7.62x39 vs 5.56x45 NATO
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the 5.56x45 NATO is about 670 ft/s faster at the muzzle (2,350 vs 3,020 ft/s).
The 7.62x39 carries about 20% more energy at the muzzle (1,508 vs 1,255 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
On the same size target, the 5.56x45 NATO has the longer point-blank range (275 yd), so you can hold dead-on a bit farther without adjusting.
Side by side
| 7.62x39 | 5.56x45 NATO | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | The AK round in an AR. Cheap steel-case ammo; good for hogs and deer in brush. | U.S. and NATO service round since the M16. |
| Typical load | 123 grsoft point · 16" barrel | 62 grM855 green tip |
| Muzzle speed | 2,350 ft/s | 3,020 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 1,508 ft-lbs | 1,255 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.28typical, varies by brand | ≈ 0.30typical, varies by brand |
| Twist rate | 1:10 | 1:7 |
| Practical range | 200 yd | — |
| Point-blank range | 215 yd6" vital zone | 275 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Yes: hogs and deer inside 150–200 yd with soft points. | Varmints and coyotes; deer only with proper hunting bullets where legal. |
Which one fits you?
7.62x39: The AK round in an AR. Cheap steel-case ammo; good for hogs and deer in brush.
5.56x45 NATO: U.S. and NATO service round since the M16.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
- 7.62x39 profile
- 5.56x45 NATO profile
- .300 Blackout vs 5.56x45 NATO
- .223 Remington vs 5.56x45 NATO
- All comparisons
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.