.308 vs 5.56: Rifle Caliber Comparison

The Short Answer: The 5.56 NATO is known for its lower recoil, higher magazine capacity, and affordability, making it ideal for close to mid-range shooting. In contrast, the .308 Winchester delivers greater stopping power, deeper penetration, and superior long-range capability, though it comes with stronger recoil and heavier gear.

Choosing between .308 Winchester and 5.56 NATO comes down to personal preference and practical considerations for most shooters. Each caliber has its strengths and serves different purposes well.

The .308 Winchester emerged in 1952 as a military-inspired round that became one of the most popular cartridges and short-action designs for big game hunting worldwide. It was designed as a replacement for the aging .30-06 Springfield, offering similar ballistic performance in a shorter case.

The 5.56 NATO was developed from the .223 Remington in 1957 by the United States armed forces as part of the United States military’s search for a lighter, more controllable round that would allow soldiers to carry more ammunition while maintaining effectiveness at typical combat ranges.

About .308 Winchester Bullets

The .308 Winchester is a smokeless powder rimless bottlenecked rifle round widely used for hunting, target shooting, police, military, and self defense applications globally.

Specs and Performance

The .308 Winchester typically features bullet weight ranging from 147 to 180 grains, with muzzle velocity from approximately 2,500 to 2,800 feet per second. Muzzle energy ranges from around 2,500 foot-pounds to over 3,000 foot-pounds.

With its heavier bullet, the .308 has almost double the kinetic energy at the muzzle when compared to the 5.56 round, but produces around 20 foot-pounds of recoil, nearly tripling that of the 5.56 NATO.

Key Advantages

The .308 Winchester stands out for several performance reasons

Long-Range Power: With a standard load and proper marksmanship, the .308 can remain effective beyond 800 yards, offering a noticeable advantage for long-distance shooting.

Barrier Penetration: Superior penetration through barriers compared to lighter rounds due to its larger diameter and heavier bullet.

Proven Performance: Decades of military and law enforcement use stand as a testament to the reliability of this caliber.

Applications

Hunting: The 308 Winchester easily handles deer-sized game up to big game animals like elk, black bear, and caribou. In Africa, it’s popular among Bushveld hunters for everything from duiker to eland, offering excellent stopping power.

Long-Range Shooting: Commonly used for precision matches, military sniping, and police sharpshooting. If you’re looking for competitive target shooting beyond 600 yards at longer ranges, the .308 Winchester is the way to go.

Popular Firearms: Extensive firearm options including AR-10 platforms, bolt action rifle designs from budget hunting rifles to precision target rifles, and military rifles like the M110 SASS semi-automatic sniper.

About 5.56 NATO Bullets

The 5.56 NATO is one of the most popular cartridges on the planet, designed for lightweight performance and high velocity capabilities.

Specs and Performance

The most common bullet weight for the 5.56 NATO are 55 and 62 grains, with some heavier bullets maxing out at about 77 grains. A standard 55-grain full metal jacket load typically reaches muzzle velocities over 3,000 feet per second and delivers around 1,200 foot-pounds of energy when fired from a 16-inch barrel.

Bullet weight for the 5.56 NATO ranges between 55 and 77 grains, whereas .308 Winchester bullets weigh between 130 and 180 grains – a noticeable difference in bullet weight.

Key Advantages

The 5.56 NATO excels in several important areas

Low Recoil: Minimal recoil allows quicker follow-up shots and better control during rapid fire.

High Capacity: Lighter ammunition allows for higher magazine capacity and more rounds carried.

Affordability: Still inexpensive compared to other centerfire rifle rounds.

Platform Weight: Perfectly suited to the lighter AR-15 platform.

Applications

Self-Defense: The primary use for the 5.56 NATO is self defense. In urban environments, the 5.56 NATO is less likely to over-penetrate through multiple walls compared to the heavier bullet of the .308.

Target Shooting: If you’re shooting targets at ranges of 600 yards and under, 5.56 mm NATO is just as accurate, cheaper, and more shooter-friendly. For high-volume practice, it’s the best choice.

Varmint Hunting: For varmints on your ranch requiring rapid follow-up shots, an AR-15 rifle or bolt action rifle serves as the ideal choice for hunting small game.

Popular Firearms: The AR-15 platform is the most popular sporting rifle design today, most frequently chambered in 5.56 NATO specifications or .223 Rem. Also includes military rifles like the M16 and M4 Carbine semi-automatic rifle and various machine guns.

Making a Decision Between .308 vs 5.56

Choosing between these two calibers requires an honest assessment of your needs, experience level, and intended applications, often coming down to personal preference.

Consider Your Primary Purpose

For Long-Range Shooting and Hunting Large Game: If you want to focus on ranges beyond 600 yards, go with the .308. For hunting big game, .308 Win is more effective and delivers ethical kills with greater consistency, giving it a clear winner status for big game applications.

For Self-Defense and High-Volume Training: For frequent training sessions, 5.56 NATO tends to be the more practical option. It’s lighter, more portable, and easier to maneuver with less likelihood of over-penetration in self defense scenarios.

Practical Factors

Weight and Portability: Carrying 6 magazines of .308 versus 6 magazines of 5.56 mm NATO is a primary difference. 5.56 mm NATO is much easier to carry, giving you 180 rounds versus 120 for the same magazine count.

Cost Considerations: .308 ammunition can often be twice as expensive as 5.56 NATO ammo. If you’re focused on target shooting or training, 5.56 NATO makes more sense financially, though factory loads vary in price.

Recoil Management: The .308 produces around 20 foot-pounds of recoil compared to about 7 foot-pounds for 5.56 NATO. Consider your experience level and comfort with recoil – this gives 5.56 a slight edge for new shooters.

Platform Differences: The AR-15 platform is lighter and more maneuverable than the AR platform required for .308, with the AR-15 platform being preferred by many military shooters.

Range and Effectiveness

Effective Range: Accuracy is comparable between 308 vs 556 out to 600 yards. Beyond that distance, .308 Winchester holds a better flight path with its flatter trajectory and maintains more energy on target, operating at higher pressure for better ballistics.

Energy on Target: At extended ranges, .308 WIN retains significantly more kinetic energy than the 5.56, delivering substantially more stopping power downrange. The higher ballistic coefficient of .308 bullets also reduces wind drift at longer ranges

Remember that both calibers are great when used for their intended purpose. Determine what’s best suited for your needs and get practice behind your rifle—neither will let you down when used properly. Personal preference and intended use should guide your decision between these two excellent calibers.

Why Choose Berry’s for Your Bullets

Ever considered reloading your own bullets? Reloading gives you greater control over accuracy, consistency, and cost. It’s a smart move for high-volume shooters and anyone who wants to fine-tune their performance. Berry’s Bullets stands apart for several key reasons:

Our manufacturing process starts with precision-swaged lead cores that are then electroplated with copper to reach the exact weight. This method creates bullets with exceptional consistency and concentricity, directly improving your shot placement.

For 5.56 shooters, our bullets deliver smooth feeding and reliable performance at prices that make high-volume recreational shooting affordable. Our 5.56 offerings of 55 and 62 grain bullets match your specific needs.

Don’t settle for less when accuracy and consistency matter most. With over 80 bullet types, Berry’s offers American-made performance you can rely on. Explore our full lineup and see why shooters across generations choose Berry’s.