223 Rem – 73 Gr FTX – Hornady Critical Defense (80260) – 200 Rounds

This .223 Remington load (80260) is built for fast, reliable home defense performance. The 73 grain FTX bullet is engineered for short-range defensive use. Its polymer Flex Tip helps protect the hollow cavity from clogging. As a result, the bullet can expand more consistently after passing through heavy clothing. Hornady also positions this load as part of its rifle-oriented Critical Defense line, with an emphasis on quick expansion and limited penetration for defensive scenarios.

Hornady rates this load at 2,790 fps muzzle velocity and 1,262 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. That gives the buyer a meaningful combination of speed and impact force in a defensive rifle cartridge. In addition, Hornady states that the nickel-plated cases feed smoothly, improve low-light chamber checks, resist corrosion, and pair with propellants formulated to reduce flash. Therefore, this load is not just about terminal effect. It is also designed around practical defensive use inside real-world conditions.

The packaging is straightforward and useful. Each box contains 20 rounds. Each case contains 10 boxes, for a total of 200 rounds. That format works well for buyers who want enough ammunition for function testing, zero confirmation, defensive readiness, and reserve supply. You can stage one box for immediate access and keep the remaining boxes sealed. Moreover, retailer listings identify this load as Boxer primed, reloadable, and loaded in nickel-plated brass cases.

For the buyer, the purpose is clear. You get a purpose-built defensive rifle load. You get a polymer-tipped expanding bullet optimized for this role. And you get a 200-round case that supports both readiness and validation. Altogether, this is a serious home defense option for shooters who want a .223 load designed specifically around defensive application rather than general-purpose range use.