AR-15 Critical Defense vs Gold Dot!...223 Ammo Ballistic Gel Test!

Published on June 16, 2023
Duration: 14:22

This video provides an expert-level comparison of two .223 Remington rifle ammunition types: Hornady Critical Defense 73gr FTX and Speer Gold Dot 62gr Soft Point. The host, demonstrating high authority and a practical methodology, conducts ballistic gel tests using a Palmetto State Armory AR-15. The analysis focuses on velocity, penetration, expansion, and weight retention, offering valuable insights for defensive rifle ammunition selection.

Quick Summary

Expert ballistic gel testing of .223 Remington ammunition from a 16-inch PSA AR-15 revealed key performance differences. Speer Gold Dot 62gr demonstrated superior terminal ballistics with full weight retention (62.2gr) and symmetrical expansion (0.51"), penetrating 16.25 inches. Hornady Critical Defense 73gr FTX fragmented heavily, retaining only 38.8gr after 14 inches of penetration, with lower real-world velocity (2570 fps vs. 2655 fps).

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Setup
  2. 00:51Ammunition Overview
  3. 01:48Test Firearm
  4. 02:08Velocity Testing: Hornady
  5. 04:23Velocity Testing: Speer
  6. 06:18Ballistic Gel Test: Hornady
  7. 07:16Ballistic Gel Test: Speer
  8. 09:57Projectile Analysis and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hornady Critical Defense and Speer Gold Dot .223 ammo perform in ballistic gel tests?

Hornady Critical Defense 73gr FTX penetrated 14 inches and fragmented significantly, retaining only 38.8gr. Speer Gold Dot 62gr penetrated 16.25 inches, expanded symmetrically to 0.51", and retained its full 62.2gr weight.

What was the real-world velocity of .223 ammo fired from a 16-inch PSA AR-15?

The Hornady Critical Defense 73gr FTX averaged 2570 fps, lower than its advertised 2790 fps. The Speer Gold Dot 62gr averaged 2655 fps from the same rifle.

Which .223 defensive round is recommended based on the ballistic gel test?

Based on weight retention and consistent expansion, the Speer Gold Dot 62gr is recommended over the Hornady Critical Defense 73gr FTX for defensive rifle applications after this test.

What factors influence .223 Remington ammunition performance in an AR-15?

Barrel length and twist rate significantly impact velocity and bullet stabilization. A 1:7 twist rate is beneficial for stabilizing heavier bullets like the 73gr FTX, but velocity can be lower from shorter barrels.

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