Carrying two different types of ammo

[Grand58742]

I've been reading up on different types of ammo here recently and have been sufficiently impressed with some of the newer rounds that have come out in recent years for the .223/5.56 chambering. Anyhow, a few of the authors on other websites have suggested carrying two different types of ammo for different situations. I.E. standard FMJ, OTM or HP rounds for people and then heavier or penetrating or barrier blind rounds for specific situations.

Got me to thinking of this and wondering if carrying two different types of ammo, say a 62 grain M855 type and a few mags of 77 grain OTM would be a good idea. They would shoot to two different points of aim. Maybe not a lot for close up, but for distance, certainly would be enough of a difference to have to correct point of aim. Confusion in types of rounds carried (which one did I grab in the dark?). And the logistical concerns of feeding two different types of ammo into the situation...

Kind of came to the conclusion it isn't such a great idea. Sure it's nice to have versatility in your platform, but carrying said versatility and having to think about which round you are using in a firefight? Not such a good idea in my thinking.

I know there isn't a "one size fits all" type of round, especially in the .223 platform. But IMO it's better to load and carry one specific type of round which you know exactly where it will hit instead of two types of rounds with different points of aim and different situations they would work best in.

Thoughts? Comments?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I carry a side by side mag setup. The left mag carries green tips and the right mag (which stays in the well) carries 69gr hp. If the worst that happens is I use a barricade round on a person it's no biggie, down is down to me, theres a reason is holds 30. In a typical firefight the distances are not great enough to cause misses. Most threats, justified as you could describe them to a Judge, DA and Jury, would be close unless you get into it with a super sniper or something.
Thats my thoughts but everyones needs are not the same.

[Grand58742]

unless you get into it with a super sniper or something.

Been watching me shoot again? :D

[rice paddy daddy]

Thoughts? Comments?
I have not been in a gunfight in over 40 years, and with Gods help I will never be in that situation again.
But what I remember is that it was chaos and everything seemed to happen without concious thought, I just reacted the way I was trained. It's not like a sunny, blue sky, day at the range when rounds (and worse) are coming your way fired by men who are trying their best to kill you.
If I had to think about what ammo was in my rifle, and what ammo I would need next...................

Personally, and this is just me, I tend to use the keep-it-simple method.
Remember, the internet is full of "experts" who really aren't.

[protus]

i stock,train and carry one kind for shtf.

fmj.

is it the best.
maybe not.
but it is....

cheap
and
works everytime

[WiseOwl]

I always assumed a bullet was a bullet was a bullet except during competition. Please correct me if I am wrong guys.

I know of the different grains and tips but does it matter in a survival situation? I thought the power pushing it would be the decision.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I always assumed a bullet was a bullet was a bullet except during competition. Please correct me if I am wrong guys.

I know of the different grains and tips but does it matter in a survival situation? I thought the power pushing it would be the decision.

Some bullets are not good at hard items such as metal. It's a much debated item because everyone needs are not the same and everyone fights are not the same. Having a requested by the author opinion doesnt make you an expert nor does being in one kind of fight. My descisions are based on my experiences of which only one other person on here knows what that is and even his knowledge is limited because I dont discuss it with any man. To carry different things can be tricky because some men are not comforatable in fights and the mad minute of the fight is mind bending even to the best and too many descisions will cause hesitation, issues, doubt and possible failures. Think about it this way when you were in a fist fight did you think oh i should use my boxing or my wrestling or did you just do what was needed at the time and use what was availible. You will simply shove the next mag in and go during the mix, my thoughts on my setup are that if the first 30 anti tissue rounds didnt get it done they will probably be behind something at that point so the next 30 need to be hardend to get to them. I also want my first 30 for anti tissue because I am now a hunter of many things and am going to be the longhunter for the clan post SHTF and it resides in my house as well and doesnt need to go thru every wall after hitting the badguy. My AR soft rounds actually go thru less sheetrock than my pistol hollow points. It also gives me the option of switching if i find myself in a sniper/counter sniper role against someone who is behind a hardend barricade. Not all fights are crazy and many are in fact controlled and what are referred to as preplanned rather than spontaneous.
Again everyones needs/desires are different and this is worthy of thought because we are responsible for every bullet that leaves the barrel, this isnt open war, even post SHTF things might stablize sooner than you think and you might find yourself answering some tough questions if you act as though you are sanctioned to mow stuff down like you were in the Military possibly at some point.
Keep it simple, truthfully dont worry about the small stuff and just get the steel on target because the best bullet in the world cant do it's job if it doesnt make it there. There is no magic round and i suppose of I could only have 1 it would be ball for the price as mention above by "P" and versitlity provided that it shot accuratly and without fail. Gotta do your homework and I applaud those who have thought it thru!

[boltgun308]

One thing to remember about defeating armor whether it is metal or kevlar is speed kills. The faster the projectile is moving, the easier it defeats armor. We were having 55 grain FMJ doing a number on some AR500 plate when 62 grain AP was just knocking the paint off. I wish that I would have chrono'd some to see the difference in velocity.

[PerryJeff]

I like to keep AP in one mag for the M14. I keep that mag in back of pouch on my left side so it would be my last one pulled out. my shotgun behind the door is loaded first 3 shells 7 1/2 shot then next 4 are 4 shot. That way if I grab it quick I know what I have. I will sometimes shoot wild cat's or crows so I jack out the first 3 if I have time otherwise know I have the bigger shot following up. 90% of the time I am shooting blackbirds or starlings.

[rice paddy daddy]

One thing that was done in Vietnam, don't know if it's done today, is to load a couple of tracers near the bottom of the magazine to let you know when it's almost empty.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

One thing that was done in Vietnam, don't know if it's done today, is to load a couple of tracers near the bottom of the magazine to let you know when it's almost empty.

___rd round down, like the Vietnam Vets who raised me told me to do! I passed it on during my time to my troops and I still do so today with my carry mags

[xdpatriot]

I agree with the tracers, but other than that, I'd rather have too much bullet than not enough. It's up to you to decide what's enough depending on your situation. Get the best you can afford. IMO

[gunfreak]

My battle rifle is my Remington 700 30-06, I know you AR freaks are saying I can't lay down enough fire. Tell that to the dough boys of WW1. Besides I converted it to except 10 round mags and remember only hits count.