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Posted On: 8/14/2020
By: Jesse Scott
A: Hi Jesse! I'm the one who creates all these products, and I'm happy to share my thought process with you.
If its manufacturer markets a cartridge for its suitability for self-defense, I do the same. Handgun rounds with JHP bullets always fit this designation. When the ammo is intended for hunting I don't mark it for self-defense, although essentially hunting round would serve well for self-defense. Hornady's V-MAX, for example, is often loaded in hunting rounds, but that same bullet is often used for self-defense. The ony 223 Rem ammo meant for varmint hunting that I wouldn't recommend for self-defense is one with an unusually lightweight bullet. At the end of the day, thoguh, if it's got an expanding bullet I'd consider it suitable for self-defense.
You could very well use range ammo with a FMJ or TMJ bullet for self-defense. Still, ammo with a non-expanding bullet is not ideal for self-defense – creates a narrower wound channel, potentially transfers less energy during penetration, and may overpenetrate. Naturally it'd be ridiculous to suppose that any 223 Rem or other rifle cartridge wouldn't topple a human-sized threat. Our own Armed Forces use non-expanding ammo in warfare for humanitarian reasons.
So when I say rifle ammo like this, I mean it's designed for range training and there are better alternatives out there for self-defense. What I don't mean to suggest is that someone who gets hit with a 62 grain non-expanding hollow point bullet is likely to do anything less than buckle over.
Basically, target ammo is acceptable for self-defense if you've no better alternative like soft point or polymer tip. Varmint hunting ammo is generally better for self-defense, unless it's a round like 22 LR or 17 HMR that's too weak to reliably stop a threat.
Let me know if you'd still like to know more – I'm just rambling!
