The military changed to the 5.56x45 NATO (.223) round because the previous caliber of .308 was way too powerful and much heavier. Prior to that the military had used the .30 cal. and before that the .30-06 during WWI & WW2.
The first number in these calibers is the diameter of the bullet. The .30-06 is what would be considered high caliber and most indoor ranges will not allow you to use them because of the potential damage they do to the range wall. AR15's mostly use the very small diameter bullet which is only 22/100ths. of an inch. A bullet such as the .308 has a much longer range than the 5.56 (.223) so not only is the diameter of the .308 30/100ths. of an inch but it travels much farther and hits with quite a bit more energy.
Here is a chart with photos. Click on the chart to enlarge and the .223 REM is the common ammo for the AR15. Note the size difference between it and the .30-06 Springfield which was used in WWI & WWII and is commonly used for deer hunting.
The British military are going back to 7.62mm. Their general purpose machine guns are already 7.62 so they won't have to piss around with two sizes of commie killer.
Gun people tend to either be AR15 fans or AK fans. AR15's use the 5.56x45 and AK's use the 7.62x39. American soldiers carry the less powerful 5.56x45 while most of our foes carry the more powerful 7.63x39. If everybody in America became AK owners, then the cabal would have to call AR15's low power rifles.
The military changed to the 5.56x45 NATO (.223) round because the previous caliber of .308 was way too powerful and much heavier. Prior to that the military had used the .30 cal. and before that the .30-06 during WWI & WW2.
The first number in these calibers is the diameter of the bullet. The .30-06 is what would be considered high caliber and most indoor ranges will not allow you to use them because of the potential damage they do to the range wall. AR15's mostly use the very small diameter bullet which is only 22/100ths. of an inch. A bullet such as the .308 has a much longer range than the 5.56 (.223) so not only is the diameter of the .308 30/100ths. of an inch but it travels much farther and hits with quite a bit more energy.
Thanks.
Here is a chart with photos. Click on the chart to enlarge and the .223 REM is the common ammo for the AR15. Note the size difference between it and the .30-06 Springfield which was used in WWI & WWII and is commonly used for deer hunting.
https://www.ammoandguncollector.com/2019/03/some-more-helpful-ammo-cartridge-and.html
Great reference!
The British military are going back to 7.62mm. Their general purpose machine guns are already 7.62 so they won't have to piss around with two sizes of commie killer.
Gun people tend to either be AR15 fans or AK fans. AR15's use the 5.56x45 and AK's use the 7.62x39. American soldiers carry the less powerful 5.56x45 while most of our foes carry the more powerful 7.63x39. If everybody in America became AK owners, then the cabal would have to call AR15's low power rifles.