Who Makes .223 Ammo?

Who Makes .223 Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes .223 ammo today. Currently, the .223 is one of the most popular rifle cartridges in circulation. The round is employed by various end users for purposes of all types. Today we are going to delve into a brief overview of the cartridge while covering different producers of .223 ammunition and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about who makes .223 ammo.

What is .223?

The .223 Remington is an intermediate rifle cartridge developed by Remington and Fairchild Industries in 1957. Development of the cartridge was spurred by a governmental request for the design of a cartridge for use with a new lightweight military rifle. The result of this development would be a high velocity smallbore rifle cartridge. The .223 Remington saw commercial success among shooters and was adopted by the American military in 1963 as “Cartridge, 5.56mm Ball, M193.” After proving itself and undergoing further development, the .223 Remington paved the way for the 1980 NATO adoption of the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. The .223 Remington features a light recoil impulse and high muzzle velocities. The light recoil of the cartridge allows the round to be utilized by shooters of all types. Novice shooters can learn to properly employ the cartridge without contending with staunch recoil while experienced shooters can take advantage of its light recoil. This light recoil aids the shooter in performing rapid follow up shots and maintaining a proper sight picture. The high velocity of the cartridge also aids in maintaining a flat trajectory and increasing the effective range of the round. Presently, the .223 Remington is one of the most common centerfire rifle cartridges one will encounter. The cartridge is easily accessible and well-suited to shooters of all types. Additionally, firearms and ammunition offerings for the caliber are diverse and well-supported by the industry. In today’s market, most shooters’ first centerfire rifle will be one that accommodates .223 Remington ammunition. Plinking, training, hunting, defensive use, duty use, and competition are all appropriate use cases for .223 Remington ammo. Simply put, the cartridge is incredibly versatile and viable for a variety of roles.

What Firearms Use .223 Ammo?

An overwhelming majority of the firearms on the market specifically marked as .223 chambered will be of the bolt action variety. Of course, one can utilize .223 ammo in a firearm that is chambered in 5.56. This is due to the fact that 5.56 firearms can withstand higher pressure 5.56 ammo and lower pressure .223 loadings. This allows shooters to utilize popular firearms such as AR-15s and other firearms chambered in 5.56 with .223 ammunition. Purchase .223 Ammo

What is .223 Ammo Used For?

Shooters employ .223 for a wide range of use cases and purposes. Plentiful ammunition stocks and cheap .223 ammo make the cartridge well-suited to plinking and training. Simply put, common and affordable ammunition is conducive to many well-spent days at the range. Shooters can easily employ the .223 recreationally or to help develop their skills. The cartridge is often utilized in defensive roles and for duty use. At this point in time, many .223 loadings can be found in forms optimized for defensive and duty roles. These loadings take advantage of the high velocity of the cartridge and are generally designed to stop and expand within a target upon impact. Many of these loadings also are designed to minimize the potential for overpenetration. The light recoil, accuracy, and controllability of the round makes it well-suited to defensive and duty use. Shooters also employ .223 ammo in competition and match settings. Matches of this type are typically in the form of multigun style matches such as 2-Gun and 3-Gun. These matches often see competitors using tuned and optimized 5.56 chambered rifles in a competitive setting. Rifles of this type are typically of the AR-15 variety. Depending on the specific type of match, shooters can employ anything from standard ball ammo to specialized competition loadings. Many hunters also employ the cartridge in hunting applications. Hunters have found that .223 ammo is capable of dispatching various game with the right loads. Game such as coyote, feral hogs and even white-tailed deer can be taken with .223. As always, use appropriate ammo, equipment, and practices to ensure an optimal and humane hunt.

Who Makes General Purpose .223 Ammo?

At this point in time, general purpose .223 ammunition is produced by a wide range of companies. Both large scale and small ammunition companies produce .223 ammo. These manufacturers hail from various countries across the globe, a testament to the widespread popularity of the cartridge in various markets. These offerings are typically made to stringent standards and manufactured in accredited facilities. These loadings will generally feature full metal jacket, or FMJ type projectiles. PMC, Igman, Federal, Hornady, and STV are just a few of the producers of general purpose .223 ammo.

Who Makes .223 Defensive Ammo?

Beyond general-purpose loadings, there are a number of companies who produce .223 defensive ammo. These loadings are optimized for self-defense use and are designed to stop threats and minimize potential collateral damage and overpenetration. Loadings of this type depart from traditional FMJ projectiles and feature projectiles which are purpose-built for defensive use. Projectiles are typically going to be in the form of hollow points or other bullets conducive to self-defense. These types of loadings prioritize terminal ballistic performance, often featuring projectiles conducive to expanding within the target. Companies such as Underwood, Hornady, Black Hills, and Speer produce .223 ammo suitable for defense.

Who Makes .223 Specialty Loadings?

Specialty .223 ammo is produced by a number of companies for various purposes. Shooters utilize specialty .223 ammunition for use cases such as training, hunting, suppressed shooting, and precision shooting. These types of loadings are available in various grain weights and with purpose-built projectiles suitable for specialized tasks. For example, solid copper frangible loadings are well-suited for training and utilizing steel targets at close ranges. These types of projectiles can range from solid copper, V-MAX, open tip match (OTM), and Sierra bullets. Loadings of this type are produced by companies such as Sierra, Barnes, Corbon, and PMC to name a few. Purchase .223 Ammo

Is .223 Ammo Expensive?

Generally speaking, like most calibers and ammo offerings, price is contingent upon the specifics of a given loading. It is also worth noting that cost of materials and labor come into play when it comes to ammunition as well. This is why general-purpose loadings tend to be cheap and affordable while more specialized offerings tend to demand higher prices. For example, a standard 55 grain FMJ offering will almost always be cheaper than a 77 grain OTM offering will be. Of course, one can save on ammo when purchasing bulk quantities as there is usually a price break at the case level. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that prices are often subject to change and fluctuation factors such as supply and demand come into play. All in all, some .223 loadings are going to be affordable and economically priced while others are going to be more expensive, especially if they are specialty products.

Is .223 Ammo Easy to Find?

At this point in time, .223 ammunition is very prevalent on the market in a variety of forms. The cartridge is one of the most common rifle cartridges found on the market. This is due to its widespread support and use around the globe. Loadings are available in many forms such as full metal jacket (FMJ) range loadings and specialized loads for specific use cases such as suppressed shooting and hunting. Loadings can generally be found in various styles in the 55 gr to 77 gr range. Typically, one can purchase .223 ammo in various quantities. Quantities from individual box offerings to bulk ammo offerings. Bulk .223 ammo offerings can be found in the form of battle packs, ammo cans, and case quantities. These bulk ammo offerings allow users to quickly build up their stock of .223 ammo in various increments. Loadings for .223 are commonly found at most places where ammunition is sold. Additionally, if one elects to shop for ammo online, their .223 ammo options become even broader. This can come in handy if one is looking for a specific loading for specialized use cases such as hunting or precision shooting. Simply put, one will have no issue finding .223 ammo.

Conclusion

All in all, the .223 cartridge is well-supported by the industry with offerings being produced by a staggering number of companies. With loadings tailored for a variety of use cases ranging from recreation to defense and other specialized roles, shooters can truly find a loading best for their intended use. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of .223 for sale in addition to the rest of our ammunition inventory. Beyond .223 ammo, we also offer loadings for popular calibers such as 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 Long Rifle to name a few. Put plainly, we carry a wide range of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammunition optimal for shooters of all types. Whether you want to buy .223 ammo or purchase bulk ammo of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.