So, you have an AR for home defense, SHTF - what ammo?

HKaltwasser · Sep 25, 2018

55gr soft point varmint loads don't have to worry about over penetration. They spall very fast upon impact, not that I have to worry too much where I am anyways.
This is what I keep in my gun next to my bed. I have a wide range of ammos though that I pack away. Tracer, penetrator, FMJ, and soft points for closer range

DwnRange · Sep 26, 2018

O.S.O.K. 1961 said:
Hmm, the thread seems to have meandered quite a bit. lol

I was just wondering what folk use for their go-to ammo.

Barnes 70 grn Triple-Shoks in my 5.56 ARs and DoubleTap 110 grn Barnes Triple-Shoks in my 6.8SPC AR.

Nothing out performs either IRL on man or beast.

ps - meandering is what many do best here at TGT.....

O.S.O.K. 1961 · Sep 28, 2018

O.S.O.K. 1961 · Dec 2, 2018

One thing I thought of after posting this thread is that different AR's have barrels with different twist rates.... and of course, an older AR with 1:12" twist rate would need to stick with no heavier than 55 grain loads to get good accuracy. My own AR has a 1:7" rate so can handle the heavies but wouldn't do very well with anything under 55 grains... 1:9" is probably the most versatile in a practical sense - which is what I think most AR's have.

kenboyles72 · Dec 2, 2018

Whatever is the cheapest at the moment. I am slowly building up good stash of Monarch 223 55gr steel case. At less than $5/box, not that hard on the pocket book and is pretty accurate from my AR. I do have some 223 Winchester Power Points that I have set aside for deer/hog hunting. My AR is not gonna be used if someone breaks in the house, my pistol is gonna be the first thing I grab.

O.S.O.K. 1961 · Dec 2, 2018

I like steel cased ammo for the AK's of all calibers but I find it's very dirty in the AR. The AK is designed for steel cased ammo but the AR isn't, so I avoid it for my AR.

lightflyer1 · Feb 3, 2019

I skipped reading most of the posts but if the SHTF for real, any ammo you can get will be welcome, I would imagine. At some point you are just going to have to use whatever is available.

Inspector43 · Feb 3, 2019

O.S.O.K. 1961 said:
I like steel cased ammo for the AK's of all calibers but I find it's very dirty in the AR. The AK is designed for steel cased ammo but the AR isn't, so I avoid it for my AR.

I've tried to use steel cased but most ranges won't allow them anymore. They make you leave your brass. Then they pick it up and sell it. One range in Houston told me that the EPA ruled that spent brass was hazardous. It could only be picked up by trained, properly suited personnel. I said you are full of it and left. Anybody else run in to this?

Charlie · Feb 3, 2019

lightflyer1 said:
I skipped reading most of the posts but if the SHTF for real, any ammo you can get will be welcome, I would imagine. At some point you are just going to have to use whatever is available.

Which will probably work in any home invasion!

easy rider · Feb 3, 2019

Inspector43 said:
I've tried to use steel cased but most ranges won't allow them anymore. They make you leave your brass. Then they pick it up and sell it. One range in Houston told me that the EPA ruled that spent brass was hazardous. It could only be picked up by trained, properly suited personnel. I said you are full of it and left. Anybody else run in to this?

My range said to take as much as you want. Pretty much said if you pick up your own and at least throw out several others it would help to clean up the area.

BRD@66 · Feb 3, 2019

easy rider said:
My range said to take as much as you want. Pretty much said if you pick up your own and at least throw out several others it would help to clean up the area.

You sir, are obviously properly suited for the job.

Inspector43 · Feb 3, 2019

easy rider said:
My range said to take as much as you want. Pretty much said if you pick up your own and at least throw out several others it would help to clean up the area.

I think it was all BS by that Houston range. They want to keep the brass and don't want to sort steel from brass. Most people who sort use magnets and is not an issue. The range had changed owners. Do you remember that range on Mason Road that had all the controversial advertising on their marque? It was in the news a lot. The original owner was an alright guy. Then he was forced out or sold out.

easy rider · Feb 3, 2019

BRD@66 said:
You sir, are obviously properly suited for the job.

That was at the orientation, there were about 25 of us.

easy rider · Feb 3, 2019

Inspector43 said:
I think it was all BS by that Houston range. They want to keep the brass and don't want to sort steel from brass. Most people who sort use magnets and is not an issue. The range had changed owners. Do you remember that range on Mason Road that had all the controversial advertising on their marque? It was in the news a lot. The original owner was an alright guy. Then he was forced out or sold out.

No I hadn't. Mine is an association, so basically the members have a voice in how it's run.

Inspector43 · Feb 3, 2019

easy rider said:
No I hadn't. Mine is an association, so basically the members have a voice in how it's run.

Thanks. I have to do most of my shooting out in the back yard. I live too far from any public or private range. But, sometimes I take a notion to drive to a range.

easy rider · Feb 3, 2019

Inspector43 said:
Thanks. I have to do most of my shooting out in the back yard. I live too far from any public or private range. But, sometimes I take a notion to drive to a range.

At this time I can only shoot about 35 yards on the property, so driving to the range is a must to go further.

Shotgun Jeremy · Feb 3, 2019

I've got standard 5.56 for in the house, but I have a few special mags of V-Max with a teacher every 5 rounds for outdoor use if needed.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

Inspector43 · Feb 4, 2019

easy rider said:
At this time I can only shoot about 35 yards on the property, so driving to the range is a must to go further.

That's about all I have. I'm able to fire handguns and work the long guns to keep them limber. Most of my guns are about 75 years old so they need to be exercised regularly.

avvidclif · Feb 4, 2019

Shotgun Jeremy said:
I've got standard 5.56 for in the house, but I have a few special mags of V-Max with a teacher every 5 rounds for outdoor use if needed.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

Is that teacher to show the other rounds where to go??? :rolleyes:

Hoji · Feb 4, 2019

AR? Nope.

So, you have an AR for home defense, SHTF - what ammo?

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