Every week at True Shot Ammo we watch new AR owners drop $800 on a rifle and then grab whatever “green tip” is on sale — only to come back complaining about accuracy, over-gassing, or blown primers. After shipping tens of millions of 5.56 and .223 rounds, here’s the exact decision tree experienced shooters actually use in 2025.
The Only 4 Questions That Matter
- What is my barrel twist rate?
- What am I actually doing with the rifle?
- Do I care about barrel life or terminal performance more?
- What’s my budget per trigger pull?
Answer those honestly and the “best” ammo picks itself.
Barrel Twist Rate Cheat Sheet (Most Important Factor)
| Twist Rate | Best Bullet Weights | Examples That Actually Stabilize |
|---|---|---|
| 1:12 or slower | 40–55 gr | Almost no modern ARs |
| 1:9 | 55–69 gr | M193, M855, 62 gr FMJ |
| 1:8 | 55–77 gr | The “do-all” twist — most rifles have now |
| 1:7 | 62–77 gr (military spec) | M855A1, 77 gr OTM, MK262 |
Check your barrel stamp or manufacturer specs. Wrong twist = keyholing at 50 yards and wasted money.
Ammo Recommendations by Mission (What We Ship the Most Of)
| Use Case | Top Performers (All In Stock Daily) | Price Range | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plinking / Training | 55 gr FMJ – PMC Bronze, American Eagle, Winchester USA | $0.38–$0.45/rd | Bulk 5.56/.223 FMJ → |
| Home Defense / Duty | 75–77 gr OTM – Black Hills MK262, Federal Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing, 77 gr OTM | $0.90–$1.30/rd | 77 gr Defense Loads → |
| Hunting (Deer/Hog <200 yd) | 62 gr Fusion MSR, 75 gr Hornady Black, Federal Terminal Ascent 62 gr | $1.10–$1.60/rd | Hunting 5.56 → |
| Precision / Long Range | 69 gr or 77 gr Sierra MatchKing – Federal GMM, Black Hills, Prime 77 gr Sierra | $1.20–$1.80/rd | Match-Grade 5.56 → |
| Suppressed / Short Barrel | 55–62 gr lighter bullets + low-flash powder – 5.56 62 gr, Discreet Ballistics 75 gr subsonic | $0.60–$1.20/rd | Suppressed Loads → |
5.56 vs .223 Remington — Stop Overthinking It
- All modern ARs are rated for both
- 5.56 NATO runs 8–12k psi hotter — fine in .223 Wylde or 5.56 chambers
- .223 Rem in a true 5.56 chamber = slightly less accuracy, no danger Buy whichever is cheaper unless you’re shooting a bolt gun or old mini-14.
Avoid These Overhyped or Overpriced Rounds
- M855 “green tip” in 1:9 or slower twists → keyholes past 100 yds
- Steel-case (Tula/Wolf) in hot 11.5" barrels → blown primers and cracked bolts
- Anything labeled “M855A1” for civilians → it’s not the real EPR round and costs $2/rd for no gain
Quick-Start Buying Guide
- New shooter / first case → 1,000 rounds PMC 55 gr FMJ
- Home-defense rifle → 200–400 rounds of 75/77 gr OTM
- Hunter → one case of 62 gr Fusion MSR
- Competitor → Federal Gold Medal 69/77 gr by the case when it’s on sale
Ready to stop guessing and start shooting the right stuff? True Shot has every load on this list in stock 24/7 at the lowest prices online — bulk cases, stripped primers, or match-grade precision. Click what your barrel actually likes and we’ll have it at your door in days.
