I haven't been able to find anything on the gelatin testing or fragmentation of the American Eagle 55gr. Is this round a viable defensive option? I couldn't find anything on B&T Ammo labs or the AmmoOracle. Anyone know of any links to an evaluation of this ammo for defensive purposes? Thanks for your help in advance.

le.atk.com/223data/223rifle.asp?pgtocall=2

Viable?  Yes.  Better options out there?  Sure.

It is slightly underpowdered, but my chrony showed averaging 3150-3230 out of a 20" barrel, and 3020-3070 out of a 16"

The bullet does fragment - as demonstrated by the link above - so assuming a fragmentation range of M193 (2700FPS) this round would just have a shorter effective distance when compared to M193.

Close quarters?  Probably as good as any M193 55grFMJ, with just slightly less velocity.

I recall someone here sectioning one and finding that the AE stuff had a much thicker jacket than M193, which should reduce fragmentation potential.

Quoted: I recall someone here sectioning one and finding that the AE stuff had a much thicker jacket than M193, which should reduce fragmentation potential.

Are you going to make me go out in the garage with the dremel again?  

you could use worse! I bet the bullet is just fine? KISS

The topic came up because AE223 is around $206 per 1000 and q3131 is up around $240. I noticed that the AE 223 has a much higher approval rating on the review thread than the new Wolf m193 which is around the same price. Thought that I might start using the AE 223 as my practice rounds and last resort defensive ammo. I still have several mags of 75gr TAP and several hundred rounds 75 gr. Black Hills. I then fall back to several thousand rounds of XM193, IMI-M193, and Q3131A. This would be my primary practice ammo but used for self defense when I ran out of everything else. Based on the thread FARALAK posted, it looks like it has a pretty long neck before it fragments, but it does fragment. So, it might be a reasonable chioce. Thanks

Quoted: Thought that I might start using the AE 223 as my practice rounds and last resort defensive ammo.

Outstanding plan.

Sounds like it would be quite a last resort in your case. I think it would make good practice ammo since the walmart stuff it to high now.
JRandyH

75gr pretty nice!  Sounds good to me

I cant afford hornady but I did spend some cash on the 75 and 77 Blue box

So it's a viable defensive round?
Better than using wolf for practice I suppose - at least you can use AE for defense in a pinch.

Quoted: The topic came up because AE223 is around $206 per 1000 and q3131 is up around $240. I noticed that the AE 223 has a much higher approval rating on the review thread than the new Wolf m193 which is around the same price. Thought that I might start using the AE 223 as my practice rounds and last resort defensive ammo. I still have several mags of 75gr TAP and several hundred rounds 75 gr. Black Hills. I then fall back to several thousand rounds of XM193, IMI-M193, and Q3131A. This would be my primary practice ammo but used for self defense when I ran out of everything else. Based on the thread FARALAK posted, it looks like it has a pretty long neck before it fragments, but it does fragment. So, it might be a reasonable chioce. Thanks

I am doing the same as you.  AE for range ammo and the same ammo as you for SHIF.  Good plan.  

Plus I found AE 55fmj to be more accurate than Q3131 etc

In my AR15`s

If you look at the gelatin results in the PDF file on Federal's website, AE223 55 grain FMJ is not dramatically different from the much more expensive "tactical" loads.  It does exhibit a longer "neck" in the wound profile before the fragmentation starts, but not all that much.  In some situations that may even be beneficial.

In my stash of defensive 5.56, my primary load is XM-193, but I have AE223 for practice and backup SHTF stock.

Excellent choice.  Use it and Wolf for training and leave two mags loaded with TAP and two with AE223 in the house for social events.