Home Defense: .223 Caliber Ammunition

For a long time shotguns and handguns were the traditional home defense weapon, although ranchers and farmers often had a loaded rifle handy in case predators were attacking chicken coops or spooking the horses and cattle.

Hunting rifles in large calibers, like the 30-06, is not good for home defense because the rounds can go through walls. The same applies to 7.62mm FMJ rounds like those used in an AK carbine.

Tests have shown that the proper .223 ammo does not have any more penetrating power than pistol ammunition when hitting residential building material. Thus, SWAT officers use MP5 submachineguns or the M16/AR15 rifle/carbine. The Federal .223 hollowpoint 55-grain round drops most people with one shot, rarely passing through the body.

The kick of the .223 caliber rifles is nothing compared to a 12 Gauge shotgun, which makes it more manageable (and lighter) than a shotgun. The AR15 rifle/carbine has become popular with women shooters, thus it has been recommended for those who want an all-round defense weapon. Of course, a pistol is smaller and can be stored in a bedside table in a drawer. Like motor vehicles, types and size of firearms is always a personal preference.

Controversy Continues Over Green-Tip Ammunition - Too Late, Already Banned

As you probably know, the Obama administration, specifically the ATF, is considering a ban on ammunition painted with a green tip. It specifically applies to the AR-15 rifle. Their reasoning is that the ATF considers it “armor piercing”, which was banned in the 1980s.

Before the consideration, green-tipped ammunition was popular because it was cheap. Now 100 rounds cost $90.

ATF has announced it is accepting public comment about the proposed change until March 16^th. You can send your commentary to APAComments@atf.gov, or send comments by fax or postal mail.

Alert: NRA-ILA Reports on a Proposed BATF Regulation on Ammunition

It is a never-ending complexity of what the Obama administration will do next when it comes to anything that is constitutional, and if I did not pick this up from the NRA-ILA, NRA Institute for Legislative Action, I could not, would not believe it. However, knowing the relentless of the progressive socialist, those that insist that government control everything and other citizens be hindered from liberties because of their own personal vendetta or agenda, it was bound to happen with this out-of-control executive branch headed by the worst President of the United States in its history.

New Year 2015: Ammunition Shortage Continues

NSSF has recently begun to track ammunition production because of the continued shortage of ammunition, especially .22 caliber. Prices have risen because of the commodity price for copper and other metals used in ammunition.

The major reason is that ammunition manufacturers have not been able to keep up with demand, thus shelves have emptied out and orders for bulk ammunition has been put on backorder.

Since the Fast-N-Furious scandal, there are those that believe that the government is part of the problem because of the increased government purchase of ammunition has also put a load upon manufacturer production. This consensus sparked a congressional hearing in the spring of 2013 because it was found that Homeland Security was using more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition more per person than the US Army. DHS bought more than 103 million rounds in 2012 and used 116 million in the same year for 70,000 employees.

Calibers, Shotgun Shells, and Artillery Ammunition

Guns and Ammo

Since the advent of the cartridge ammunition its measurement and description of size of the ammunition has been caliber (calibre), sometimes confusing to the new shooter.

The caliber is the internal diameter of the barrel as well as the diameter of the projectile, called the bullet. Calibers of firearms are also referred to in millimeters, originating in Europe – now used by US military to keep standard ammunition amongst the NATO armed forces.

Weapons of Choice: Caliber Myths and Safe Defense Information

There is a lot of talk about calibers and ballistics and much has to do with personal preference and myth. Smart preppers choose calibers that will give them a reasonable amount of range and dual purpose: hunting and defense. Some rely upon Hollywood action films who have been partly to blame for much of the myths that is circulating. Still others make their choice, especially in pistol calibers, “stopping power”. 

Weapons of Choice: Weatherby

Weatherby is a name of trust and quality. It all began in the middle of the 1940s when Roy Weatherby decided to change the world of firearm performance. The tradition was heavy bullets were better and Roy believed that lightweight bullets traveling at super speeds were best for one-shot kills.

In the 1950s, Roy used that philosophy and developed high-powered Weatherby Magnum cartridges that are still used today: .224, .240, .257, .270, 7mm, .300, .30-378, .340, .338-378, .375, .378, .416, and .460. He either re-chambered or produced rifles designed to use the super-charged ammunition. During that time he produced his rifles on FN Mauser and French Brevex Magnum Mauser actions. In 1957, Roy produced the Mark V, a well-known rifle of extraordinary workmanship.

Myth Blaster: Door Penetration of Certain Ammo

So much bickering about what is best for "home defense" when it comes to ammunition, as well as types of firearms. One person insisted that having a .40 caliber pistol was better than a 9mm or .38 caliber because it could penetrate his steel-clad front door. During the argument I pointed out the danger of shooting through a door when one does not know what is going on the other side and reminded him that there could be return fire.

EPA Enforcement: Raising Consumer Cost Again

The EPA, arm of big government, has pushed their authority into the private sector again. This time it is the use of lead in bullets and shotshells. To be fair, the EPA petition is also targeting lead fishing sinkers in which they say has killed wildlife.

Problem is they are replacing the lead bullets and shot with copper, which is an expensive metal, just check the going price with local metal recycle center or examine how high electrical wiring has gone up. It is a push for "Green" ammo.

Remington .223 Ammunition Safety Warning

Safety warning issued in 2011 still applies:

Product Safety Recall Notice
Warning

REMINGTON .223 62 GR (MATCH) HOLLOW POINT AMMUNITION WITH
LOT NOS. H03RAI, H04RDI, H16NAI OR H17NDI

Remington has determined that four (4) Lot Numbers of its .223 Remington 62 Gr Hollow Point (Match) Ammunition may have been improperly loaded. The four (4) Lot Numbers are identified above. Improper loading may cause a malfunction of the cartridge when the firearm is fired resulting in higher than normal pressures. This malfunction may result in damage to the firearm, serious personal injury or death.

Do Not Use
REMINGTON .223 62 GR (MATCH) HOLLOW POINT AMMUNITION WITH
LOT NOS. H03RAI, H04RDI, H16NAI OR H17NDI

To identify if you have one of these Lots of ammunition:

* If you have a case of .223 Remington 62 Gr Hollow Point (Match) Ammunition the Lot Number is stenciled on the outside of the case; and,
* If you have a box of .223 Remington 62 Gr Hollow Point (Match) Ammunition the Lot Number is stamped on the inside flap of the box.

If you have any of this .223 Remington 62 Gr Hollow Point (Match) Ammunition, as identified above, immediately discontinue use of this ammunition and contact Remington at the below telephone number. Remington will arrange for the return shipment of your ammunition and upon receipt will send you replacement ammunition at no cost to you. If you are unsure whether or not you have one or more of these Lots of ammunition or if you have mixed boxes of ammunition; please immediately discontinue the use of the ammunition and contact Remington at the below telephone number – we will replace this ammunition for you.

For any consumer questions or instructions on how to return of your .223 Remington 62 Gr Hollow Point (Match) Ammunition with one of the following Lot Numbers H03RAI, H04RDI, H16NAI OR H17NDI, please contact the Remington Consumer Service Department at 1-800-243-9700, Prompt #4.

The only Remington .223 Remington 62 Gr Hollow Point (Match) Ammunition affected by this recall has one of the following Lot Numbers H03RAI, H04RDI, H16NAI OR H17NDI . No other Lots or ammunition is affected.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Safety First Always observe the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety and wear approved eye and ear protection anytime you are shooting.