What is the best AR-15 caliber for home defense?

5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout are the most popular AR-15 calibers for home defense. 5.56 NATO offers low recoil and wide ammo availability. .300 Blackout excels in short barrels and suppressed setups with subsonic loads.

What is the effective range of 5.56 NATO?

5.56 NATO is effective to approximately 500 yards for point targets from a 16-inch barrel, though terminal performance degrades significantly past 300 yards. From a 20-inch barrel, effective range extends to about 600 yards.

Can I shoot .223 Remington in a 5.56 NATO chamber?

Yes, .223 Remington can be safely fired in a 5.56 NATO chamber. However, 5.56 NATO should not be fired in a chamber marked .223 Remington only, as 5.56 operates at higher pressure. A .223 Wylde chamber safely handles both.

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AR-15 Ballistics: Caliber Data and Performance Charts

SAAMI pressure, velocity, energy, trajectory, and twist rate recommendations for every popular AR-15 and AR-10 caliber. Data sourced from SAAMI specifications and published manufacturer load data. Use this reference when picking a chambering, a barrel length, or a load for your build.

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AR-15 Calibers

AR-10 Calibers

.300 Winchester Magnum

PCC Calibers

Rimfire

Caliber Comparison Overview

Caliber	Platform	Max Pressure	Bullet Dia	MV (fps)	ME (ft-lb)	Best For
.22 LR	AR-15	24,000 psi	.223	1,070	102	Training
.22 WMR	AR-15	24,000 psi	.224	1,870	311	Small game and varmints
.223 Remington	AR-15	55,000 psi	.224	2,800	1,184	Self-defense
.223 Wylde	AR-15	62,000 psi	.224	2,850	1,244	Self-defense
.224 Valkyrie	AR-15	55,000 psi	.224	3,070	1,569	Varmint hunting
.243 Winchester	AR-10	60,000 psi	.243	3,050	1,962	Varmint
.270 Winchester	AR-10	65,000 psi	.277	2,890	2,596	Deer hunting
.300 AAC Blackout	AR-15	55,000 psi	.308	2,175	1,313	Self-defense, supersonic
.300 Winchester Magnum	AR-10	64,000 psi	.308	3,010	3,621	Big game hunting
.300 WSM	AR-10	65,000 psi	.308	3,150	3,635	Big game hunting
.308 Winchester	AR-10	62,000 psi	.308	2,580	2,483	Hunting medium game
.350 Legend	AR-15	55,000 psi	.357	2,325	1,800	Deer hunting
.40 S&W	AR-15	35,000 psi	.4	1,180	510	PCC self-defense
.400 Legend	AR-15	55,000 psi	.4	2,050	2,006	Big game hunting
.45 ACP	AR-15	21,000 psi	.452	940	451	Home defense (PCC)
.450 Bushmaster	AR-15	38,500 psi	.452	2,150	2,566	Large game hunting
.458 SOCOM	AR-15	35,000 psi	.458	1,850	2,279	Hunting large game
.50 Beowulf	AR-15	33,000 psi	.5	1,775	2,448	Large game hunting
10mm Auto	AR-15	37,500 psi	.4	1,340	718	Woods defense (PCC)
22 ARC	AR-15	52,000 psi	.224	3,020	1,519	Varmint
25-06 Remington	AR-10	63,000 psi	.257	3,050	2,375	Varmint and deer hunting
30-06 Springfield	AR-10	60,000 psi	.308	2,860	2,996	Deer and elk hunting
300 HAMR	AR-15	33,000 psi	.308	2,400	1,662	Hog hunting
5.56x45mm NATO	AR-15	62,000 psi	.224	2,970	1,214	Self-defense
5.7x28mm	AR-15	50,038 psi	.224	2,050	373	PDW / self-defense
6.5 Creedmoor	AR-10	62,000 psi	.264	2,720	2,299	Precision shooting
6.5 Grendel	AR-15	52,000 psi	.264	2,480	1,679	Medium game hunting
6.5 PRC	AR-10	65,000 psi	.264	2,920	2,707	Extended long-range
6.8 SPC	AR-15	55,000 psi	.277	2,570	1,613	Self-defense
6mm ARC	AR-15	52,000 psi	.243	2,800	1,828	Competition
7.62x39mm	AR-15	45,010 psi	.31	2,330	1,495	Self-defense
7mm Remington Magnum	AR-10	61,000 psi	.284	2,990	3,215	Big game hunting
7mm-08 Remington	AR-10	61,000 psi	.284	2,870	2,542	Deer and antelope hunting
8.6 Blackout	AR-10	52,000 psi	.338	1,080	777	Suppressed subsonic
9mm	AR-15	35,000 psi	.355	1,310	472	Home defense (PCC)

Data Disclaimer

Ballistic data is approximate and varies by ammunition lot, barrel condition, altitude, and temperature. Data sourced from SAAMI, Hornady, Federal Premium, Black Hills, Sig Sauer, and published manufacturer load specifications. Always confirm zero and trajectory with your specific firearm.

Barrel Reference

Twist rate, length, and profile

Ballistic performance starts at the barrel. Match twist rate to bullet weight and gas system to barrel length.

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Build around your caliber

Open the builder with compatibility checks for caliber, bolt face, and twist rate.