[trainershawn]

Just curious what those with the "evil" black rifles are keeping for a rainy day. I don't have a large amount on hand as I generally use it up when I buy it. But I did start to put a few boxes of M193 and M855 away for a rainy day. But, since I have a bolt in .223, I started saving more of the .223 than the 5.56. My round of choice for HD is the Black Hills SP in .223. I want expansion in close quarters. The bulk of my ammo put aside is FMJ's with a mixture of .223 and 5.56. I also have some MK318 but really don't see much of a need for it in a SD/HD situation. Curious what others prefer in their AR's for HD and SHTF. FYI, my rifle has a 16" barrel with a 1:9 twist which is why I primarily buy the M193 and M855. Anyway, just curious what others select for ammo in their AR's and why. I'm always looking for a better round. But, with the cost of ammo, and lack thereof, I usually stick to FMJ's. Bonded rounds seem to be getting ridiculously expensive and I don't think it's logical to stock them up for SHTF. Unless your rich, which I am not.

 

[AsteroidX]

Im shit for gun talk but from what I read your barrel has something to do with it. If it is a 5.56 marked barrel then the 5.56 and .223 are interchangeable. 5.56 being preferred atm as its gonna be a n expensive to get ammo REAL fast (IMO). Im sure someone will be along shortly to give very accurate info. Can someone also clarify if .223 is a bolt action ammo type as well ?

 

[Denton]

Well, heck yes .223 is a bolt action rifle, as well. Varmints up to deer are plugged with them!

As far as .223/5.56, the rounds look the same, but the 5.56 has thicker walls, more powder and higher pressure. That is why it is best not to fire them through weapons stamped .223. Bad things could happen to the rifle and the warranty is voided.

 

[armyguy]

Well I think stocking up what you can is best. Whatever that is on sale or cheap. Since you are also stocking up for bolt action .223. then you should stock up more .223.
But I find that manytimes 5.56 rounds are cheaper so I have a lot more of those. I do have a mix lot of .223 and 5.56 with more on the lattter.

So for a budget prepper, one should go ahead and buy the most with the least amount of money. I mean how much do you need for your bolt action? 1000? 5000? You can only fire so much out of a bolt action in a day. So I would say since the 5.56 are cheaper for the most part, stock up enough .223 and then just buy whatever that is cheap. If your rifles can take those russian steels then buy russian .223 or 5.56. they are more bang for the buck. In a SHTF situation or a firefight the name of the game is having more ammo that the other guy.

 

[Fuzzee]

I agree that since you've got a bolt-action chambered in .223 you should be stocking up on .223 to feed it than using 5.56x45mm for reasons of the chamber and dangerous pressure differences. A bolt-action is not a good defensive gun either way in a semi and fully automatic world. The time it takes you to chamber another round could be your butt in a fight against someone armed with a semi or fully automatic rifle or pistol. I suggest since you've bought some 5.56x45mm already, you save and get yourself an AR15. It's the better choice by far for a HD/Shtf rifle with it's capability and popularity which makes for more common parts, ammo, gear and magazines.

 

[J.T.]

You guys seen the price of .223/5.56 lately?? Makes me want to curse.

 

[countdown]

The majority of my .223 stockpile is 55gr FMJ handloads with a good amount of 69gr and 80gr loads thrown in for the comp. rifle.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

You guys seen the price of .223/5.56 lately?? Makes me want to curse.

Just wait. You haven't seen anything yet.
The talking heads on the TV news, who know absolutely zilch about firearms, are all nattering about the "devestating" .223 "bullet" and how the Newtown shooter used "special bullets" to increase the lethiality.
Soon the politicians in washington will pick up the mantra so it will look like they "are doing something to protect the children."
Rather than try to ban those evil AR's, they could very well ban the manufacture of .223 and/or 5.56 ammo.
Or just place a VERY restrictive tax on them.

 

[Alpha-17]

For home defense, stay away from FMJ or SP. Both will over penetrate, and the SP may not properly expand at the close ranges we're talking about. Mk318 is an option, as it will expand very well at close ranges, but over penetration is a problem. You could try something light weight, such as a varmint round, or the opposite, something heavy like Hornady's 75gr TAP round.

 

[trainershawn]

For home defense, stay away from FMJ or SP. Both will over penetrate, and the SP may not properly expand at the close ranges we're talking about. Mk318 is an option, as it will expand very well at close ranges, but over penetration is a problem. You could try something light weight, such as a varmint round, or the opposite, something heavy like Hornady's 75gr TAP round.

What about the VMAX rounds? I've heard good and bad using them for HD. They will fragment quickly but they lack the deep penetration to hit vitals is what I've heard. I have no experience with them however.

 

[trainershawn]

Just wait. You haven't seen anything yet.
The talking heads on the TV news, who know absolutely zilch about firearms, are all nattering about the "devestating" .223 "bullet" and how the Newtown shooter used "special bullets" to increase the lethiality.
Soon the politicians in washington will pick up the mantra so it will look like they "are doing something to protect the children."
Rather than try to ban those evil AR's, they could very well ban the manufacture of .223 and/or 5.56 ammo.
Or just place a VERY restrictive tax on them.

Went to Dicks Sporting Goods to pick up some 223 and 22lr ammo yesterday. They were completely out of 22lr and the shelves were thin with 223. They had a sign up saying that due to high demand, people were limited to buying 5 boxes of ammo. There is a storm coming, and it's going to get ugly I'm afraid. Glad I'm learning how to reload this winter. Ammo is going to get ridiculously expensive.

 

[countdown]

Glad I'm learning how to reload this winter. Ammo is going to get ridiculously expensive.

If that's the case, start stocking up on components as well; they're starting to thin out too. Brass usually isn't an issue, but stock up on the 3P's: primers, powder and projectiles.

 

[trainershawn]

If that's the case, start stocking up on components as well; they're starting to thin out too. Brass usually isn't an issue, but stock up on the 3P's: primers, powder and projectiles.

Crapola, didn't even think about the components getting hard to find. I have plenty of brass, it's the components I'm going to need. I guess I better put my internet order together today. Ugh.

 

[Seneca]

I've been shopping .223 brass lately and finding more often that not it's not available and listed as a backorderable item on line and not on the shelves in the local gun shops. Hope it's just a hitch in supply and not the harbinger of things to come...

 

[trainershawn]

I've been shopping .223 brass lately and finding more often that not it's not available and listed as a backorderable item on line and not on the shelves in the local gun shops. Hope it's just a hitch in supply and not the harbinger of things to come...

I think it's a sign of things to come. Back in 2008 ammo was scarce for months and a lot more expensive. Things calmed down and manufacturers caught up. This election we didn't see the panic buying we saw back then so prices and availability stayed reasonable. However, in light of recent events, I've been reading articles of people going into gun shops and buying all the AR's, AK's, etc. on the shelves. There may be a grandfather clause in any legislation passed, but from here on out, I don't know that online ordering will be available anymore and that will give local gun shops the ability to really jack up the price on ammo. I also wouldn't be surprised if we see a ridiculous tax on ammunition from here on. The administration was waiting for a horrific event that would put the population behind a ban, and now they have it. Eliminate the ammo, the guns just become an expensive club.

 

[Alpha-17]

What about the VMAX rounds? I've heard good and bad using them for HD. They will fragment quickly but they lack the deep penetration to hit vitals is what I've heard. I have no experience with them however.

No experience with them either. If they do have the shallow penetration like you say, it would probably be a good idea to avoid them.

 

[Smitty901]

Not saying what I have but stock up Now on all you can. If you site the AR for it the .223 will shoot ok in the 5.56 barrel .
Bolt action .223 is a varmint gun not a bear rifle 193 should kill what needs killing for you. As a good over all round

 

[Seneca]

trainershawn,
I think you may be right about panic buying. I don't think it wouldn't take much to get the panic buying ball rolling. Given recent events, the massive ammount of media coverage and political tone of the progressives. I'd be suprised if panic buying wasn't already in full swing.

 

[shadownmss]

The majority of my .223 stockpile is 55gr FMJ handloads with a good amount of 69gr and 80gr loads thrown in for the comp. rifle.

That is the way to go reloading.........I am all setup to reload .223, 9mm and .357.......I am working on stockpiling powder, primer, bullets and brass

 

[rice paddy daddy]

What about the VMAX rounds? I've heard good and bad using them for HD. They will fragment quickly but they lack the deep penetration to hit vitals is what I've heard. I have no experience with them however.

They are designed for rapid, explosive, fragmentation. Not much good for anything bigger than prairie dogs. I bought a box of Hornady VMAX .223 as anti-coyote medicine only to find out thru further research they are no good for something that big.
If I am going to shoot an animal, I owe it to the animal to make it a quick death.
If I am going to shoot a human trying to hurt me, I owe it to myself to put the perp in the dirt as quickly as possible.