![]() Since it’s a smaller round, requiring less material to construct its bullets and a smaller powder charge to launch it, it was also less expensive-particularly compared to its. Given numerous post-World War II studies showed proximity to the enemy and volume of fire were keys to winning a firefight, the. Therefore, a soldier could carry more on his person, and the logistic corps could fit more rounds per truckload. What made the 5.56 NATO so appealing for warfare were two main factors: weight and cost.Ī single round of 5.56 NATO weighs substantially less than a single round of 7.62. Outside of dry times like 2020, 5.56 is typically abundant and low cost.Įventually, the AR-15 (M16 when adopted by the military) and 5.56 NATO became the choice. Lackluster performance against North Vietnamese’s AK-47s sealed the rifle’s and cartridge’s fate, as politicos and the Pentagon went searching for a lighter, intermediate option that mirrored its adversary’s weapon. ![]() The knives had been out for the service rifle America entered the war with-the M14, chambered in. ![]() The 5.56 NATO origin story runs through the turbulent 1960s and the Vietnam War. But each was dialed in for much different operational settings, and thus excel in different areas. Both were tailored for military service, and used the Soviets’ 7.62×39mm cartridge as their measuring stick. This is especially true when it comes to the 5.56 NATO and 300 Blackout. Most times, the history of a cartridge’s development sheds light on its particular aptitudes, given they were tinkered to specific performance specifications. There are few dividing lines quite as bright as the one drawn between the two most popular AR cartridges on the market. 300 Blackout is the second-most popular AR chambering of all time and arguably earned consumer shooters’ respect quicker than even the old standby AR cartridge.įor those who don’t already have both in their gun locker, the 300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO question is pertinent. 30-caliber cartridge’s popularity and stability are impressive, especially for an AR option dubbed by many naysayers as a “flash in the pan” from the start. AR-smiths across the board offer the latter, not so the former. Most have proven mere pestering flies to the king, but not the 300 Blackout.Īdmittedly, Blackout-formally known as the 300 ACC Blackout-is still very much a niche chambering compared to the 5.56 NATO. military more than one contender has attempted to knock it off its throne. As it goes, success breeds competition, and since its adoption by the U.S. Its fortunes tied to America’s most popular rifle-the AR-15-the small-bore thunderbolt has become among the most shot centerfire cartridges in the world. 30-caliber is hands down the more suppressible of the two, with ample subsonic loads available.īy now, most everybody knows the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. 300 Blackout is less finicky about barrel length and is excellent out of SBRs.22-caliber also performs better out a longer barrel. Thanks to its higher velocities, the 5.56 is much more adept at longer ranges. ![]()
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