Is there ammo for .223 that is geared towards home defense? Will just any hollow point do? Would grain weight matter?

Just about any bullet will begin to fragment after you hit 2x the sounds barrier. Hollow points and OTM probably the most reliably, then followed by FMJ ammo such as xm19 and m855, and lastly bonded soft points (which are designed with barrier penetration in mind for most applications).

A lighter and faster bullet will always frag faster than a heavier and slower one.

That just what I remember off the top of my head.

As far as home defense goes (with 223) "lighter is better".

The lighter weight bullets tend to fragment better and are less of a risk for over penetration.

If you can find a 50-55 grain bullet, preferably with a polymer tip, you should be good to go.

Look what 223 does to target frames at 100 yards. 

I hope you hit the perp!

Remember you're responsible for any bullet that leaves your property and then some.

Look what 223 does to target frames at 100 yards. 

I hope you hit the perp!

Remember you're responsible for any bullet that leaves your property and then some.

Yeah, and it appears we are also responsible for bullets that none of us ever fired (GK).

Yeah, and it appears we are also responsible for bullets that none of us ever fired (GK).

Hmmmmm......reincarnation perhaps???

I can't remember where I seen it, but I watched a test where shotgun, handgun, and AR where tested shooting through double wall dry wall. Multiple walls where set up a room distance apart and shot to see how many walls a projectile might sail through.   Surprisingly,  the high velocity and low weight bullet actually penetrated less sheet rock walls than any of the other options.  The bullets started fragmenting immediately after striking the first wall and lost much energy.  I believe the 5.56 went through only two walls(?), where the others penetrated much more.

From KK's URL, here's the goods.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-14-rifles-shotguns-and-walls/

http://www.theboxotruth.com

From KK's URL, here's the goods.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-14-rifles-shotguns-and-walls/

Was similar to this, but results was not 4 walls.  not sure what ammo was being used.

Here's a couple

http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=26

http://how-i-did-it.org/drywall/test-parameters.html

You should utilize a round that is capable of 12-18" of penetration depth in a defensive round.  Any round (pistol or long gun) that is capable of this can easily rip through a couple of walls in modern construction and barring any studs or metal such as wiring, conduit, etc, will still be highly lethal.  So it is more about your backstop and what is beyond that which will really matter.  An average defensive 9mm round will have more penetration than your average 5.56.  Pick a good defensive 5.56 round and have the training and plan for a within the home defense.

I say meh to .223, I load up with 12 gauge slugs and 00buckshot.  I personally hope the guy is wearing body armor so that the slug will cave in his chest!

I know it's heresy to say so, but IMO ARs are terrible for home defense unless you have a huge spread.

* you'll probably damage you and your family's hearing permanently shooting without hearing protection in a tight space (don't take this lightly)
* cumbersome to maneuver, again unless you live in a Texan house or a barn - there's a reason guns like the MP5 exist. Simple mechanics, a smaller gun points faster. Point your finger then point a broom, tell me which is quicker.
* accuracy gains negligible at short distances. At long distances you can't legally claim SD as affirmative defense either "your honor the guy with the knife 50yards away made me fear for my life" good luck with that.
* you need two hands to operate it properly. Can't open a door, call 911, grab your kid, etc
* can't be concealed/hidden (depending on scenario this could matter)

Bottom line, lots of disadvantages, minimal benefits unless you are defending a large ranch and/or are worried about body armor.

That said, I'd take a look at Silvertip or something similar (TAP or TSX). Silvertip is designed to deform very rapidly as the polymer tip hits the thin wall splats out. I know some SWAT units use it with M4s to reduce overpenetration and from my research it has a good reputation.

If you're really worried about barriers you could have a mag of greentip as well.

A rifle such as my AR-15 is not my first choice for home defense. In fact it's one of my last choice. I'd pick my bullpups over that. Problem is that for home defense and how panicked you may be, you may not have a chance to get to your favorite weapon. So in case of last resort I wanted to know if there was such as thing as home defense .223 or 5.56 ammo. I want to have almost every weapon ready to go. I also have extra hearing protection in my safe and other locations. Reality is that if I ever have to fire a weapon, losing mine or my families hearing is worth their life as shitty as it may sound.

Fair enough,

Check out Winchester Silvertip or Hornady TAP