Who Makes 5.56 Ammo?

Who Makes 5.56 Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes 5.56 ammo today. Currently, the 5.56 is one of the most popular rifle cartridges in circulation. The round is employed in a variety of platforms by private citizens and professional end users for a wide variety of use cases. Today we are going to delve into a brief overview of the cartridge while covering different producers of 5.56 ammunition and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about who makes 5.56 ammo.

What is 5.56?

The 5.56 is an iconic caliber which is currently utilized by military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters. Formally known as the 5.56, the cartridge’s roots can be traced to the .223 Remington cartridge, a popular smallbore sporting cartridge. Initially, development for the cartridge began in the United States in 1957 alongside efforts to develop a smallbore, high velocity firearm. This led to the introduction of the AR-15 and subsequent M-16 series of rifles. Development led to the adoption of the adoption of “Cartridge, 5.56mm Ball, M193” in 1963. After further development and proving itself in the Vietnam War and subsequent conflicts, NATO standardization of the round came in 1980.

What Firearms Use 5.56?

An overwhelming majority of the firearms on the market chambered in 5.56 will be of the semi-automatic variety. These firearms are most commonly available in the form of AR-15s which are available in various configurations such as pistols and rifles. Beyond AR-15s, semi-automatic versions of popular military rifles such as the Steyr AUG, CZ Bren, and FN SCARs are commonly found in the caliber. Additionally, manual action firearms such as bolt action rifles and even pump action and lever action rifles can be found chambered in 5.56. Purchase 5.56 Ammo

What is 5.56 Used For?

Shooters employ 5.56 for a wide range of use cases and purposes. Plentiful ammunition stocks and cheap 5.56 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 5.56 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 5.56 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. The 5.56 is also commonly employed in competition and match roles. These types of matches are typically in the form of multigun style matches like 2-Gun and 3-Gun. These matches often see competitors using tuned and optimized 5.56 chambered rifles in a competitive setting. 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. The 5.56 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 5.56. As always, use appropriate ammo, equipment, and practices to ensure an optimal and humane hunt.

Who Makes General Purpose 5.56 Ammo?

At this point in time, general purpose 5.56 ammunition is produced by a wide range of companies. Notably, many loadings are produced by companies across the globe which manufacture loadings for military use. This is to say that these offerings are typically made to stringent standards in accredited facilities. These loadings will generally feature full metal jacket, or FMJ type projectiles. Loadings of this type can be had in the form of military spec offerings such as M193 and M855/SS109 loadings in addition to other commercial offerings. Companies such as Winchester, Turan, PMC, GGG, and PPU produce 5.56 ammo.

Who Makes 5.56 Defensive Ammo?

Beyond general-purpose loadings, there are a number of companies who produce 5.56 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 Fort Scott Munitions, Hornady, Black Hills, and Speer produce defensive 5.56 ammo offerings.

Who Makes 5.56 Specialty Loadings?

Specialty 5.56 ammo is produced by a number of companies for various purposes. Shooters utilize specialty 5.56 ammo for many 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 Vairog, Barnes, Winchester, and PMC to name a few. Purchase 5.56 Ammo

Is 5.56 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, traditional FMJ loadings intended for practice are going to cost less than their solid copper counterparts designed for defense. 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 5.56 loadings are going to be affordable and economically priced while others are going to be more expensive, especially if they are specialty products.

Is 5.56 Ammo Easy to Find?

At this point in time, 5.56 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. Additionally, many 5.56 offerings are loaded to military specs such as M193 and M855. Typically, one can purchase 5.56 ammunition in various quantities. These quantities range from individual box offerings to bulk ammo offerings. Bulk 5.56 ammo offerings can be found in the form of battle packs, ammo cans, and case quantities. Some 5.56 ammunition is even available on stripper clips, allowing an end user to quickly load magazines. Loadings for 5.56 are commonly found at most places where ammunition is sold. Additionally, if one elects to shop for ammo online, their 5.56 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 5.56 ammo.

Conclusion

All in all, the 5.56 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 5.56 for sale in addition to the rest of our ammunition inventory. Beyond 5.56 ammo, we also offer loadings for popular calibers such as 9mm, 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 5.56 ammo or purchase bulk ammo of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.