Doc, quick question on use of specific ammo for SD/HD...

[BountyXP]

A friend recently sold his Mini-14 (used on his ranch for depredation and GP firearm when in the field) and found he had some leftover .223 ammunition so I got an early b-day gift...

The ammunition in question is typical varmint ammo: Hornady .223 55gr V-Max. My question is should I just burn through this stuff along with my other .223 55gr training ammunition or is there any benefit whatsoever to utilizing it as HD ammunition? I'm fully aware it is not designed for that purpose but are there any known detriments I should be aware of? I attempted some searches on it here and at TOS and didn't really come up with anything which typically = bad sign.

Figured I'd ask directly to get the right answer...

[vicious_cb]

Pretty much all the .223 V-max loads offer insufficient penetration and as such not recommended for an HD load.

[ST911]

The ammunition in question is typical varmint ammo: Hornady .223 55gr V-Max. My question is should I just burn through this stuff along with my other .223 55gr training ammunition or is there any benefit whatsoever to utilizing it as HD ammunition? I'm fully aware it is not designed for that purpose but are there any known detriments I should be aware of? I attempted some searches on it here and at TOS and didn't really come up with anything which typically = bad sign.

Figured I'd ask directly to get the right answer...

That ammo is a terrific varmint load, with shallow penetration and rapid fragmentation. Accuracy is excellent. It is suboptimal, at best, for SD/HD use. It's most functional on smaller, unshielded targets. You could do worse, but you could do much better.

[BountyXP]

Thanks for the information gentlemen....into the .223 training ammo can they go.

[MegademiC]

I dont know much about it, but if its high quality, you may want to reserve it for precision shooting. MY thought is why waste match or near match ammo like its wolf? just a thought. Or use it for coyotes/varmint if you hunt at all. I've heard of people using it for yotes cause it ussually doesnt exit, leaving the pelt in good condition.

[Clint]

This TAP is very similar.

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/mo...0&sID=73&pID=2

Less than 9" penetration, not an optimal choice for general purpose SD.

[Grizzly16]

Just make sure you shoot them in the nose or eye socket and you are good to go

[BountyXP]

This TAP is very similar.

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/mo...0&sID=73&pID=2

Less than 9" penetration, not an optimal choice for general purpose SD.

Which I would assume begs the question what is the difference between the 55gr TAP and the 55gr V-Max other than marketing? Is it that the TAP line of ballistic tip ammo is a solution to a perceived problem of overpenetration and thus not effective for true SD/HD use? Does the ballistic tip provide some measure of barrier blindness to the round? Interesting to see the outcomes of that discussion...

[MegademiC]

Which I would assume begs the question what is the difference between the 55gr TAP and the 55gr V-Max other than marketing? Is it that the TAP line of ballistic tip ammo is a solution to a perceived problem of overpenetration and thus not effective for true SD/HD use? Does the ballistic tip provide some measure of barrier blindness to the round? Interesting to see the outcomes of that discussion...

Everything I see shows ballistic tip to be barrier vulnerable, not barrier blind. The tip acts as a wedge and frags the bullet very quickly.

IDK about tap vs regular v-max, other than the nickle coating.

[tpd223]

Although Mini 14s do not tend to be very accurate, that Hornady ammo is very accurate from the right gun.

I'd save it back for varmint control and other more precision duties, if applicable to your situation.

If I lived in an apartment and used a carbine for HD that would likely be my ammo of choice, knowing the issues involved.
We used to carry the 60gr TAP for entries on my team because it broke up in barriers.