5.56 Ammo

The mainstay of the US military and many American allies around the globe, the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge is also widely liked by civilian gun owners for its superb medium-range performance and low recoil. 5.56 NATO ammo is closely associated with the AR-15 platform, and the vast majority of AR-15s are designed to fire both .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition. Note that not all rifles (especially those that are not AR-15s) chambered in .223 Rem will safely fire 5.56x45 cartridges!

5.56 NATO ammo used at the range mostly comes in two varieties: M193 and M855. M193 is the ""original"" mil-spec 5.56 NATO load and fires a 55 grain full metal jacket bullet at a muzzle velocity of around 3,240 feet per second. M855 ammo is the newer standard; it fires a heavier 62 grain projectile at 3,100 feet per second. Most hollow point and soft point loads used for defense and hunting have similar external ballistics to one of these two range loads; this commonality makes life a lot easier for those who use optics on their rifles!

Some 5.56 NATO ammunition is designated as "Lake City" ammo, meaning it is made at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. Ammo from LCAAP is widely sought after due to its consistent quality and military pedigree; it is made by Federal Premium Ammunition, the defense contractor that operates the facility.