Hornady Critical Defense .223 Rem 73gr FTX – 20 Rounds

Description

The Hornady Critical Defense .223 Rem 73-grain round delivers the kind of terminal performance you actually need when it matters. The centerpiece is the FTX bullet, which uses a soft polymer tip instead of a traditional hollow cavity. As it impacts soft tissue, the tip compresses inward like a piston, triggering rapid and consistent expansion. The real advantage shows up when the bullet passes through heavy clothing or barriers—the polymer tip prevents the hollow point from clogging with fabric or debris, ensuring the round expands every time, not just when conditions are perfect.

Critical Defense for Home Defense Carbines

The 73-grain weight strikes a balance between the lighter 55-grain loads and heavier match ammunition. At 2,790 feet per second from the muzzle, this round delivers dependable performance from short-barreled rifles and carbines without excessive velocity that leads to overpenetration. The nickel-plated brass cases feed smoothly through modern rifles and are easier to spot during chamber checks in low light, which matters when you need to know your firearm is ready. Premium low-flash propellants preserve your night vision by reducing muzzle flash during the critical seconds of a defensive situation.

Precision Engineering Throughout

Hornady loaded these rounds with careful attention to consistency. Each cartridge uses nickel-plated brass cases that resist corrosion, premium low-flash propellants, and reliable primers. The combination adds up to ammunition that functions the same way from round to round. The 73-grain bullet delivers controlled expansion and deep wound cavities across a wide range of velocities, so you don't have to wonder if the round is performing as intended. Twenty rounds per box gives you a practical quantity for training, zeroing, or having defensive loads ready.