5.56 NATO was developed to replace the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge, which had been in service since 1954. Servicemen found that the recoil power of 7.62 NATO made it impossible to control for light service rifles firing at full auto. It wasn't until 1963 that 5.56 NATO, a slightly modified form of the .223 Remington cartridge, was adopted as the standard issue ammo for NATO militaries. 5.56 NATO ammo remains in use to this day, typically paired with AR-15 rifles.
Looking for cartridges in a different caliber than our 5.56 ammo for sale? We have a vast variety of ammo for sale. You'll find everything from vintage trade-in ammo to shotgun shells. Restock on ammo today with Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.
Since 2007, Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore has been the go-to source for ammo, accessories, and guns for sale. We're proud to be a gun store where a shooter can find everything they need, regardless of their background. Whether you're restocking on 5.56 NATO ammo or looking for handguns for sale, you'll find it in our collection at competitive prices.
All orders ship nationwide, with free shipping offered to customers living in the Lower 48. To ensure you never have to worry about surprise backorders, we exclusively offer weapons we have in stock and ready to ship. If you ever do run into problems, we have an in-house customer service team that's happy to help. Order today!
While it is possible, we don't recommend firing 5.56 NATO rounds from a gun built for .223 Remington. Despite being the same dimensions, 5.56 NATO generates more pressure than .223 Remington. If the gun isn't chambered for that pressure, it can cause serious damage. However, you can fire .223 Remington rounds from a gun chambered for 5.56 NATO.
Yes, civilians can buy our 5.56 NATO ammunition. While the round was originally designed for military use, there are no legal restrictions for 5.56 NATO that prevent civilians from purchasing it.
5.56 NATO was designed specifically for military use, so it should be no surprise that it's a fantastic cartridge for personal and home defense. It's also used by hunters for hunting small to medium game.