YAGunT: .223/5.56 bullet tumbling vs fragmentation

[CoachB]

You clearly don't understand how the round works. It tumbles when it hits a fleshy target.

Clearly! Every deer, bear, or boar I've ever shot had either (1) a wadded up hunk of lead or (2) numerous sharp shards of the bullet, inside. No evidence of "tumbling". I never knew the bullet cleverly wove it's way into just the right spot before transforming. And to think a little bullet can determine if it hit cloth, skin, hair, bone, or a tree and act accordingly.

In case you haven't caught the sarcasm, I'm not believing it!

 

[jpeyton]

In other news, 5.56x45mm is not the only rifle cartridge in existence. I wonder how 5.45x39mm performs since its not too popular here, but I see it online sometimes. I kinda wonder if the extra powder is wasted, since 5.56x45mm is near maximum velocity for a bullet, about 3100fps.

Typically, cartridges that are adopted for widespread military use are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

Eastern bloc milsurp is inexpensive and fun to shoot; NATO milsurp costs a little more, but still isn't expensive as those oddball calibers. I hear .204 Ruger is an awesome varmint caliber, but at 80 cents per round...that's more than I pay for .308 (7.62). I'd rather varmint with bulk XM193 at 30 cents per round.

 

[velillen]

In other news, 5.56x45mm is not the only rifle cartridge in existence. I wonder how 5.45x39mm performs since its not too popular here, but I see it online sometimes. I kinda wonder if the extra powder is wasted, since 5.56x45mm is near maximum velocity for a bullet, about 3100fps.

5.45 was the Soviets answer to the 5.56. It's similar to a 5.56 out to around 300 yards in my experience plinking with it. It's a fun varmit round too since you can get it for around 12 cents a round vs 20 or so for 223 milsurp. It's definitely not as common though and can be harder to find. And most of it is corrosive so best if you have a dedicated gun for it imo.