Hornady Hype? .223 Rem Hornady 73gr Critical Defense Gel Test
This Hornady .223 Rem 73gr Critical Defense FTX gel test reveals that while the round performs well in short-barreled AR-15s (10.5"), its penetration is inadequate for self-defense with longer 16" barrels. The test showed 13.6" penetration in gel from a 10.5" barrel, with significant fragmentation and a temporary stretch cavity of 6"x4". However, Hornady's own tests with a 16" barrel yielded only 10" penetration, suggesting higher velocity from longer barrels can cause premature expansion and reduced effectiveness.









