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Hornady Black 5.56x45mm NATO 62gr FMJ Ammo
5.56x45mm NATO • Hornady • Self-Defense

Hornady Black 5.56x45mm NATO 62gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics

Brass Case • FMJ

Best Price
$1.03/rd
Compare Prices →
3060
FPS
1289
FT-LBS
.274
BC (G1)
62
GRAINS
FMJ
BULLET
BRS
CASING

Trajectory @ 100yd Zero

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Muzzle Velocity
3060.0 fps
Projectile Weight
62.0 gr
Ballistic Coef.
0.274 G1
Zero Range
100.0 yards
Range Velocity Energy Drop
Muzzle 3060 fps 1289 ft-lb
25 yds 2970 fps 1215 ft-lb -0.7"
50 yds 2883 fps 1144 ft-lb -0.2"
75 yds 2798 fps 1078 ft-lb +0.0"
100 yds ⊕ 2714 fps 1014 ft-lb -0.0"
125 yds 2632 fps 954 ft-lb -0.3"
150 yds 2551 fps 896 ft-lb -1.0"
175 yds 2472 fps 841 ft-lb -1.9"
200 yds 2394 fps 789 ft-lb -3.3"
225 yds 2318 fps 740 ft-lb -5.0"
250 yds 2243 fps 692 ft-lb -7.1"
275 yds 2169 fps 648 ft-lb -9.6"
300 yds 2096 fps 605 ft-lb -12.6"
325 yds 2025 fps 565 ft-lb -16.1"
350 yds 1956 fps 527 ft-lb -20.1"
375 yds 1888 fps 491 ft-lb -24.7"
400 yds 1821 fps 457 ft-lb -29.9"
425 yds 1757 fps 425 ft-lb -35.8"
450 yds 1693 fps 395 ft-lb -42.3"
475 yds 1632 fps 367 ft-lb -49.7"
500 yds 1573 fps 340 ft-lb -57.8"

Product Overview

Hornady's Black 5.56 NATO load brings military DNA to the civilian market. Pushing a 62-grain FMJ at 3060 fps, it hits with authority – delivering 1289 ft-lbs of energy that'll make steel targets sing. That velocity puts it right in the sweet spot for duty-grade performance, while the bullet weight plays perfectly with modern barrel twist rates. Think of it as the middle child that got all the good genes.

For defensive carbine work, this load checks all the boxes without trying to reinvent the wheel. The 62-grain projectile strikes an ideal balance between barrier penetration and energy transfer, giving you confidence whether you're dealing with walls, windshields, or anything in between. It's particularly effective in SBRs and other shorter-barreled platforms where maintaining sufficient velocity can be challenging. The consistency from round to round means your zero stays put, even when the pressure's on.

This isn't boutique ammunition that'll collect dust waiting for the perfect moment – it's built for serious training. The moderate recoil impulse keeps you on target during rapid strings, while the reliable feeding geometry works across platforms from vintage A2s to modern PDWs. Save your match grade stuff for competition; this is the load you stock deep for those high-round-count training days when you need reliability without compromise. After all, the best ammunition in the world is useless if you haven't practiced with it.

Strengths
  • Optimized velocity delivers excellent accuracy without excessive pressure, protecting your rifle during intensive training
  • Smooth-feeding design promotes consistent performance during rapid strings of fire and tactical drills
  • Balanced power and precision sweet spot makes this round equally capable for paper punching or serious training
  • Functions reliably across multiple barrel lengths thanks to carefully tuned pressure curve
Limitations
  • Standard FMJ construction limits versatility compared to specialized defensive or match grade options
  • Middle-range price point may not appeal to highest-volume shooters focused purely on cost per round
  • Jack-of-all-trades design means it's not optimized for any single specific purpose

Similar Products Compared

PRODUCT PRICE/RD
$1.03
200 Rounds
$0.48
1000 Rounds
$0.59
1000 Rounds
N/A
$0.64
1000 Rounds
$0.57
1000 Rounds
$0.42
1000 Rounds

All Hornady Black 5.56x45mm NATO 62gr FMJ Ammo Prices

DEALER QTY PRICE/RD
BulkAmmo.com 200 $1.03
Ammo.com 200 $1.04
Lucky Gunner 200 $1.04
Ammo.com 20 $1.86
Lucky Gunner 20 $1.86

Price History

Average price across all tracked dealers
$4.24/rd
↑ $0.03 (0.8%) in the last 3M
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