Ruger AR-556
First AR-15 purchase · Home range rifle · Free-float handguard upgrades
| Manufacturer | Ruger |
|---|---|
| Category | Rifles |
| Caliber | 5.56 NATO / .223 Remington |
| Action | Semi-automatic (direct impingement) |
| Barrel length | 16.1 in |
| Capacity | 30+1 |
| Weight | 6.7 lb |
| Introduced | 2014 |
About the Ruger AR-556
The Ruger AR-556 departs from most budget ARs by pinning a low-profile gas block to a 16.1-inch barrel with a 1:8 twist, rather than shipping a front sight base that limits handguard choices. The mid-length gas system takes a bit of felt recoil out of the impulse compared with carbine-length setups, and the six-position stock fits different body types. Ruger builds the receivers and furniture in-house, includes a rear flip sight, and ships the rifle with a 30-round magazine. It sits below the piston-driven SR-556 line and frequently serves as a first AR purchase.
Best ammo for the Ruger AR-556
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.