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Page AR-15 » Ammunition
AR Sponsor: bravocompany
Posted: 7/11/2017 2:43:54 AM EDT
hi guys. can you give me some opinions on a good home defense round that won't break the bank? i don't believe i need the most expensive round out there, just something that will reliably put down a home intruder with a well placed center mass hit.

thanks in advance.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 2:45:21 AM EDT
[#1]
black hills soft points, or speer gold dot soft points. PSA always has sales on the gold dots
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 3:10:29 AM EDT
[#2]
I use Hornady soft points.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 3:15:01 AM EDT
[#3]
Sell the AR and buy a shotgun buddy. Just rack it and the bad guy will go away. Make sure to practice the racking sound at least twice per week.


I've heard other people didn't have issues with PSA but if you do be prepared for 90min waiting time on the phone, not answering repeated emails, and them not following up with you.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 3:46:57 AM EDT
[#4]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Sell the AR and buy a shotgun buddy. Just rack it and the bad guy will go away. Make sure to practice the racking sound at least twice per week.


I've heard other people didn't have issues with PSA but if you do be prepared for 90min waiting time on the phone, not answering repeated emails, and them not following up with you.
View Quote


While PSA can take a while to ship, it's a well known fact about them along with notices being plastered all over their site.

In the dozens of orders I've conducted with them, I have yet to have had the need to call or email.  Wait patiently and your shit will get to you.

With that said, OP, PSAs deals for Speer Gold Dot are pretty good and it's a very good round for defensive purposes.  Hornady TAP (Barrier or T2) and Fusion MSR are some other good choices.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 4:05:07 AM EDT
[#5]
awesome! thanks!
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 7:02:24 AM EDT
[#6]
My experience with PSA the last few years has been GTG!  Before that it was just slow shipping, never had to call or email them.

55 and 62 grain Speer Gold Dots are run on sale pretty regularly over at PSA, $9.99 a box with free shipping on 10 or more boxes.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 7:46:53 AM EDT
[#7]
Any reliable soft point ammo.

PSA is ok unless the package gets lost.

Im still waiting on a May purchase.

Speer dot gold 64g is $9.99 a box.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 7:53:05 AM EDT
[#8]
Are you even allowed to shoot somebody in a home defense situation in California?  OP might need to get a rape whistle instead. :D

But on a serious note, target sport usa has gold dot for the same price as palmetto state but they don't take 6 weeks to arrive.
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/speer-gold-dot-le-duty-223-rem-ammo-55-grain-sp-24446-p-59031.aspx#59031_62394

https://www.wikiarms.com/search?q=gold+dot&caliber=2

You can also check with local stores to see if they'll price match.  My local Cabela's will price match Palmetto State so I can get things without the long wait.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 10:09:07 AM EDT
[#9]
Another vote for Speer gold dot 64g. PSA has it in sale right now for $9.99 and free shipping on 10+ boxes. I just ordered some.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 11:36:01 AM EDT
[#10]
choicesforgoodselfdefensaammoin.223/5.56



I think Black Hills blue is the most reasonably priced 75/77 grain loads.  But I don't think they are crimped and have primer sealant.  So you have to decide if you feel that's necessary for home defense.  And actually, I don't know which loads ARE crimped.  I  THINK Mk262 is crimped if you can find it.  But it's not usually cheap.....  I don't think the sealant is a necessary for HD.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 11:39:45 AM EDT
[#11]
I did some research and bought  the Speer LE  Gold Dot 64gr and 55gr  both came in strong , along with Winchester PDX1 60 gr split core hollow point.  Granted my research was over the typical WWW searches , but those two brands always had a strong showing
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 11:45:29 AM EDT
[#12]
ammo forum tacked thread
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 1:40:54 PM EDT
[#13]
Topic Moved
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 2:23:33 PM EDT
[#14]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Any reliable soft point ammo.

PSA is ok unless the package gets lost.

Im still waiting on a May purchase.

Speer dot gold 64g is $9.99 a box.
View Quote
Just picked up another 600 today.

Love them.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 2:36:31 PM EDT
[#15]
Just about any of them at HD distance will do the trick.
I'll throw in another nod for GD and PSA. The GD is a great varmint round be it 2 or 4 legs and will suffice for "close" work up to large White tail size game. Not the first choice but if in a pinch, it'll work.
Winchester SP in 62 or 64 grain, Fusion, Winchester PDX and a few others are top of the heap as well.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 4:01:10 PM EDT
[#16]
Yeah, it's hard to beat the gold dots for an affordable HD round.
Link Posted: 7/11/2017 10:08:22 PM EDT
[#17]
I run 62grn Brown Bear SP.  Low cost enough to stack deep and runs very reliably in all my ARs.  Still seeing how my AUG likes it but all of my ARs eat it like candy.

Another good option is some good ol'fashioned M193 :)
Link Posted: 7/12/2017 10:33:39 AM EDT
[#18]
Link Posted: 7/12/2017 11:10:22 AM EDT
[#19]
I think Chopping Block got 11ish inches out of Silver Bear which is basically the same thing with a different case coating material.  A little low on penetration but looked like it had good expansion/frag.

.223 gel test: Silver Bear 62 gr soft point
Link Posted: 7/12/2017 11:58:17 PM EDT
[#20]
Since you are in California you can't have SBR.  Any M193 will do the job at home defense distances.  The frag threshold is around 2700 fps and you only want center mass shots.  I would trust that round.
Link Posted: 7/13/2017 3:36:18 PM EDT
[#21]
Get the Gold Dot's and test some out. I clean the lead flakes from around the tip of the bullet. Not necessary, but why not. Fill a few magazines and you are good
to go. I have found the Gold Dot's to be very accurate.  Most of mine are 64 grain, and I have a few boxes of 75 grain.
A good reasonably cheap alternative is the CBC M193 ammo. It is pretty ferocious when blowing up gallon jugs of water.
Great velocity and accuracy and is actual M193.  Decent price, low enough to practice with and not feel guilty about spending too much per session.
Get the CBC while it is still available. Gold Dot is most always around.
Link Posted: 7/13/2017 5:13:29 PM EDT
[#22]
I still use Hornady 75gr T2 556.

And do not break cover by racking a shotgun thinking the sound will scare anyone away.
Link Posted: 7/13/2017 5:21:25 PM EDT
[#24]
I like Hornady 75gr TAP and 75gr Black.

The 77TMK loadings are another good option.

75gr Privi is another good budget option.

If you want a bonded soft point, the Gold Dot's are good.

If you want awesome soft target performance and some AP capability, look for some M855A1 - but it's really spendy.
Link Posted: 8/30/2017 2:29:31 AM EDT
[#25]
thanks for all the great info and suggestions. I think i'll go with some gold dots. and yes, we CAN fill a home invader full of lead here in kommifornia. LOL that one made me laugh!
Link Posted: 8/30/2017 9:22:44 AM EDT
[#26]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
thanks for all the great info and suggestions. I think i'll go with some gold dots. and yes, we CAN fill a home invader full of lead here in kommifornia. LOL that one made me laugh!
View Quote
The 64gr Gold Dot's are on sale at PSA.  Free shipping if you buy 10 boxes.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/speer-223-remington-64gr-gold-dot-ammunition-20rds-24448.html
Link Posted: 8/30/2017 9:55:23 PM EDT
[#27]
I bought 10 to try out....I've never been a big believer in these types of loads. Everything I have is XM855 or XM193.   I still may not use them as they are $ compared to what I already have that is free. I can put 10 rounds into the BG just as easily.
Page AR-15 » Ammunition
AR Sponsor: bravocompany
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