Cartridge profile · USA/NATO · 1963

5.56x45 NATO

U.S. and NATO service round since the M16.

Good for: Cold War & modern, Varmint today

A typical factory load is a 62 gr M855 green tip bullet at about 3,020 ft/s, with roughly 1,255 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.

Typical load

62 grM855 green tip

Muzzle speed

3,020 ft/s

Muzzle energy

1,255 ft-lbs

Typical BC (G1)

≈ 0.30typical, varies by brand

Twist rate

1:7

Point-blank range

275 yd6" vital zone

Hunting today

Varmints and coyotes; deer only with proper hunting bullets where legal.

On the Military Surplus chart

Service history

U.S. and NATO service round since the M16.Cold War & modern · Varmint today

Service rifles

M16, M4, M249

Military load

62 grM855 green tip

Typical muzzle fps

3,020ft/s

Typical muzzle energy

1,255ft-lbs

Typical BC (G1)

≈ 0.30typical, varies by brand

Twist rate for typical load

1:7

MPBR (iron sights)

275 yd6" vital zone · Near zero 17 yd · Far zero 234 yd · Min PBR 0 yd · Max PBR 275 yd · Sight-in @100 2.78" high

Hunting today

Varmints and coyotes; deer only with proper hunting bullets where legal.

Open the full Military Surplus chart →

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Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.