thanks!

~i8mtm

July 19, 2019, 02:19 AM

Chowser

No videos and not your weight but I’ve tested Hornady TAP SBR 75gr on cars and we liked it and made it our duty round for those of us with 10.5”. We use their 62gr barrier round for the 14.5-16” rifles.

July 19, 2019, 03:03 AM

CQB60

I like the Nosler 64gr Defense Bonded Solid Base from MK18 typed platforms

July 19, 2019, 10:18 AM

94hokie

Another vote for the Hornaday TAP.

July 19, 2019, 10:31 AM

Strambo

Good performing and easy to find would be Federal Fusion 62g bonded soft points. It is what I have for my 10.5" The difference in 62g and 55g for practice isn't going to matter.

July 19, 2019, 11:10 AM

El Cid 92

I agree... Hornady Tap 75gr. Excellent performance.

Andrew

July 19, 2019, 12:23 PM

Oat_Action_Man

The AR15.com Youtube channel has extensive gel testing of many .223/5.56 loads of all sorts. Much of that testing is done from short barrels (though I feel like he uses an 11.5" more often).

It's a very good resource.

July 19, 2019, 02:14 PM

DaBigBR

I would be concerned about velocity with the heavier rounds. I would consider 55 grain Gold Dot. Pretty reasonably priced, decent performance, and obviously the same weight as cheap practice stuff.

July 19, 2019, 02:29 PM

fritz

quote:
Originally posted by i8mtm:
I would like to hear recommendations for good self-defense 5.56/.223 carry ammo in a 10.5" AR pistol.

My preference would be something in 55 grain so I could use cheaper 55gr. ball to practice with.

There are some good load options. As noted above Hornady 75, Nosler 64, Fusion 62, Gold Dots, probably most rounds designed for hunting game.

Don't fret over practicing with different weight bullets. Point of impact with virtually all 223 ammo for a AR sighted in at 100 yards will still be vary near the 100 yard zero. Your pistol will be shooting at distances less than 100 yards, therefore any point of impact shift from one load to the next will be unnoticeable. Your own shooting technique will make more difference in accuracy than the loads.

Recoil will be about the same from any 223 load. Velocity will vary from load to load, and will be higher with lighter bullets -- but it won't make any difference for the distances you will be using.

Well, unless you think you will be shooting at small targets of 500 yards or more...

July 19, 2019, 05:25 PM

ShoreGuy

quote:
Originally posted by fritz:
quote:
Originally posted by i8mtm:
I would like to hear recommendations for good self-defense 5.56/.223 carry ammo in a 10.5" AR pistol.

My preference would be something in 55 grain so I could use cheaper 55gr. ball to practice with.

There are some good load options. As noted above Hornady 75, Nosler 64, Fusion 62, Gold Dots, probably most rounds designed for hunting game.

Don't fret over practicing with different weight bullets. Point of impact with virtually all 223 ammo for a AR sighted in at 100 yards will still be vary near the 100 yard zero. Your pistol will be shooting at distances less than 100 yards, therefore any point of impact shift from one load to the next will be unnoticeable. Your own shooting technique will make more difference in accuracy than the loads.

Recoil will be about the same from any 223 load. Velocity will vary from load to load, and will be higher with lighter bullets -- but it won't make any difference for the distances you will be using.

Well, unless you think you will be shooting at small targets of 500 yards or more...

All good choices...OP what’s your twist rate? That’s as key to the right round as barrel length. My 11.5” 1/7 gets the 62 gr. Fusion MSR’s, my 14.5” 1/7 gets the Mk262’s (because that’s what I have, I’d like some of the 75 gr. Gold Dots), and my 16” 1/9 gets the 55 gr. Gold Dots. I’d be equally happy with Rangers, TAP or the hard to find 6? Gr. FBI TBBC.

July 19, 2019, 05:47 PM

smithnsig

quote:
Originally posted by Strambo:
Good performing and easy to find would be Federal Fusion 62g bonded soft points. It is what I have for my 10.5" The difference in 62g and 55g for practice isn't going to matter.

Yeah. Fusions have great terminals in a short barrel.

July 19, 2019, 08:23 PM

jljones

The TAP hasn't faired well in actual shootings. Matter of fact, it doesn't do very well at all. The TAP Barrier is fantastic. We issued the TAP for a long time but the performance was pretty poor. We then bought TAP Barrier and the Federal T1. Both are great loads out of 10 inch HK 416s.