Best 5.56x45mm NATO Ammo
Compare loads for defense, target, competition & more
The 5.56x45mm NATO represents the standard for modern military rifles and has become equally popular in civilian markets through its commercial equivalent, the .223 Remington. Adopted by NATO in 1963, this cartridge revolutionized military small arms by prioritizing lightweight ammunition capacity, minimal recoil, and effectiveness at typical combat ranges. Its success has made it the most widely used centerfire rifle cartridge in the Western world.
This cartridge's popularity stems from its exceptional versatility and practicality. The combination of high velocity, flat trajectory, and minimal recoil makes it equally effective for military operations, law enforcement, home defense, competition shooting, and varmint hunting. Modern ammunition development has significantly enhanced its terminal performance, while maintaining the original benefits of light weight, high capacity, and shooter-friendly characteristics that made it revolutionary.
All 5.56x45mm NATO Loads
Compare ballistics and prices across 8 products
| PRODUCT ↕ | GRAIN ↕ | VELOCITY ↕ | ENERGY ↕ | BC ↕ | USE CASE ↕ | BEST PRICE ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Frontier Cartridge 5.56x45mm NATO 68gr BTHP Match Ammo
68gr
• 2960 fps
• Competition
|
68gr | 2960 | 1323 | .355 | Competition | $0.57/rd |
|
Frontier Cartridge 5.56x45 NATO 75gr BTHP Match Ammo
75gr
• 2910 fps
• Competition
|
75gr | 2910 | 1410 | .355 | Competition | $0.64/rd |
|
Hornady Black 5.56x45mm NATO 62gr FMJ Ammo
62gr
• 3060 fps
• Self-Defense
|
62gr | 3060 | 1289 | .274 | Self-Defense | $1.03/rd |
|
PMC X-Tac 5.56x45mm NATO 55gr M193 FMJBT Ammo
55gr
• 3270 fps
• Target & Range
|
55gr | 3270 | 1306 | .243 | Target & Range | $0.42/rd |
|
PMC X-Tac 5.56x45mm NATO 62gr LAP (M855) Green Tip Ammo
62gr
• 2920 fps
• Self-Defense
|
62gr | 2920 | 1174 | .243 | Self-Defense | $0.48/rd |
|
Winchester 5.56x45mm 62gr M855 FMJLC Ammo
62gr
• 3060 fps
• Self-Defense
|
62gr | 3060 | 1289 | .349 | Self-Defense | $0.59/rd |
|
Winchester 5.56x45mm NATO 55gr FMJ Ammo - 1000 Round Box
55gr
• 3180 fps
• Target & Range
|
55gr | 3180 | 1235 | .246 | Target & Range | $0.53/rd |
|
Winchester White Box 5.56mm 55gr M193 Ammo
55gr
• 3180 fps
• Target & Range
|
55gr | 3180 | 1235 | .246 | Target & Range | $0.52/rd |
5.56x45mm NATO Trajectory Calculator
Calculate drop, velocity, and energy at any range
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Minimal recoil for quick follow-up shots
- Excellent accuracy potential
- Light weight allows carrying more ammunition
- Wide variety of ammunition available
- Affordable training ammunition
Cons
- Limited for larger game hunting
- Wind-sensitive at longer ranges
- Less barrier penetration than larger calibers
- Terminal performance highly dependent on bullet selection
- Maximum effective range limitations