I am spending the little bit of time that I have this winter reloading.

I have a 223 load that I like for prairie dogs. I have been loading lots of them. I use a 55gr v-max bullet and TAC powder. I chose 55gr so that point of aim was basically the same with 55FMJ and other cheap ammo.

Now, I am wanting to load up some "tactical" ammo. You never know when tactical ammo is needed.

Now, my constraints are: 223 (yes, i know that a 308 is better and I load it but I am talking 223), about 55gr so that I can shoot to approximately the same point of aim. I like v-max bullets, but I think on anything bigger than varmints, they just won't penetrate enough. Also, I doubt a v-max would penetrate much in the way of cover.

I was thinking of loading something along the lines of Hornady's TAP ammo. Does this use the A-ma bullet or a proprietary bullet? The A-max is a 52gr bullet. The v-max seems too much like a varmint bullet.

I don't think there are any "fail-safe" type bullets available for 223. What bullets shoudl I try? What are some pet tactical loads anyone might have?

-Dana