Best 5.56 defensive round for expansion and cavity size

[TraumaPlateDuctTape]

There are a lot of youtube gel tests about this, but I found them to be mostly indifferent and inconclusive. What is considered to be the most effective round for putting someone down fast with maximum blood loss? I imagine it's high-velocity and light-grained, with some sort of expanding bullet?

[ShooterM4]

Putting down somebody quickly and with maximum blood loss?

12 gauge slug.

At most home defense distances, a 5.56 round will ice pick a person.

[TexasAggie2005]

12 gauge slug.

Not to be an ass, but OP asked about 5.56 specifically. He didn't ask what caliber/gauge.

At most home defense distances, a 5.56 round will ice pick a person.

FMJ might do that, but not modern ammo designed for LE & self defense.

OP, I'd look into the Hornady TAP lineup, I've heard a lot of good things about it. Also Speer Gold Dot and it's sister bullet the Fusion line.

[Koshinn]

Putting down somebody quickly and with maximum blood loss?

12 gauge slug.

At most home defense distances, a 5.56 round will ice pick a person.

How's that 12 ga slug working for you through a .224 barrel?

[ShooterM4]

"Modern ammo designed for LE and self-defense"

Would you provide some documentation about this ammo?

Here's a YouTube of Speer Gold dot icepicking in ballistic gel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYZ7sYAD_sM

I do not believe a rifle with 5.56 is a good idea for home defense. Again, consider the distances and the high risk of over penetration.

YMMV.


Here's a video on how effective a slug is for HD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftrCtOyLrmU

[Molon]

"Modern ammo designed for LE and self-defense"

Would you provide some documentation about this ammo?

Here's a YouTube of Speer Gold dot icepicking in ballistic gel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYZ7sYAD_sM

I do not believe a rifle with 5.56 is a good idea for home defense. Again, consider the distances and the high risk of over penetration.

You seriously have no clue what you are talking about and should spend some time educating yourself on the subject matter before posting anymore of your drivel in this technical forum.

[Inkslinger]

"Modern ammo designed for LE and self-defense"

Would you provide some documentation about this ammo?

Here's a YouTube of Speer Gold dot icepicking in ballistic gel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYZ7sYAD_sM

I do not believe a rifle with 5.56 is a good idea for home defense. Again, consider the distances and the high risk of over penetration.

Did you even watch the video? I didn't know a ice pick could create a wound cavity like that. The abilities of defensive .223/5.56 have been well documented.

[ShooterM4]

The video demonstrates that the round blows through an average human torso. The wound channel is not really all that impressive.

Did you watch the results of a slug? Or 00 Buck?

I'm sorry, I do not mean to be argumentative, but I'm concerned people are using 5.56 as a "home defense" round in the confines of a typical American suburban home where distances to the bad guy are generally no more than 20 feet, if even that far.

As always, YMMV.

[TraumaPlateDuctTape]

The video demonstrates that the round blows through an average human torso. The wound channel is not really all that impressive.

Did you watch the results of a slug? Or 00 Buck?

I'm sorry, I do not mean to be argumentative, but I'm concerned people are using 5.56 as a "home defense" round in the confines of a typical American suburban home where distances to the bad guy are generally no more than 20 feet, if even that far.

As always, YMMV.

I don't mean to come across as a smartass, but I have a hard time believing that 12G is superior to 5.56 for 20-foot engagements when practically every modern military reserves the shotgun strictly for door breaching and uses a rifle for room-clearing. The 5.56 appeals to me more because of faster follow-up shots, a lighter platform and more cost-effective training, not to mention a much more versatile weapon. I don't know how accurate I'm going to be with a shotgun at 3 in the morning right after I've been awakened during REM sleep and adrenaline is rushing. I'd like a quick and low-recoil follow-up shot as opposed to a large-bore gamble.

[ShooterM4]

I prefer puncturing a bad guy with at least 9 .33 cal rounds, all at once.

To each his own though. YMMV.