The type of ammunition you shoot depends on the rifle's intended purpose. Competition, hunting, self-defense, and plinking each require different ammo. Most AR-15s are chambered in the 5.56 NATO cartridge, but some are designated specifically for .223 Remington. What's the difference? While the external cartridge dimensions are identical, 5.56 produces higher pressure. DO NOT shoot 5.56 ammo in an AR-15 designated for .223 ammo. Look at the info stamped on your rifle's barrel to find out what cartridge it's chambered for.
Barrels come in a variety of lengths, with 14.5" (with a permanently attached flash hider) and 16" being the most common for AR-15 / M4-type carbines. This general-purpose length is the most versatile and can handle both close-in and distant targets. The barrel's TWIST RATE is the number of inches the bullet travels down the bore in order to make one complete revolution in the rifling. This imparts spin to the bullet so its flight stays stable after it leaves the barrel. A fast twist (1-7") is good for heavier bullets, while slower (1-12") is better for light bullets. The common 1-9" twist is excellent for the 55- and 62-grain bullets used in most 5.56 / .223 AR-15 ammo. Full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets are great for competition, plinking, and training. High-performance hollowpoint bullets are optimized for self-defense. Polymer-tipped bullets are usually used for hunting or target shooting.
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