It seems like lately, we are hearing a lot about AR's
, AR components, and AR ammo. I'll tell you why they're everywhere, it's an election year. It's always a hot topic, and there's nothing different about this year than any other election year as far as AR's go. So enjoy all of the attention that America's Rifle is getting right now, and moreover, enjoy the sales on AR's and ammo that this is generating! I usually don't do flat-out pros and cons articles, but this time around I am. The reason is that we're going to talk about AR-15
ammo; yep, all of it. I am going to cut out the fluff and give you the straight facts as I know them. This isn't so much an article about which is better, and is more about all of the different kinds of AR ammo. Anyways, there is an easy answer to what ammo is best for AR-15
; the best ammo for an AR-15
depends on what caliber the AR-15
has been chambered in :) So here we go:

.223 REMINGTON

PROS:
  • Great selection of powder loadings available, from 36gr. to 90gr.VLD
  • Popularity means there is a great supply of magazines, ammunition, parts, and accessories readily available.
  • Reloading is easy and produces pretty accurate rounds
  • Excellent Accuracy
  • Low Recoil
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
CONS:
  • Sensitive to the rifling twist
  • Not a recommended round for big game hunting
  • Lower energy could mean less penetration
  • Can be affected by wind
  • Low mass and smaller diameter results in less knockdown power at longer ranges


Red Army Standard .223 Remington 55gr FMJ Ammunition

5.56 NATO

PROS
  • Fast and light
  • Low recoil
  • Most rifles chambered in 5.56 are more compact
  • 100 rounds of 5.56 with 55gr. ammo weighs only 2.6lbs.
  • Highly accurate due to low recoil, easy to keep on target
  • Very light round gives assault rifles controllable firepower
  • Easy to fire in full auto due to very light recoil
  • Efficient on the battlefield
CONS
  • Not great in an SBR
  • 1st round penetration usually wounds, takes two to three rounds to stop the threat


PMC X-Tac 5.56 62gr Green-Tipped Ammunition

300 BLACKOUT

PROS
  • Great round for SBR's, as it doesn't lose a lot of velocity when used in shorter barrels
  • Subsonic loads are a lot more friendly to the ears
  • Great round to use with suppressors
  • If used for home defense, not likely to over-penetrate
  • Hard-hitting round with reliable knockdown power
  • Reloaders love it
  • Low Recoil
  • Great for varmints and mid-sized game
  • Terminal velocity
CONS
  • Not great for long-range. Developed for sub 200yrd. range
  • Expensive
  • Sometimes hard to find


Sig Sauer Elite Performance .300 Blackout 125gr FMJ Ammunition

6.5 Grendel

PROS
  • Excellent accuracy
  • Very little velocity drop to terminal range
  • Good energy at the target
  • Low recoil
  • Big bang in a petite package
  • Less wind interference in flight
  • Growing in popularity
  • Becoming easier to find
  • Reviews on the ammo have been consistently positive
CONS
  • Hard to find reliable magazines for this ammo
  • Dies and parts are expensive
  • Peak performance is usually achieved in a longer barrel (20"). Longer barrels defeat the purpose of more compact AR platforms.
  • Not only needs a barrel, but also a bolt to adapt a 5.56mm rifle to it.


204 RUGER

PROS
  • Very accurate
  • Easy on the ears
  • Very low recoil
  • Shoots flat to 300 yards
  • Still terminal at 400 yards
  • On target faster and straighter
  • Retains energy
  • 4000 fps
  • Many five star reviews
CONS
  • Not intended for larger game
  • Ammo, brass, bullets a little more expensive than most AR ammo
  • Small rounds could be affected by wind (its speed usually negates the wind effects, however)
  • Very specialized AR platform
  • Some ranges will not allow


Federal 204 Ruger 32gr Ammunition

6.8 SPC

Pros
  • Very Accurate
  • Two times the ballistics of a 5.56mm
  • Great stopping power
  • Performs well in SBR's
  • Accurate reloads
  • Switch magazine and an upper to make 5.56mm a 6.8SPC
CONS
  • Expensive, about a dollar per round, give or take a few pennies
  • Hard to find
  • Needs a caliber specific bolt and magazine
  • Has a little more recoil, which means slower follow-up shots
  • Not a great selection of reloading supplies


Federal Black 6.8 SPC 110gr Ammunition

458 SOCOM

PROS
  • Big bore cartridge for an AR
  • Extremely accurate out to 200 yards
  • Can achieve 1600 to 3000 ft./sec. (will be lower with heavier bullets)
  • Big game hunting
  • Immediate stopping power
  • 100gr. to Subsonic 600gr.
  • More bullet selection
  • Great with suppressors
  • Larger than 450 Bushmaster and 50 Beowulf
  • Headspaces on the shoulder
  • Can use standard GI magazines or lancers
  • Specialized upper can be mounted on any AR-15 lower to accept ammo
CONS
  • Probably need to reload, unless you can afford a couple of dollars per round
  • Brass is hard to come by
  • Sometimes you have to wait for your favorite store to carry this ammo


Buffalo Bore .458 SOCOM 350gr Jacketed Flat Point Ammunition

There are several AR-15 ammunitions out there for you to choose from depending on what your AR-15 is chambered in. Don't forget that some AR-15s can also shoot pistol ammunition, such as 9mm
, 40S&W
, and 45 Auto
. You should also select your AR-15
ammunition based on twist rate. A faster twist rate, for example, 1/7, can accommodate bullets up to 77 grains. Slower twist rates can only stabilize a lighter bullet, an example of this could be a 55gr. FMJ. For range shooting, practice, and plinking, FMJ ammunition is a good choice for your AR-15. A hollow-point may be a better selection for long-range shooting, hunting, or home and self-defense. Shop All .223 Ammunition
Shop All .233/5.56 Ammunition
Shop All .300 Blackout Ammunition
Shop All 6.5 Grendel Ammunition
Shop All 204 Ruger Ammunition
Shop All 6.8 SPC Ammunition
Shop All .458 SOCOM Ammunition
Shop All Ammunition