CaliberAtlas › Compare › .223 Rem. vs 5.56×45mm NATO

.223 Rem. vs 5.56×45mm NATO — Ballistics Compared

5.56×45mm NATO shoots flatter with these representative loads: 58.1" vs 59.5" of drop at 500 yards. 5.56×45mm NATO carries more energy downrange: 334 vs 238 ft-lb retained at 500 yards. 5.56×45mm NATO drifts less in a 10 mph crosswind: 35" vs 43.1" at 500 yards.

Figures use each cartridge's representative factory load, computed with our validated G1 model at standard conditions. Full tables and every load are on the cartridge pages: .223 Rem. ballistics · 5.56×45mm NATO ballistics.

Pick 5.56×45mm NATO if…

you want the flatter trajectory (58.1" vs 59.5" at 500 yd)
you want more retained energy at distance (334 vs 238 ft-lb at 500 yd)

Side-by-Side Specifications

	.223 Rem.	5.56×45mm NATO
Representative load	55gr Federal Power-Shok	62gr Hornady Hornady BLACK FMJ
Muzzle velocity	3240 fps	3060 fps
Muzzle energy	1282 ft-lb	1289 ft-lb
G1 BC	0.222	0.274
Case length	45 mm	45 mm
Overall length	58 mm	58 mm
Common twist	1:8"	1:7"

Drop Comparison (inches)

	.223 Rem.	5.56×45mm NATO
100 yd	0"	0"
200 yd	-3"	-3.3"
300 yd	-12.1"	-12.6"
400 yd	-29.7"	-30"
500 yd	-59.5"	-58.1"

Retained Energy (ft-lb)

	.223 Rem.	5.56×45mm NATO
100 yd	958 ft-lb	1012 ft-lb
200 yd	702 ft-lb	785 ft-lb
300 yd	504 ft-lb	602 ft-lb
400 yd	352 ft-lb	453 ft-lb
500 yd	238 ft-lb	334 ft-lb

Wind Drift — 10 mph Full-Value (inches)

	.223 Rem.	5.56×45mm NATO
100 yd	1.3"	1.1"
200 yd	5.3"	4.7"
300 yd	13"	11"
400 yd	25.1"	20.8"
500 yd	43.1"	35"

Hunting Energy References

.223 Rem.: Retains about 1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized energy reference) to roughly 85 yd. Does not reach the ~1,500 ft-lb elk-sized energy reference in the listed data.

5.56×45mm NATO: Retains about 1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized energy reference) to roughly 105 yd. Does not reach the ~1,500 ft-lb elk-sized energy reference in the listed data.

A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.

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