Best 20 556 Hunting Rounds: High-Power Choices for Your Arsenal

The. 223 Remington, also known as 5.56 NATO, has established itself as a versatile choice for both civilian and military applications. This article examines the top hunting rounds, comparing their performance, reliability, and value to help you make an informed decision.

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Conquest Control Freak.750” Hunter Kit

These hunting bars pack remarkable strength into whisper-light weight, with every detail engineered for quick, precise shots. The clever locking system clips into place in just three seconds, while the adjustable drop provides just the right amount of flip for any shooting situation. The included weights keep your aim steady, no matter the hunting terrain.

5.56 Caliber Patch

This handy patch measures just over an inch by two and a quarter inches, making it a practical addition to your gear or storage setup. The gray and gold design keeps things looking stylish while remaining low-key. Whether you’re a hunter or collector, it’s a small investment that helps you stay organized with your 5.56 rounds.

5.56 NATO Bullet Ring

Drawing inspiration from the 5.56 NATO cartridge, this distinctive ring masterfully blends tactical elements with refined eternity styling. Its unique design speaks volumes without shouting, making it a subtle yet memorable addition to any collection. Whether you appreciate the practical origins or simply love its sophisticated look, this ring delivers on both counts.

Gunstar Mongo Target Set

This black target set features aiming rings and dots designed for scope lenses, with a Circle ID ranging from. 36” to. 41”. Perfect for target shooting, this set includes no extra features beyond its basic aiming aids.

NSR Tactical Desert Tan Hard Loop

The USA-made NSR Tactical Desert Tan loop turns ordinary belts into rugged gear stations for your toughest outings. With its strong polymer construction and versatile design, this loop can handle anything from extra ammo to surplus gear. The angle of the clip makes it comfy to wear, while the non-drilled version lets you choose exactly what goes through your belt.

223 Adjustable Bullet Ring

Crafted from a recycled 223 bullet casing, this adjustable ring features a silver-plated base and a clear Swarovski crystal bullet. The simple yet elegant design measures just over 3/8 inch in diameter, making it a distinctive addition to your AR-15 or M4 rifle.

Action Target 556 Training Lab Target

The Action Target 556 Training Lab target combines durability and precision for reliable shooting practice. Each box contains 100 targets, featuring a brown and white design that simulates realistic shooting scenarios. These training aids help shooters of all levels improve their accuracy and confidence.

Gunstar Colossal Aiming Dots

These black aiming dots solve the problem of visibility in high-power lenses or challenging outdoor lighting conditions. The dots expand your point of aim, making it easier to hit your target from a distance.

Magnum Target Six 6in AR500 Steel Target Rounds

Crafted from tough 3/8-inch AR500 steel, these six 6-inch shooting plates pack a punch – they’re rated to handle 3,000 fps at 100 yards. Each plate’s precision-cut design comes courtesy of a CNC plasma cutter that keeps the target faces water-cooled for lasting accuracy. The reversible faces give you double the shooting time before replacements are needed. Whether you’re zeroing in with a pistol or testing your long-range skills with a rifle, these durable plates will stand up to whatever you dish out.

5.56 Hunting Round Ring

This durable and well-crafted ring stands out as a meaningful piece of jewelry that draws admiration wherever it goes. Made from genuine M-16 ammo shell casings, every detail of the 5.56 ring construction shines through in its well-backed claims of quality and comfort. Whether you’re a veteran looking for a special anniversary gift or someone who appreciates the blend of military history and elegant design, this ring delivers on all fronts.

Magnum Target Six 8in AR500 Steel Rounds TR86AR500T

These six 8-inch steel plates pack a punch, though they’re surprisingly precise for their robust construction. The reversible design helps extend their lifespan, and the included tubes give you options for mounting them in different ways. Whether you’re practicing with pistols or light rifles, these targets dish out consistent feedback for your shooting technique.

5.56mm Training Range Box

This comprehensive training kit handles up to 25 firearms at once, making it perfect for group sessions or the shooting club. The USA-made box comes in multiple calibers, including the handy. 223/. 556 combo that shooters often ask about. The well-organized setup makes cleaning both efficient and thorough.

Hunters Specialties Fresh Earth Scent Wafer

These scent wafers provide a concentrated earthy aroma that helps mask human odors. Each wafer is designed to pin directly to clothing or hang from a tree stand – they snap securely into place and stay put through all stages of a hunting trip. The clever design lets you store used wafers right back in the container to maintain their potency between uses.

Magnum Target Six AR500 Steel Plates

The Magnum Target Six features precision-cut 6-inch AR500 steel plates with 3-inch tubes for versatile shooting setups. These durable targets, rated for velocities up to 3,000 fps, are backed by reversible faces that double their lifespan. Always prioritize safety with proper eye and ear protection, maintaining minimum distances of 15 yards for pistols and 100 yards for rifles.

Black Eagle Instinct 600 Outserts

These sleek 100-grain stainless steel outserts pack a serious punch, developed by top hunters and archers for dead-on accuracy. The secret to getting them to fit? A bit of patience with the sandpaper – once you’ve got them sliding on just right, the included glue does the rest, sealing your arrow for perfect flight every time.

Conquest Fire ScentCartridge

These scent cartridges catch your attention with their fire-breathing potential, though one user notes the VS-1 scent might be tricky to install. Once you get them set up, they’ll keep your scent out in the wild for hours at a time – up to 100 hours with the right combination of scents. The Hunters Pack includes both EverCalm and VS-1, while the Rutting Buck Pack mixes EverCalm with a more aggressive scent profile.

Mag MFT Extreme Duty 5.56 30RD Banan

When you’re hitting the range or heading out for some serious hunting, these Mag MFT rounds pack the punch you need in a reliable, high-capacity magazine. Built for 223 Remington, these rounds come with the Texas Fowlers stamp of quality, giving you confidence in every shot. With 30 rounds per magazine, you can stay firing longer without stopping to reload.

Tracer Rounds: Glow in the Dark Ammo

Elastic Precision’s Tracer Rounds blend practicality with nighttime adventure. These specially designed 1911 and 9mm rounds light up in the dark after exposure to any light source, making them perfect for those late-night shooting sessions when visibility is low. The glow-in-the-dark feature helps shooters pick out their spent ammunition easily, especially in poorly lit environments.

Conquest Fire Cartridge (Rutting Buck)

The Conquest Fire Cartridge mimics the intense testosterone scent of a rutting buck, designed to be vaporized and dispersed over an impressive 100-hour period. The black cartridge houses concentrated hunting scents developed to trigger the primal instincts of game animals. While some reviewers have experienced delays in fulfillment, those who have used it report impressive results, with one user describing how it “hit that penjamin and absolutely got flabbergasted. “

Conquest Fire Cartridge

These two black ScentFire cartridges combine 556 Hunting Rounds with EverCalm and VS-1 scents for a long-lasting impact in the woods. Each cartridge releases its powerful blend through a simple vaporization process, providing up to 100 hours of scent dispersal without the hassle of traditional scenting methods.

Buyer’s Guide

556 hunting rounds represent a specialized application of the widely recognized 5.56 NATO cartridge, offering hunters a versatile ammunition choice. Understanding their characteristics and selecting suitable rounds requires consideration of several key factors.

Caliber and Performance

556 hunting rounds use the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, which delivers effective terminal performance on medium-sized game. The shorter case compared to 5.56x45mm military ammo typically results in slightly less muzzle energy but maintains reliable expansion and penetration.

Ballistic Coefficient and Trajectory

Selecting appropriate hunting ammo involves balancing weight, velocity, and trajectory. Heavier bullets offer better retained energy downrange but exhibit lower velocity, while lighter bullets sacrifice some penetration for flatter trajectories. Consider your hunting range and target species when choosing a BC.

Bullet Variants

Common bullet designs include FMJ, JSP, and HP variants. Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) provides consistent performance but lacks expandability. Jacketed Soft Point (JSP) offers balance between penetration and expansion. Hollow Point (HP) bullets maximize expansion for quick kills but may not perform as consistently in harsh environments.

Reliability and Cost

Brand reputation, consistency, and pricing influence reliability. Major manufacturers like Winchester, Nosler, and Berger provide reliable options. Consider buying in bulk for hunting trips but verify lot numbers and expiration dates to ensure consistent accuracy.

FAQ

What calibers are considered 556 rounds?

556 rounds typically refer to 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges, which are commonly used in modern military and civilian firearms chambered for this caliber. These rounds are distinct from 5.56mm bullets, which can vary in manufacturer and specific specifications while maintaining compatibility with the 5.56x45mm case.

While some manufacturers produce rounds that closely match military specifications, others create commercial variants that may differ slightly in performance characteristics. It’s important to verify the exact specifications of any non-military 556 round to ensure compatibility with your firearm.

What are the main differences between military and commercial 556 rounds?

Military 556 rounds, such as the M855, are engineered to precise NATO standards, featuring a specific bullet design and powder charge for optimal performance in fully automatic weapons and accurate shooting in semi-automatic rifles. These rounds prioritize penetration and reliability in battle environments.

Commercial 556 rounds often offer a wider variety of bullet types and loads, including expanding bullets for hunting and practice loads for firearms that don’t meet military automatic fire requirements. While generally dependable, commercial rounds may not perform identically to military specifications in all firearms.

What are the advantages of premium 556 ammunition?

Premium 556 ammunition often features high-quality components, including tougher jackets and more precise bullet designs. These rounds typically offer superior energy transfer, consistent ballistics, and better case-life for firearms, compared to economy options.

Premium 556 ammunition is crucial for match competition, hunting, and precision shooting, where consistency and reliability are paramount. The added cost usually reflects the improved performance and longer cartridge life provided by higher-grade materials and manufacturing processes.

How should 556 ammunition be stored?

Unopened 556 ammunition should be stored in a cool, dry place with consistent temperature, ideally in original packaging to prevent contamination. Opened boxes should be stored in a sealed container to protect cartridges from moisture and dust.

To maintain optimal performance, keep ammunition in storage for no more than five years, especially if not sealed in humidity-controlled environments. Regularly inspect stored cartridges for signs of moisture damage or deteriorating components before use.

Can different 556 cartridges be mixed in the same magazine?

Manufacturers generally recommend using the same type of 556 cartridge in a single magazine to maintain consistent firearm performance. Mismatched rounds, even if from the same caliber, can vary in length, shape, and weight, which may affect feeding, gas operation, and cartridge positioning in the chamber.

Mixing cartridges can also void manufacturer warranties and potentially compromise safety, especially with military variants. If you need to carry multiple types of 556 rounds, consider separate magazines for each type to maintain optimal firearm function and reliability.

What is the shelf life of 556 ammunition?

Unopened 556 ammunition typically has a shelf life of 5-7 years when stored properly. The actual duration depends on storage conditions, with optimal performance maintained longest in cool, dry environments free from temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight.

After the recommended storage period, perform a visual inspection for signs of deterioration, check cartridge weight using an electronic scale (as weight can indicate moisture absorption), and conduct a functional test before use. Always prioritize safety when using stored ammunition, especially if the shelf life has significantly passed recommended storage guidelines.

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