Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles AR-15 For Repelling Boarders, Red Dot or Traditional Peep Sight?

I observed an FBI protocol demonstration last year. Federal tactical 55 grain was dismal against clothed gelatin after passing through each of wallboard, plywood, glass and steel compared to 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP Gold Dots. The round went to pieces. 62 grain and 75 grain Gold Dots did better in gel than the Federal after passing through those barriers, but they still didn't outpenetrate the handgun rounds to the best of my recollection. Of course, against bare and clothed gel, all of the .223 rounds did impressive damage compared to the handgun rounds and still did not overpenetrate. I personally wouldn't worry about any of those .223 rounds, and I would use a 9mm before using the 55 grain if I needed to penetrate any barrier. Of course, use the 55 grain if you want less chance of penetration than with your handgun (if a barrier is involved).

I can't speak to steel core. That's just a bad idea for home defense.

YMMV