There are so many reasons why 5.56 has been America’s standard for America’s rifle for the better part of 100 years, yet the dissenters keep on dissenting.
Common gripes are that it lacks stopping power, that it doesn’t carry enough power downrange, and that it overpenetrates at close ranges.
These complaints are not without their merits, which is why alternative cartridges like 7.62 Soviet, .300 BLK, and other cartridges are more preferable to some AR builders.
All the same, 5.56 is not going away anytime soon. There are just as many reasons to love it as hate it (and many more). Here are some of the reasons you might want to pick up a 5.56 upper for your next AR build.
The Cartridge Itself Is Light and Compact
Among the biggest selling points of 5.56 is that it is a small, short, lightweight cartridge that is quite compact as well.
Consequently, you can carry hundreds if not thousands of rounds with minimal fatigue, and in less space than other large cartridges like 7.62.
You can also carry loaded mags more efficiently since they are lighter and more compact.
Low Recoil
As rifle cartridges go, 5.56 NATO produces some of the lowest recoil in the ring. This makes it highly attractive to beginners as well as smaller-framed shooters.
Even without a muzzle brake, 5.56 (and .223 for that matter) produces very little recoil, which means that even the lightest shooters can shoot all day long with minimal fatigue.
Because of its low recoil it also can help shooters break the bad habits of flinching and jerking the trigger, among others.
Long Distance Efficiency
For all its lack of stopping power, one good thing about 5.56 is that it is a very flat shooter that doesn’t drop fast.
This means that, for the purpose of long-range target shooting, it’s definitely a strong contender. And it’s low-cost, which makes it even more attractive.
There are other faster, flatter cartridges, but as a general rule you will way a lot more for them. As a “stock” cartridge, 5.56 is a pretty solid option for long-range shooting that is useful for many other disciplines as well.
Suitability for Hunting
To be straight, there are game that you should not pursue with 5.56, period, because it’s not an ethical option.
At the same time, 5.56 is among the best of all cartridges for dispatching predators like coyotes and foxes, even at pretty long ranges. It can also be used to take any other small or medium game. It’s overkill for some small game, it has a really good sweet spot in the middle ground.
Which is simply to suggest that 5.56 NATO has some sporting applications as well.
Suitability for Training, High-Volume Shooting and Competition
Speaking of sporting applications, the low cost and low recoil of 5.56 NATO make it highly attractive for sports shooting, including but not limited to training, drilling, general high-volume target shooting at the range, as well as for competition, at intermediate ranges as well as in 3-gun competition.
High Availability
The 5.56 NATO cartridge has been loaded for the United States military for over 50 years and it is not going away anytime soon. At least that is highly unlikely. As long as the military uses the M16 and M4, we’re going to have plenty, that is, tons and tons, of 5.56 available on the civilian market.
Much of what is sold, although not all of it, is surplus production. And there are so many rifles that have been built around 5.56 (and .223) that production by the major ammunition manufacturers is going to continue en masse for the foreseeable future.
Availability of Platforms and Parts
As stated, countless rifles have been built around the 5.56 NATO over the years. You will have no shortage of your picks in bolt action, semi-auto, and even lever action platforms.
And, because so many rifles have been built for it, there are tons of parts available for those platforms as well, so you can take your pick of upgrades and more.
Affordability
Because there are so many producers of 5.56, and because the military orders it contractually, prices are low. They’re low enough even in small quantities, but you can buy bulk deals or even order surplus 5.56 and drive down per-round costs even farther.
Old Habits Die Hard
Lastly, 5.56 is popular just because it’s a staple. There are going to be people that buy or build 5.56 ARs just because that’s what you do. And there’s something to be said for that. The 5.56 has staying power. It is what it is.
Start Your Next Build with a 5.56 Upper
If you’re considering building your next sporting rifle with a 5.56 upper, check out our full collection of assembled uppers and get in touch with us if you have any questions. We are more than happy to help.