The 5.56 vs. 308 debate has been around for years, and it doesn’t seem like there will be an end to the argument any time soon. 5.56 is lighter than 308, but does that make 5.56 a better round? Let’s take a look at 5.56 vs. 308 rounds so you can decide which one is best for your needs!
5.56 Is Lighter Than 308, But Does That Make 5.56 A Better Round?
5.56 VS. 308 Rounds
The 5.56 NATO cartridge fires the .223 bullet at an average speed of around 3000 fps and has muzzle energy between 1189ft/lbs. to 1400 ft./lbs. with 55-grain shots (typically used in AR-15s) and 1255 ft./lb. to 1621 ft./lb. with 62-grain photos (used in M16). Meanwhile, the venerable 30 caliber magnum load shoots its 220gr slug out at speeds averaging 2600fps which yields 1525ft-lbs for the smaller projectile or 2440 ft. pounds for those using 180 gr slugs – substantially more power! And while 5.56’s 5-50gr missile has better ballistics than the .308, its lighter mass means it loses velocity quicker and cannot achieve the same range (400yds for 5.56 vs. 800 yds. with 308).
1. 5.56 NATO: 5.56 rounds are typically cheaper to manufacture due to their smaller size when compared to other rifle calibers such as 30 caliber magnum or 280 Remington (a couple of hundred dollars per thousand)
2. The 5.56mm bullet has been used by militaries worldwide since 1960 because they fit in an M16 magazine which reduces weight on each soldier – making them excellent for light infantry units carrying heavy loads over long distances!
3. 5balls 5.56 rounds are lighter and smaller than 5balls 308 rounds
4. 5.56 is better for short distances because the bullet will lose kinetic energy sooner in its flight as it loses velocity
5. 5.56 .223 ammunition is cheaper to manufacture than 5balls ammo (308)
6. Bullets fired from a 5ball rifle have more knockdown power due to their weight; this would be an excellent choice if you’re hunting deer or other big game animals that require quick kill shots
7. The muzzle velocity of 5.57x45mm NATO cartridge is around 3000 feet per second, much faster than many loads of 30-06 Springfield ammo, which typically fires at 2700fps on average
Features Of 5.56 NATO
1. 5.56 NATO is a rifle cartridge
2. It was developed in 1957, and it replaced the .30-06 round
3. It is most often used with an AR-15 or M4 carbine
4. The bullet weights 62 grains and can travel at speeds up to 3200 feet per second
5. The 5.56 NATO cartridge has less Recoil than 7mm rounds but more power than .223 rounds
6. This ammunition is not legal for hunting deer in some states because it does not meet minimum energy requirements
Pros
1. The 5.56 NATO round is lighter, which makes it easier to carry
2. The ammunition for the 5.56 NATO is less expensive than other rounds
3. It’s a good choice for hunting because of its accuracy and power
4. It has a low recoil when shot from an AR-15 rifle or carbine
5. One can fire the 5.56 NATO at distances up to 600 yards without losing too much energy or velocity
6. Chambered in most modern military rifles such as the M16A2, M4 Carbine, and the Beretta AR70/90 assault rifle
7 . It offers high stopping power due to its penetrating capabilities through ballistic barriers like walls and car doors
8 . The cartridge case is made of steel instead of brass, so it doesn’t require as much cleaning after firing (less corrosive)
9 . The bullet exits the barrel at three times faster speed than that of a 9mm pistol round
Cons
1. 5.56 NATO ammo is more expensive than other types of ammunition
2. The bullets are not as accurate and can be deflected by a light brush or a thin layer of clothing
3. It takes longer to reload because the rounds are smaller
4. The rifle’s Recoil is stronger due to the lighter weight of the bullet
5. 5.56 NATO ammo cannot be used in all rifles, which limits its use for those who have multiple guns
Features Of 308 Rifle
1. 308 rifle is a caliber of ammunition
2. It’s the most common and popular type of rifle cartridge in the world
3. The 308 Winchester was introduced in 1952, but it wasn’t until 1962 that it became commonly used by hunters
4. A .308 round has an average muzzle velocity of 2,800 feet per second with approximately 1,900-foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards
5. Rifle chambered for this ammo are often referred to as “30-aught” rifles or simply “308s.”
6. This ammunition can be fired from bolt action, semi-automatic, and fully automatic firearms
Pros
1. 308 rifle is a popular hunting rifle
2. 308 rifles have been used in wars around the world
3. 308 rifles are long-range weapons with high power and accuracy
4. The ammunition for a 308 rifle is lighter than other types of bullets, making it easier to carry more rounds on hunts
5. The Recoil from a 308 rifle can be reduced by using specialized equipment such as muzzle brakes or suppressors
6. A good quality scope can help you take accurate shots at longer distances
Cons
1. 308 rifles are often expensive
2. 308 rifles require a lot of maintenance and care
3. 308 rifle ammunition is hard to find locally but can be ordered online
4. The Recoil on a 308 rifle is more than most people can handle
5. The weight of the gun makes it difficult for women to carry around all-day
6. A 308 rifle requires a lot of training before using one in self-defense scenarios.
Can 5.56 NATO Ammo Be Used In 5.45×39 Rifles?
No, 5.56 rounds are not compatible with 5.45mm firearms like the AK-47 or SKS rifle because of different bullet dimensions and calibers (the AK uses an intermediate-sized cartridge).
How Does Recoil Differ From One .308 Calibers To Another?
The Recoil on a 308 rifle is more than most people can handle due to its weight; however, some companies make accessories that reduce the strength of the kickback when firing, such as muzzle brakes or suppressors–a good quality scope also helps by taking accurate shots at longer distances. With a lighter round (.223/556), there will be less Recoil, but it may lack accuracy and power.
What Is 5.56 NATO Ammo?
The 5.56mm NATO round, or 5.56x45mm NATO as the cartridge is formally designated, was developed alongside the FN FAL rifle in 1954 to meet US Army’s need for a small caliber high velocity (over 2700 feet per second) intermediate capacity battle rifle ammunition that would be effective against Soviet bloc armored personnel carriers (.223/556).
Why Are 5 Seconds Good When Reloading Your 308 Rifle But Bad When Firing 5.56 Rounds?
To use a magazine with cartridges of one type, you must also have magazines containing cartridges of other classes on hand because there may not always be an opportunity to switch out while shooting–this means you need to have five magazines of 5.56 rounds and five magazines of 308 rifle ammo on hand which takes up a lot more space in your bag than carrying around just one type.
What Does The 5.45×39 Ammo Do?
The 5.45mm round was first developed in 1943 as part of research by Russian designers into weapons that would be suitable for assault rifles with increased range and velocity; it can penetrate through body armor easily due to its small size (.223 caliber)
How Much Difference Is There Between 308 Winchester Ammunition And 300 Win Mag?
308 Winchester ammunition has a bullet weight of 180 grains, while the 300 Win Mag round weighs twice as much (at 577) and has more Recoil because it’s heavier.
How Many Rounds Can One 5.56 NATO Magazine Hold?
A 5.56mm NATO clip holds 30 rounds, whereas an AK-47 would only carry around 20 bullets per magazine–this means you need to have five magazines on hand, which takes up a lot more space in your bag than carrying just one type.
What Is The Difference Between 5.56 Ammo And .22 LRs?
The 5.56 cartridge (.223 caliber) was developed alongside the FN FAL rifle in 1954 for use by US Army; its smaller size makes it less accurate, but it fires faster and has a higher velocity than a 5.56 (.308 caliber) round–some drawbacks of 5.56 ammo are that you need to carry more magazines (which take up space in your bag), the lighter weight means less accuracy, power is reduced because it’s smaller, but 5.56 rounds can penetrate through targets better due to its short muzzle velocity which provides good stopping power when firing from an M16 rifle for example; bullets come out at 900-1200 rounds per minute while.22 LR rounds only fire 240-300 times per minute, so 5.56 would be better if you’re in combat situations where every shot counts
What Makes Expensive Ammunition Cost More?
Ammunition costs money depending on what type of bullet is used–this means 5.56 rounds are cheaper than .308 cartridges which can be expensive if you’re shooting an M99, for example; 5.56mm NATO is lighter and has faster muzzle velocity but less Recoil while 5.45×39 ammo has more power because of its size.