Hornady Critical Defense .223 Rem

In this video, Caleb compares Hornady Critical Defense .223 against standard 55 grain FMJ and a 75 grain BTHP in ballistic gel. Shot from a practical AR-15 setup, this test shows real differences in wound channel, energy transfer, and terminal performance. If you are considering defensive rifle ammo or want to understand how different .223 loads behave on impact, this side by side comparison breaks it down clearly. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and test overview 00:16 Ammo comparison and expectations 00:57 Velocity and zero considerations 01:30 Defensive ammo vs FMJ discussion 03:07 Rifle setup and barrel length 04:06 Shooting Hornady Critical Defense 04:47 Critical Defense gel results 06:13 Shooting 55 grain FMJ 06:53 FMJ gel results and penetration 08:32 Comparing wound channels 09:28 Shooting 75 grain BTHP 10:43 BTHP gel results and fragmentation 12:41 Final thoughts on defensive ammo In this video, you will learn: How Hornady Critical Defense .223 performs in ballistic gel The difference between FMJ and defensive rifle ammo How energy transfer affects terminal performance How match bullets compare to defensive loads on impact Why ammo selection matters for defensive use This comparison highlights the importance of choosing the right ammunition for your intended purpose. While all rounds are capable of stopping a threat, differences in expansion and energy transfer can significantly impact effectiveness.