if any of you use that platform for home defense, what ammo and load do you use? My carbine is 5.56 or .223, but I would think the .223 would be better (to prevent over penetration). I googled it but the info was all over the place.

I've loaded 45gr HP for now. I'm anxious to here what others are using, though.

68 grain Nosler OTM

TAP or one of the light polymer tipped varmint loads.

Winchester pdx1

It's really sad that zombie marketing is actually effective. People are dumb.

that being said, I am not familiar with this round but I have no problems with Hornady, Bad, living guy rounds.

A good hunting round, psp or ballistic tip is fine

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It's really sad that zombie marketing is actually effective. People are dumb.

that being said, I am not familiar with this round but I have no problems with Hornady, Bad, living guy rounds.

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Pretty sure it's just zombie green v-max. And was weak attempt at humor. But.... If zombie green bullets make getting into shooting sports sexier for a new/possibly timid demographic then I'm all for it. While I was still teaching I had three different co-workers approach me about getting some range time so they could get more familiar with their "Zombie guns". All three said they had an interest in shooting sports but never had something that motivated them enough to jump/gave them something to reason with their non gun friends on why. As goofy as it sounds, zombies gave them both.

More shooters is a good thing which is why i have no issue with whatever silly marketing they concoct next. For most folks this will remain a hobby, be it shooting sports, hunting occasionally, or plinking.

And if all goes well none of us will ever be pressed into using these defensively against zombies, or other two-legged threats.

Not directed towards you at all. I know you were joking.

You bring up a good point about bringing people into the sport that I hadn't thought of. The more people who are interested in shooting and firearms, that can legally obtain them, I suppose the better. More people to support the 2nd Amendment.

I think you're right about the rounds too.

I personally think a shotgun with 00 buckshot would be your best choice for home defense. I don't really understand why you would want to use a high powered rifle for this. Just my 2 cents. Really I hope I never have to use anything.

bookmyer, there are valid reasons to use both, and either one is much more effective than a handgun. However, good .223/5.56 HD loads overpenetrate or penetrate through interior walls less than shotgun or pistol rounds.

I have 30 rounds in my carbine and I'm very familiar with the operation of the gun, plus I have family in the house and worst case scenario, might have to take a hostage shot. I can dig up some links from reputable sources for you if you're actually interested.

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I personally think a shotgun with 00 buckshot would be your best choice for home defense. I don't really understand why you would want to use a high powered rifle for this. Just my 2 cents. Really I hope I never have to use anything.

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Less risk of over penetration.
extremely accurate
one projectile instead of 8 if it does over penetrate.
30 rounds instead of maybe 6
no risk of short stroking a pump shotgun
I feel better about the reliability of an AR than an autoloader shotgun. (may be unfounded)
lighter and easier to maneuver.

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bookmyer, there are valid reasons to use both, and either one is much more effective than a handgun. However, good .223/5.56 HD loads overpenetrate or penetrate through interior walls less than shotgun or pistol rounds.

I have 30 rounds in my carbine and I'm very familiar with the operation of the gun, plus I have family in the house and worst case scenario, might have to take a hostage shot. I can dig up some links from reputable sources for you if you're actually interested.

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I struggle with this too...

Subsonic 220 gr .300BO?
Varmint 45gr HP .223?
12ga #4Buck?

77gr Razor core or similar.

I'm just asking for the sake of having to use the rifle "just in case". Don't worry, I have shotguns, pistols from .22 up to .357mag and .40. Whoever breaks into my house to do me harm will leave a "holey" man!

77gr SMK

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bookmyer, there are valid reasons to use both, and either one is much more effective than a handgun. However, good .223/5.56 HD loads overpenetrate or penetrate through interior walls less than shotgun or pistol rounds.

I have 30 rounds in my carbine and I'm very familiar with the operation of the gun, plus I have family in the house and worst case scenario, might have to take a hostage shot. I can dig up some links from reputable sources for you if you're actually interested.

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I struggle with this too...

Subsonic 220 gr .300BO?
Varmint 45gr HP .223?
12ga #4Buck?

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Subsonic, you might as well be shooting them with a handgun or pistol caliber carbine, as you aren't getting the terminal effects of rifle velocity (2000 FPS or better) with respect to wound cavity. Varmint rounds won't penetrate enough, those are no-go as well.

Here's one test from a couple of years ago - I was surprised to see 55 and 60 gr TAP didn't adequately penetrate, I need to research of the more standard 75 gr BTHP TAP round did better.
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/wound-ballistics-workshop-gelatin-tests-on-some-new-bullets

Edit #2 - link to list of test results Dr. Gary Roberts' recommendations (he's pretty much considered the gold standard authority on this)
http://preparedgunowners.com/2016/01/12/the-approved-list-of-5-56-nato-223-rem-self-defenseduty-ammo/

#1 or #4 buck has been tested to be extremely effective.

If barrier penetration is NOT an important factor AND your rifle can stabilize them (minimum 1:9 twist rate):

Hornady 75gr OTM loads
Nosler 77gr OTM loads
Sierra 77gr SMK loads
If barrier penetration is NOT an important factor AND your rifle can't stabilize the heavy 70+ grain bullets:

Sierra 69gr SMK loads
Hornady 68gr OTM loads
Winchester 64gr JSP (RA223R2)
Federal 64gr TRU (223L)
Hornady 60gr JSP
If your rifle is 1:12 or slower twist rate or can only shoot lighter-weight bullets:
55gr Federal bonded JSP load (LE223T1 or P223T2)
Barnes 55gr TSX/TAC-X
50gr TSX loaded by Black Hills*
If barrier penetration IS an important factor:
62gr Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (TBBC) bonded JSP (XM556FBIT3)*
64gr Winchester solid base bonded JSP (Q3313/RA556B)*
50gr TSX loaded by Black Hills*
Speer 55 & 64gr Gold Dot JSP (5.56)*
Federal 62gr Mk318 Mod0 (T556TNB1)*
62gr Federal bonded JSP Tactical (LE223T3)
55gr Federal bonded JSP load (TacticalLE223T1 or identical Premium RifleP223T2)
Swift 75gr Scirocco (usually requires 1:7 twist)
60gr Nosler Partition JSP
Remington 62gr bonded JSP
Federal 55gr TSX (T223S)
Speer 55 & 64gr Gold Dot JSP (.223)
Federal 62gr Fusion JSP (Same construction as the Gold Dot)

I don't mind pistol round ballistics. I just want SBR ergos.

12ga

????

What velocities do you need for those rounds for effective expansion, tumble, fragmentation and not overpenetration?

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I personally think a shotgun with 00 buckshot would be your best choice for home defense. I don't really understand why you would want to use a high powered rifle for this. Just my 2 cents. Really I hope I never have to use anything.

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Same here except #4 buckshot

Would prefer #1 buckshot

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What velocities do you need for those rounds for effective expansion, tumble, fragmentation and not overpenetration?

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That's going to differ by round, and depends on the engineering of the particular projectile each one uses.