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Best 5.56 Ammo

What is 5.56 Ammo? 👁‍🗨

5.56x45mm NATO ammunition is a type of rifle cartridge that originated in the United States and is used primarily for military applications. It has become popular among civilian shooters due to its accuracy, affordability, and availability.

Best 5.56 Ammo

Features 🔋

When it comes to 5.56 ammo, there are a few features that set it apart from other types of ammunition:

🔰 5.56 ammo is typically lightweight and tends to have better accuracy;
🔰 It also has a higher velocity;
🔰 The rounds have a larger diameter compared to most other ammunition;
🔰 Additionally, they tend to have less recoil than heavier round types;
🔰 5.56 ammo also offers versatility due to its wide range of calibers;
🔰 Lastly, 5.56 ammo is generally more affordable than other types of rounds.
Our Top Pick
223 Rem – 55 Grain FMJBT – Federal American Eagle Military Grade
Look no further for a dependable, precise and budget-friendly round of .223 ammunition for your AR-15 rifle than the Federal American Eagle's 23 Rem – 55 Grain FMJBT. This specialized military grade ammo is ideal for range training, target practice or plinking - all at an economical price!
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Benefits 💎

🔔 There are many benefits to 5.56 ammo over other types of ammunition, which is why it has become the most popular choice for military and sporting use.

💣 5.56 ammo:

  • 🔹 is a lightweight round with excellent accuracy and relatively low recoil ➔ making it versatile and easy to shoot accurately;
  • 🔸 has a higher velocity than rifle calibers such as .223 Remington ➔ so they can deliver more energy on target while reducing the time needed to reacquire targets after each shot;
  • 🔹 also has an effective range of up to 600 yards and performs better in windy conditions than other rifle calibers due to their smaller size and lighter weight;
  • 🔸 benefit from the variety of bullet shapes available ➔ allowing shooters to select the most appropriate type for their needs;
  • 🔹 is also economical, as 5.56 rounds are relatively inexpensive compared to other rifle calibers and generally offer a good cost-to-performance ratio;
  • 🔸 is widely available and compatible with the most popular rifles ➔ making it an excellent choice for users of all types.

5.56 Ammo

What are the types of 5.56 ammo? 🤷🏻‍♀️

5.56x45mm NATO rounds are available in a variety of different types, each designed for a specific purpose. The most common 5.56 ammo types are:

  • 1️⃣ Full metal jacket (FMJ) ➔ the most common type of ammo used by shooters for range training and plinking (shooting at targets for practice). They are also often used by varmint hunters for pest control.
  • 2️⃣ Hollow point (HP) ➔ designed for self-defense and hunting applications. They expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and increasing the chances of stopping an attacker or taking down a big game animal with one shot.
  • 3️⃣ Match grade ➔ designed for use in competition shooting. These rounds typically feature more precise manufacturing and higher quality components than standard 5.56 ammo, resulting in more consistent accuracy.

Best 🚀 5.56 Ammo Reviews

1# 223 Rem – 55 Grain FMJBT – Federal American Eagle Military Grade

223 Rem - 55 Grain FMJBT - Federal American Eagle Military Grade

500 Rounds

Searching for a reliable, accurate, and affordable round of .223 ammunition for your AR-15 rifle? Check out the Federal American Eagle’s military-grade 23 Rem – 55 Grain FMJBT. This specialized military-grade ammunition is perfect for range training, target practice, or plinking. Each round is comprised of a 55-grain full metal jacket boat tail bullet, boxer-primed brass casing, and is non-corrosive. With a muzzle velocity of 3240 feet per second and muzzle energy of 1282 ft-lbs, this .223 Remington ammo provides consistent, powerful performance.

Video review

Pros:
  • Full metal jacket boat tail
  • Boxer-primed brass
  • Muzzle velocity 3240 fps
  • Military-grade ammunition
Cons:
  • Not suitable for hunting
  • It may be not always available

What to consider when shopping for 5.56 Ammo? 💡

When shopping for 5.56 ammo, it is important to consider:

  • 1️⃣ The type 

✔️ There are several types available including Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), Hollow Point (HP), etc. Each type has different characteristics that make it suitable for specific applications such as target shooting, hunting, or self-defense.

  • 2️⃣ The grain weight 

✔️ Heavier grains generally deliver more accuracy at longer distances but may also increase recoil in some cases.

  • 3️⃣ Factors such as muzzle velocity, bullet drop, and energy transfer

✔️ They can all affect the performance of 5.56 ammo.

  • 4️⃣ The cost

✔️ While cheaper rounds may be tempting they may not always deliver quality results when compared to higher-end ammo options.

  • 5️⃣ Do a research and read reviews

✔️ To ensure that you are getting the best ammo for your money.

5.56 Ammo

FAQ 🤔

What caliber is 5.56 equal to?
🔐 5.56 is a NATO round, which means it has the same specifications as .223 Remington. 5.56 rounds are slightly longer than .223 Remington rounds, but can still be used in most firearms chambered for either caliber.
What grain of 5.56 ammo should I use?
⚠️ The type of 5.56 ammo you choose will depend on your intended application and preference as a shooter.

  • 🔰 For example, if you’re looking for an effective self-defense round ⟹ then something lighter like a 62-grain or 64-grain hollow point (HP) would likely be your best option since it offers more stopping power than FMJ rounds due to its expanded size upon impact.
  • 🔰 On the other hand, if you plan to use it for target shooting or competition purposes ⟹ then a 55-grain FMJ round would be more suitable since it is designed to offer greater accuracy and less recoil than its heavier counterparts.

🎥 Watch the video to learn more:

What's the difference between 5.56 and .223?
The 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington cartridges are very similar, but there are some important differences to be aware of⬇️

  • ⭕️ First off, 5.56 NATO ammunition is loaded to a higher pressure than .223 Remington ammunition.

📢 This means that 5.56 NATO barrels and chambers are built to withstand these higher pressures, while.223 Remington barrels and chambers may not be.

  • ⭕️ 5.56 NATO is also often loaded with heavier bullet weights than .223 Remington.

📢 So 5.56 NATO rifles may have different twist rates than .223 Remington rifles.

What is the best 5.56 ammo for plinking?
🔔 The best 5.56 ammo for plinking (target practice) is usually going to be the cheapest you can find. 👉🏼 Since you’re just shooting at targets, you don’t need to worry about choosing the perfect self-defense or hunting ammunition.

✔️ Just pick up some cheap 5.56 FMJ (full metal jacket) rounds and get to shooting!

Is a 5.56 or .223 stronger?
✅ 5.56 rifle ammunition is generally considered to be more powerful than .223 rifle ammunition, due in large part to its higher muzzle velocity and larger bullet diameter.

  • 📌 5.56 rounds offer greater penetration than the smaller .223 cartridge ➔ which makes them better suited for long-range shooting or hunting larger game.

🎥 Hope the video will be helpful for you:

Conclusion ⏰

5.56 ammo is a type of ammunition that can be used for sport shooting, hunting, or self-defense purposes. In this article, we have reviewed some of the best options on the market to help you make an informed purchase decision. Thanks for reading! 😉❤️

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Robert Hret
Robert Hret
11 months ago

Greetings. guys! To test the effectiveness of my AE223J ammunition, I purchased 20 lbs. of clay and fired from a 12.5″ 1:7 barrel at a distance of 50 yards. The results were quite surprising: the round split the block open completely at the top, creating a basketball-sized cavity. However, the round made a quick right turn and exited the block after only traveling about 8 inches.
I also tested a 75 gr Frontier BTHP round, which split the block open and flattened it. Unfortunately, I am unable to attach the pictures here, but both rounds caused significant damage to the clay block. I find the clay to be a great material for testing, as it can be easily reshaped for further use.

joe
joe
Reply to  Robert Hret
11 months ago

The clay used in the test was water-based modeling?

Robert Hret
Robert Hret
Reply to  joe
11 months ago

It was natural clay with a brownish-gray color.

iohh90
iohh90
11 months ago

can you bag a deer with this ammo?

Shannon Smith
Editor
Reply to  iohh90
11 months ago

✔️ Assuming good shot placement, it is highly likely that you could accomplish the intended outcome.

Kloud
Kloud
11 months ago

I’d like to buy the ammo for target shooting. How far will a 5.56 bullet travel before it drops?

Shannon Smith
Editor
Reply to  Kloud
11 months ago

🔵 At sea level with standard 5.56 ammo loaded with a 55-grain projectile and propellant charge, the bullets will generally drop below the line of sight at ranges around 600 yards (547 m). ⚠️ This distance can vary slightly depending on the environment—high altitude locations may allow the bullets to travel farther before they drop, while lower altitudes will reduce the maximum distance 5.56 ammo can reach before its trajectory drops below the line of sight.

Joe Skart
Joe Skart
11 months ago

As a new enthusiast in the gun world, I am seeking advice on purchasing 500-1000 rounds of 5.56 ammunition that I can keep for a while. There seem to be many differing opinions on the subject, so I am hoping for some guidance.
Quality and accuracy are my top priorities when it comes to selecting ammunition. If you have any recommendations or thoughts on the matter, please share them with me.

joe
joe
Reply to  Joe Skart
11 months ago

55gr new brass FMJ

Flowl Paul
Flowl Paul
Reply to  Joe Skart
11 months ago

If you want to determine the best ammunition for your rifle, I suggest buying several boxes of different brands and testing them out. Once you’ve tested all the options, you can select the brand that fits you best.

melman2
melman2
Reply to  Joe Skart
11 months ago

I am curious about how some gun enthusiasts are able to keep 500-1000 rounds of ammunition for an extended period of time. I personally go through my ammunition quite quickly, typically within a couple of weeks. It always seems to disappear faster than I expect! hahaha

Shelby
Shelby
Reply to  Joe Skart
11 months ago

Short answer: 55gr. Brass case FMJ

Frank Man
Frank Man
11 months ago

As a new owner of an AR15, I am curious about high-quality ammunition options for my rifle. Currently, I have experience using Winchester 5.56mm 50-grain Jacketed Frangible rounds, but I am not sure how they compare to other options in terms of quality.
Could you recommend some mid to high-quality 5.56 ammunition that is worth the investment? I even will spend extra money for reliable and effective rounds))))))

Perl Cow
Perl Cow
Reply to  Frank Man
11 months ago

To prepare for home defense, I recommend purchasing a few boxes of Hornady TAP .223 ammunition, which should be sufficient. You can test the reliability of the ammunition by shooting one or two boxes and then loading the rest of the rounds into a magazine for quick access.
For casual shooting or target practice, you can look for the most affordable options on AmmoSeek. Typically, Wolf Gold ammunition is priced around 0.31 cents per round (cpr), and PMC X-Tac is around 0.35 cpr. Both brands offer great plinking and practice rounds.

809lion
809lion
11 months ago

During our coyote hunting trips, my dad and I use 55-grain and 75-grain ammunition.

lewis
lewis
11 months ago

I have three 30-round magazines loaded with Black Hills Open Tip Match (OTM) 77-grain ammunition for home defense. Based on my personal experience, Black Hills OTM 77gr produced the most precise shot groupings at 100 yards compared to other high-quality ammunitions like Hornady TAP and Hornady Super-performance Match. However, keep in mind that the ammunition’s performance may vary depending on your rifle’s preferences. I recommend using bullets with a weight of 65-grain or above, preferably open tip, for optimal results.

King Rob
King Rob
11 months ago

Hey. Just wanted to know whether 556 ammo can be used in a 223 rifle.

Shannon Smith
Editor
Reply to  King Rob
11 months ago

🔔 The 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington cartridges are similar, but not identical. 5.56 NATO is loaded to higher chamber pressure than the .223 Remington. It can be fired safely in a 223 rifle, but it may cause excessive wear and stress on the rifle and should not be used regularly with a 223 rifle.