Hornady Critical Defense .223 Remington 73gr FTX Ammo Ballistics
Brass Case • FTX • MPN: 80260
Hornady Critical Defense .223 Remington 73gr FTX Ammo Ballistics
Brass Case • FTX • MPN: 80260
Trajectory @ 100yd Zero
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2790 fps | 1262 ft-lb | — |
| 25 yds | 2703 fps | 1184 ft-lb | -0.7" |
| 50 yds | 2618 fps | 1111 ft-lb | -0.1" |
| 75 yds | 2535 fps | 1042 ft-lb | +0.1" |
| 100 yds ⊕ | 2453 fps | 976 ft-lb | +0.0" |
| 125 yds | 2373 fps | 913 ft-lb | -0.5" |
| 150 yds | 2294 fps | 853 ft-lb | -1.3" |
| 175 yds | 2217 fps | 797 ft-lb | -2.6" |
| 200 yds | 2141 fps | 743 ft-lb | -4.3" |
| 225 yds | 2067 fps | 693 ft-lb | -6.5" |
| 250 yds | 1994 fps | 645 ft-lb | -9.2" |
| 275 yds | 1923 fps | 599 ft-lb | -12.4" |
| 300 yds | 1854 fps | 557 ft-lb | -16.3" |
| 325 yds | 1786 fps | 517 ft-lb | -20.7" |
| 350 yds | 1720 fps | 479 ft-lb | -25.9" |
| 375 yds | 1656 fps | 444 ft-lb | -31.7" |
| 400 yds | 1594 fps | 412 ft-lb | -38.4" |
| 425 yds | 1534 fps | 381 ft-lb | -45.9" |
| 450 yds | 1476 fps | 353 ft-lb | -54.4" |
| 475 yds | 1421 fps | 327 ft-lb | -63.8" |
| 500 yds | 1368 fps | 303 ft-lb | -74.3" |
Product Overview
Hornady Critical Defense 73gr FTX is Hornady's dedicated home defense load for .223 Remington rifles. The 73gr FTX bullet is significantly heavier than standard 55gr loads, which gives it better performance from the shorter barrels found on AR pistols and SBRs. At 2,790 fps, it is slower than lightweight varmint bullets but carries 1,262 ft-lbs of energy with a 0.265 G1 ballistic coefficient. The FTX design uses a red polymer tip seated inside the hollow point, which prevents the cavity from clogging with fabric or drywall material during penetration. This ensures consistent expansion whether the bullet passes through clothing or bare gelatin.
The heavier 73gr bullet requires a 1:8 or faster twist rate to stabilize properly. Most modern AR-15s ship with 1:7 or 1:8 twist barrels, so compatibility is not an issue for the majority of owners. The added weight also means the bullet retains energy better at distance compared to lightweight varmint loads, though this is a defensive round designed for indoor distances rather than long-range shooting. The nickel-plated cases are easy to identify in low light and extract smoothly from chambers.
Homeowners who keep an AR-15 for property defense should consider this load alongside Speer Gold Dot. Where Gold Dot uses bonded construction for barrier penetration, Critical Defense uses the FTX tip to ensure expansion after passing through common household barriers. The heavier bullet also reduces the risk of over-penetration compared to FMJ ammunition. This is a purpose-built defensive round and should not be used for target practice due to its premium cost. Train with 55gr FMJ and keep Critical Defense loaded for when it matters.
- FTX polymer tip prevents hollow point clogging through fabric and drywall
- Heavier 73gr bullet retains energy better than lightweight defensive options
- Nickel-plated cases for smooth feeding and easy chamber checks in low light
- Optimized for shorter AR barrels where lightweight bullets lose velocity
- Requires 1:8 or faster twist rate, won't stabilize in older 1:12 twist barrels
- Lower muzzle velocity (2,790 fps) than standard 55gr loads
- Premium pricing makes it impractical for range practice
- Limited terminal performance data compared to widely-tested Gold Dot
All Hornady Critical Defense .223 Remington 73gr FTX Ammo Prices
| DEALER | QTY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $30.00 | $18.43 | $48.43 | $2.42 |