10.5" 5.56 Ammo Recommendations

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  • Amishman44

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    Dec 30, 2009
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    I recently finished building a 10.5" AR 'pistol' for the wife...basic set-up is as follows:
    Anderson upper + lower + bolt + charging handle.
    10.5" barrel in .223 Wylde...purchased very slightly 'used'...is also very accurate.
    KAK Shockwave Arm Brace
    Simple Mil-spec trigger and upper + lower parts kit...at least to start with.
    UTG 9.5" Handguard and Magpul Foregrip.
    Daniel Defense fixed-sights with Meprolight Tritium front post!

    My question is...what ammo recommendations does anyone have that best utilizes a 10.5" barrel that retains sufficient accuracy and moderate velocity (disbursable kinetic energy) at distances up to 75-100 yards?

    I've read through this AR Forum write-up...and it's fairly informative... Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo

    Any other experience or recommendations one may want to add would be welcome!
     

    avboiler11

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    Jun 12, 2011
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    New Albany
    What is your objective? Plinking, poking holes in paper, a defensive load, all the above?

    Mk262 is the standard "go-to" load for stub-nose ARs, as it has a proven combat history of providing good accuracy and terminal effects from SBRs.

    Other good choices for defensive-type loads also include (in no particular order) Mk318, Hornady 5.56 75gr TAP T2, Speer Gold Dot 223 55/64gr, Federal Fusion 223 62gr, Barnes 223 or 5.56 62gr TSX.
     

    Car Ramrod

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    Oct 15, 2009
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    Westfield
    What do you mean by "pistol" and what do you mean by "Magpul foregrip"?

    I'm a couple clicks away from a 10.5" upper, so interested in ammo suggestions as well.
     

    hemicharger

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    Mar 14, 2008
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    I have no issues using M193 in my 10.3" gun. I'm sure a 55gr projectile to the face at a distance of 15' would get the job done. Sure, there is better ammo and I have a few rounds of it but M193 currently $250 per 1k shipped right now so that's what I use
     

    turnerdye1

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    Dec 26, 2010
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    North Central IN
    My department ended up testing a couple different loads and ended up with Federal Premium 223 62gr SP. Its the LE223T3 version. Our SWAT uses 10.5" barrels and it was best at expansion, glass penetration, and sheet metal.
     

    Amishman44

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    48   1   0
    Dec 30, 2009
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    What is your objective? Plinking, poking holes in paper, a defensive load, all the above?

    Mk262 is the standard "go-to" load for stub-nose ARs, as it has a proven combat history of providing good accuracy and terminal effects from SBRs.

    Other good choices for defensive-type loads also include (in no particular order) Mk318, Hornady 5.56 75gr TAP T2, Speer Gold Dot 223 55/64gr, Federal Fusion 223 62gr, Barnes 223 or 5.56 62gr TSX.

    I'm going to pick up some Mk262's and I found some of the Speer Gold Dot's 223's...going to try them!

    Thank you!
     

    Amishman44

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    Dec 30, 2009
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    Woodburn
    What do you mean by "pistol" and what do you mean by "Magpul foregrip"?

    I'm a couple clicks away from a 10.5" upper, so interested in ammo suggestions as well.

    Pistol = under 16" barrel...and Magpul Foregrip, which attaches under the heat guard to improve one's grip angle.

    Make sure the "foregrip" is not a 90° one. A 45° one is ok. The perpendicular grip is a no-no per the ATF on a pistol.

    It's a 45-degree one...I did know the difference on the forward grip angles.

    My wife loves it, BTW...and now a friend of hers wants one too!
     

    throttletony

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    Jul 11, 2011
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    Make sure the "foregrip" is not a 90° one. A 45° one is ok. The perpendicular grip is a no-no per the ATF on a pistol.

    Unless the pistol is over 26" which allows it to tbe a "firearm" and not strictly a pistol. This also allows a vertical foregrip.
    If overall length is under 26", then you need an angled foregrip
     

    Excalibur

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    0   2   0
    May 11, 2012
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    NWI
    Unless the pistol is over 26" which allows it to tbe a "firearm" and not strictly a pistol. This also allows a vertical foregrip.
    If overall length is under 26", then you need an angled foregrip

    Does that length apply if you got a folding buffer? like the LAW Tactical
     
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