About Bulk 223 and 5.56 Ammo
Shooting your AR platform rifle or carbine, or any number of other rifles or carbines based on the 223 Remington or 5.56 NATO round can be a lot of fun.
The high powered, small caliber rifle round offers extreme performance for a small cost per shot, thanks to the market demand, availability to suppliers and the relatively inexpensive component parts of the round.
Ammunition Depot carries an extensive line of bulk cartridges in both 5.56 and 223, from proven military surplus to commercial offerings from every brand, include Federal Ammo, Remington Ammo, PMC Ammo, and American Eagle Ammo.
What’s the Difference – Bulk 5.56 Ammo vs Bulk 223 Ammo
The main difference between 223 and 5.56 ammunition is their chamber pressure rating, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).
5.56 ammunition typically has a higher chamber pressure rating, thicker brass, and a longer leade (the part of the barrel that the bullet passes through before it engages the rifling) than 223 ammunition.
While 223 ammo can be fired in firearms chambered for 5.56 NATO ammo, the reverse is not always true.
Using 5.56 ammo in a rifle chambered for 223 rem can increase chamber pressure and potentially dangerous malfunctions.
It is recommended to consult your manufacturer's owner's manual or a knowledgeable gunsmith to determine which type of ammunition is most suitable for your rifle.
Common Types of 223 / 5.56 Ammunition
FMJ (Full Metal Jacket)
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) is a standard type of 223 ammo / 5.56 ammo that has a lead core covered in a copper jacket. It is commonly used for target shooting and practice.
Hollow Point (HP)
Hollow Point (HP) is a type of 223 ammo / 5.56 ammo has a hollowed-out tip that is designed to expand upon impact, making it a good choice for hunting and self-defense.
Ballistic Tip
Ballistic tip 223 and 5.56 cartridges are designed for hunting and often feature a polymer tip that helps increase accuracy and will expansion upon impact.
Match Grade
Match Grade 5.56 and 223 ammunition is designed for competition shooting and features a consistent bullet weight and powder charge for improved accuracy.
Tracer
Tracer 223 and 5.56 ammo features a special tip that ignites upon firing, producing a visible trail of light that helps shooters see where their rounds are going.
M193
This is a standard type of 5.56 ammo that has a 55-grain bullet and a lead core covered in a copper jacket. It is commonly used for target shooting and practice.
M855
M855 is often called “green tip” ammo for its special color coding (the full metal jacket is painted green at the nose). These 5.56 cartridges push a 62-grain projectile designed with a boat tail, lead core, and a special steel tip.
Benefits of Buying Bulk 223 / 5.56 Ammo
COST SAVINGS
Purchasing ammunition in bulk quantities can often lead to lower per-round costs compared to buying smaller quantities. This is particularly true for 223 and 5.56 ammo, which are popular rounds and often available in bulk quantities at discounted prices.
CONVENIENCE
Buying in bulk means you will have plenty of ammo on hand for target practice or other shooting activities. You won't have to worry about running out of ammo and having to make a last-minute trip to the store.
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
Consistency is key when it comes to ammunition. By purchasing in bulk, you can ensure that all rounds are from the same production batch, which can help improve accuracy and performance.
LONG-TERM STORAGE
Buying in bulk can be beneficial for those who want to stockpile ammunition for long-term storage. Properly stored ammo can last for many years and buying in bulk can ensure that you have enough for your needs.
REDUCED SHIPPING
Online retailers like Ammunition Depot offer customers free or reduced shipping costs for bulk orders, which can help you save even more money on your purchase.
AVAILABILITY
Due to the popularity of 223 and 5.56 rounds, buying in bulk can ensure that you have access to enough ammunition, especially during times of high demand when smaller quantities may be sold out.
Advantages of Buying Bulk 5.56 and 223 Ammo Online
Buying ammunition in bulk has always been a practical option when trying to save a few dollars and a great way to guarantee your favorite rounds are available when you need them - this is especially true for a popular caliber like Bulk 223 ammo.
Additionally, for customers concerned with elevating ammunition prices, purchasing a bulk 5.56 ammo is an excellent method for getting the rounds you need and locking them in at a price point that won't break the bank.
Below are additional advantages of buying bulk ammo online - Specifically 223 and 5.56 bulk ammo.
Lower Prices per Round: No matter the caliber, buying bulk ammo online helps save you time and money on your initial purchase by getting a better cost per round.
Saving on Shipping Charges: When buying ammunition in bulk, customers don't just save money on the ammo, they also save on shipping costs. At Ammunition Depot, you'll always find promotional deals for reduced or even free shipping.
Caliber Selection: Authorized online dealers like Ammunition Depot carries vast selections of ammo calibers from the brands you know and trust. Popular Bulk 223 and 5.56 bulk ammo brands include Federal, PMC, Winchester, and more.
Storage: One key element to consider is proper storage after purchasing your 223 or 5.56 bulk ammo. Any adverse or poor condition of your ammunition can lead to misfires or cause damage to your handgun or rifle.
To further protect your purchased ammo, all orders are shipped in standard, reinforced packaging, safeguarding your ammo from moisture, air, and corrosion.
At Ammunition Depot, we strive to provide the highest levels of customer service paired with the lowest prices available.
Throughout our store, you'll find cheap bulk ammo available in all popular calibers, including Bulk 9mm Ammo, Bulk 308 Ammo, Bulk 45 ACP Ammo, Bulk 22LR Ammo, and many more.
Bulk 5.56 and 223 Ammo FAQ
QUESTION: Where can I buy 223 bulk ammo?
ANSWER: The 223 Remington rifle cartridge is one of the most popular rifle rounds in the United States, if not the world, so it's a staple wherever ammunition is sold.
You can find it in big box retail sporting goods stores, gun shows, pawn shops and small gun shops. You can also find it as one of the rounds available online at web stores like Ammunition Depot.
QUESTION: What is the best 223 bulk ammo?
ANSWER: The best bulk 223 ammo is the one that best suits your needs. Factor in your plans for using it along with the kind of rifle you have and see what is available. At that point, you've probably found a few choices for your situation. Decide how much you want to purchase and consider your budget restrictions.
If your preferred retailer has the 223 ammo that's at the top of your list in bulk, this is the best ammo for you. If they don't, you can move on to the next one on your list.
QUESTION: What is the difference between bulk 5.56 and 223 ammo?
ANSWER: The two main differences between 223 and 5.56 are the sizes of the cartridge and the amount of pressure generated by each. Both are similar in size, but a 5.56 cartridge has a slightly longer leade. This gives the 5.56 a shorter distance between the place where the rifling engages the round and the cartridge.
The difference in leade is what causes the different amount of pressure generated in the chamber. The pressure generated by a 5.56 round is higher than that of a 223. Additionally, a gun chambered for 5.56 can fire a 223 round, but a gun chambered for 223 cannot safely fire a 5.56. It could cause a catastrophic failure.
QUESTION: Brass vs Steel Cased 223 Rounds
ANSWER: While there is some evidence that steel-cased rounds can cause more wear and tear on your rifle than brass-cased rounds, typically the price difference will make up for the cost of barrel replacement or maintenance.
Typically, steel cased rounds are cheaper than brass, which may allow you more time at the range for your money, even if you take into account replacement barrels and other expenses of that sort.
QUESTION: Are 223 and 5.56 Interchangeable?
ANSWER: While similar, the two rounds aren’t the same and shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable. While you can safely fire 223 Ammo from a firearm chambered in 5.56x45 NATO, it doesn’t work both ways.
In other words, you shouldn’t fire 5.56 in your rifle if it is chambered for 223. Basically, 5.56 is loaded at higher pressures than 223 and using the 5.56 in your AR-15 could lead to a catastrophic failure and serious injury.
QUESTION: How much does bulk 5.56 and 223 ammo cost?
ANSWER: The price per round (PPR) cost of both 223 and 5.56 is much lower than many other rounds due to their popularity. Barring unforeseen shortages, the PPR for these two rounds when bought in bulk can be in excess of 10 cents per round cheaper than buying non-bulk.
QUESTION: How should you store bulk 223 or bulk 5.56 ammo?
ANSWER: Storage is key for bulk ammo. To preserve effectiveness, your bulk ammunition should be stored in its own separate climate-controlled area if possible.
If that's impossible, your storage efforts should be focused on mitigating heat and moisture. More than anything else, these are the biggest threats to ammo.