Best "Zombie" ammo for 5.56

[kwh]

Trying to see the rationale for an 5.56 AR got me to thinking. I have my .223 single shot Handi Rifle, 24 inch barrel and hand load with a bullet of my choice, ex. ground squirrels or coyotes. No questions there.
My concern is a "Zombie" invasion. For this I would need an AR.
The 5.56 AR has a short 16" barrel and designed for humane Military Geneva convention ammo. I assume this is not the best ammo for self defense. Metal piercing is of no concern. I have heard the military depends on yaw and fragmentation.
What is the homeowner's bullet of choice? Commercial, not hand loaded.

[ripley16]

IMHO, any ammo used against a zombie will be successful. Provided you ever find one.

This is good ammo for various other uses..
http://www.black-hills.com/shop/new-rifle-ammo/5-56mm/

[GROTMAN]

Can't tell you what kind of ammo to get for zombies but found the zombie treadmill defense system works pretty well. So far no zombies have made it into my house. Now if only can find a good inlaw defense system as well, would have it made..:rolleyes:
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGwAr8HtC4wib2jWeo1BjywyVz7W4xT hNyiH_m37w8sU1qbhXL (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjfn_7rucHMAhVH4SYKHWDGBWEQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2F303697 52%40N06%2F6281136874&psig=AFQjCNGK77p1GScJXb32p8x0sLbVloJzeQ&ust=1462486750912614)

[OldFatGuy]

The "domestic terrorists" have been using AR's and commercial ammo for years with great success. What do you mean it's not good enough for home defense?

EDIT: In fact, I bet many are shooting .223 out of a 5.56 chamber, doesn't seem to change the outcome.

[kwh]

^Thanks. Did not think about using .223 in 5.56 chamber. Did not want to just poke a tiny .22 hole straight through tissue using the wrong ammo. As of now I am using my Marlin 1984 .357 Mag carbine ,limited capacity ,but only have to shoot them once. Or ,7 rounds from my carbine would equal 14 rounds from double tapping with a 9mm pistol.

[kwh]

Thanks . I believe this answers the ammo question.
IMHO, any ammo used against a zombie will be successful. Provided you ever find one.

This is good ammo for various other uses..
http://www.black-hills.com/shop/new-rifle-ammo/5-56mm/

[OldFatGuy]

If the 5.56 NATO round didn't work, I doubt the US military would have used it for decades on the battlefield.

[CJB]

If the zombies were attacking the best ammo would be the ammo I got WITH ME RIGHT THEN!

[kwh]

If the 5.56 NATO round didn't work, I doubt the US military would have used it for decades on the battlefield. Agreed, but this was my reasoning. .30/06 and .308 Military bullets are not used for hunting. 45 A.C.P. 230 gr. FMJ Military works, but most of us carry some type of expanding bullet. I believe everyone would choose an expanding 9mm for personal defense. Thus I did not know if any military 5.56 is the best, or is there a better bullet choice made for personal civilian self protection.

[OldFatGuy]

I don't think of an AR as a "self defense" weapon, it's not something you carry to defend yourself against thugs. It's a "reach out and touch someone" weapon. As for a zombie attack, you gotta get them when they're at some distance because there will be so many some will get through, then use your 9mm hollow point. I got my AR chambered in 5.56 for two reasons. One, to piss off hillary, and two, if the **** hits the fan, the 5.56 AR type weapon has proven effective in the battlefield. I knew nothing about them when I bought mine, and I was actually surprised at how small the bullet is. I didn't put 2 and 2 together, .223/5.56 are the same for the most part, so I thought it's just a glorified .22. But that .22 caliber bullet has a YUGE amount of energy behind it. Besides, it's cool. It's been in the safe for weeks, haven't even taken it out to play with. But I have various sights for it, it's zero'd at 25 yards, got 1000 rounds of ammo, I can hold out for a little while before the zombies over run me and eat my brains.

[kwh]

^ Thanks for the follow-up. 2 Two good reasons to have an AR, three counting the cool factor. That will help me rationalize why I "need" an AR.

[OldFatGuy]

I got a little side tracked there, sorry. As for the BEST 5.56 ammo? I'd like to get some 70gr, but at a buck each, I probably won't. I have 55gr and 62gr steel core, good enough for me. I would hate to get hit with any of it.

EDIT: Or you could go with the AK. I'd like to have one, but I doubt I will, no money.

[kwh]

Thanks for the previous help. This website may be of help. http://preparedgunowners.com/2016/01/12/the-approved-list-of-5-56-nato-223-rem-self-defenseduty-ammo/

[ZardozCZ]

Bullet weight/style will also depend on barrel twist if you're looking for accuracy at range. In close spray and pray is anything goes.

[Ronni3_J]

I have mine loaded with Vmax currently but going to pick up some HPBT from Freedom Munitions. Pretty much same as the Hornady GMXs