AR-15 (5.56 NATO)
General-purpose rifle · Home defense · Range and competition
| Manufacturer | Various |
|---|---|
| Category | Rifles |
| Caliber | 5.56 NATO / .223 Remington |
| Action | Semi-automatic (direct impingement) |
| Barrel length | 16.0 in |
| Capacity | 30+1 |
| Weight | 6.5 lb |
About the AR-15 (5.56 NATO)
The AR-15 in 5.56 NATO is the measuring stick for modern sporting rifles: a semi-automatic with a 30-round standard magazine, a chrome-lined or nitrided barrel, and a manual of arms that military and civilian training pipelines already teach. Barrels stamped 5.56 will safely fire .223 Remington, while the reverse is not always true, so read the stamp before buying ammunition. Parts interchange across hundreds of manufacturers, which keeps upgrades simple to source and repairs inexpensive to schedule. The 55- to 62-grain bullets excel inside 300 yards and remain effective farther with the right load.
Best ammo for the AR-15 (5.56 NATO)
Live picks from Top Ammo Supply — in-stock 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington ammunition, sorted by price per round. Prices and stock refresh throughout the day.
5.56 NATO training & range ammo
Full metal jacket and lead loads — the cheapest way to train.
PMCPMC 5.56 AMMO (M193) 55GR FMJ 840RD CAN ON BANDOLIERS 840rd$489.89$0.583/rdPMCPMC 5.56 AMMO (M193) 55GR FMJ 840RD CAN ON BANDOLIERS 140rd$86.39$0.617/rdFull selection: Browse all 5.56 NATO ammunition at Top Ammo Supply →
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Related firearms
Specifications are approximate and can vary by variant and production year. Verify with the manufacturer before purchase. Ammunition purchase and shipping restrictions vary by jurisdiction — Top Ammo Supply enforces shipping rules at checkout.