Posted on 11/02/2001 7:08:49 PM PST by Don Myers
I hear those trade hands quite a lot. :-]
Well, since this thread seems to be covering all aspects of 5.56x45, here goes:
I finished reading Blackhawk Down the first week of September. It seems to me that one of the major complaints that the soldiers had in Mog was that it took several to many shots (with what I assume to be SS109) to drop each skinny. Overpenetration and a lack of fragmentation seemed to be a real problem.
So, my question is: At under 200 meters would a superior projectile choice be a 55gr soft tip or hollow tip bullet against "soft" targets? Given that we civvies are restricted to hardball only I thought that this might be a good question.
So I would say yes, go with the 55grain stuff, it tumbles, and causes worse wounds.
BTW, the Russians are way ahead of us in military bullet (slug, not cartridge) technology. Their 5.45mm bullets use a hollow space just behind the tip, then a steel penetrator, then a lead "driver". The slug is balanced for accuracy in flight, and as soon as they hit flesh, the driver and penetrator push forward into the air space, causing the center of gravity to flip, and the bullet to keyhole like mad, always coming out backwards or sideways. The Afghans and Chechens really fear them, and call them "poison bullets".
Another "field expedient" for your .223 ball ammo is to take strong wire cutters (dykes) and clip off the front 1/8" of your bullets. This is hell on long range accuracy, but ensures the slugs will be keyholing and tumbling into their targets. I have not done this, but some old VN jungle fighters (close range engagements) told me about it.
Fortunately my rifle is good for both so I can get what I want when the price is right.
Travis you may know if this is bum info or not, what do you think?
My neighbor had another reaction. "Damn Ernie. That's bad ass". I said "Yes it is."
I do avoid the "bag-o-bullets" reloads at the gunshow though.
Arrrgh. I thought something was wrong with my gun when it started jamming on every third shell. Went back to Federal ammo and never had a problem.
So repeat after me:
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags.
I do not buy or shoot bullets that come in bags...
www.sportsmansguide.com has very nice 1980s vintage 5.56 in heavy waterproof plastic 300 round "battle packs" for 12 cents per.
Up here, the mini-14 is the standard for on the snowmachine. People sometimes catch wolves on rivers, but runnin them down is harder than you'd think.
Price is the choice factor. I have used both my stainless folding stock 14 and several ar's. You couldn't give me 4 minis for one ar.
FAL sounds expensive to me. Maybe I'LL write a book called "Home Defense on the Cheap."
Anyway the big gun show is next weekend, so I guess I'll just have to see whats out there. Even a bolt action might be an inexpensive way to step up to .308.
Stay safe...
Hey Dawg, long time no see! I love my stainless Mini-14 too, especially after picking up a 30 round clip at the Houston gun show. It kept the homestead safe during Y2K...hehe.
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