What Can the AR 15 Shoot?

If you look at the side of your AR-15's lower receiver, it likely says something like Multi-Cal. What exactly does that mean? Well, the AR-15 may have started its life as a small-bore rifle chambered in one caliber, but the popularity of the rifle has ensured it now comes in more flavors than Ben and Jerry's. Let's look at some of the most popular calibers the AR-15 now finds itself in.  

223/5.56 NATO

The AR-15 started life as a rifle chambered in 223 Remington
, and later for a military spec, it became a 5.56 NATO
rifle. This is still the most popular AR-15, chambered with the most magazines, accessories, and parts available for it. If you are buying your first AR-15, this is the caliber I'd suggest.

PMC X-Tac 5.56 62gr Green-Tipped Ammunition

300 Blackout

300 Blackout
is one of the new dogs on the block, but the caliber has gained steam very fast. The 300 Blackout
round is designed for shorter barreled AR-15s and can achieve maximum velocity from a 9-inch barrel. The 30 caliber projectile also allows for heavier projectiles and subsonic loadings that make this caliber a natural for suppressors.

Sig Sauer Elite Performance .300 Blackout 125gr FMJ Ammunition

7.62 x 39

This classic AK round found its way into the AR-15 platform. This short-range powerhouse is an excellent cartridge, and over time the industry has made AR-15s in 7.62x39
work, and works well. This does require a weird magazine due to the cartridge design, but it gives AR owners a cheaper and affordable round with excellent power.

Wolf Performance 7.62x39 122gr FMJ Ammunition

9mm

The world's most popular pistol cartridge is also a popular choice for the AR-15. The vast majority of these systems utilize a blowback method of operation rather than a direct impingement model. 9mm
variants give you ultra-cheap ammo, low recoil, and you can share ammo with your handgun.

PMC Bronze 9mm 115gr Jacketed Hollow Point Ammunition

22 Long Rifle

22 Long Rifle
is the cheapest ammo on the market, and two methods exist to shoot 22 LR
from an AR. The first is a purpose-built rimfire round like the S&W M&P rimfire. The second is a conversion like the CMMG kit that allows any 5.56 AR 15 to fire 22 LR
. Either way, you get the cheapest ammo and the lowest recoil and a great way to train.

CMMMG 5.56 To .22 LR Conversion Kit

458 SOCOM

The 458 Socom
is a beastly round that was designed with one-shot stops in mind for troops fighting in the caves of Afghanistan. The round was never adopted by SOCOM, but the name stuck, and the round gained popularity because it fits in a standard AR-15, and uses the same AR-15 magazine. Although your capacity is shrunk to about ten rounds, this powerhouse of a round is perfect for big game hunting at closer ranges.

Buffalo Bore .458 SOCOM 350gr Jacketed Flat Point Ammunition

50 Beowulf

Like the 458 SOCOM
, the 50 Beowulf
is a massive cartridge that found a way to fit in a standard AR-15 lower and in standard AR-15 magazines. The 50 Beowulf
is the current largest AR-15 cartridge, and is a powerhouse of a round. It's gained a lot of traction as a brush hunting cartridge for bear, deer, moose, and hogs. It's an expensive round, but it's hard not to love such a powerful cartridge.

Alexander Firearms 50 Beowulf 400gr Flat Point Ammunition

The AR Life

From the diminutive 22LR
to the mighty 50 Beowulf
, there is something for everyone in the AR-15 world. The rifle is, without a doubt, the most customizable rifle on the market, and choosing your caliber is just one small part in choosing your rifle, pistol, or SBR. However, it just might be the most important option to consider. Shop All .223/5.56 Ammunition
Shop All .300 Blackout Ammunition
Shop All 7.62x39 Ammunition
Shop All 9mm Ammunition
Shop All .22LR Ammunition
Shop All .458 SOCOM Ammunition
Shop All .50 Beowulf Ammunition
Shop All In Stock Ammunition
Shop All AR-15 Style Rifles