5.56x45mm NATO

5.56mm NATO · 1980 · FN Herstal / NATO · 456 firearms in catalog

Also known as: 5.56 NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington (chamber compatible)

Cartridge specifications

Bullet Diameter5.7 mm (0.224")
Neck Diameter6.43 mm (0.253")
Base Diameter9.6 mm (0.378")
Case Length44.7 mm (1.760")
Overall Length57.4 mm (2.260")
Max Pressure430 MPa (62,366 psi)
Typical Bullet Weight4 g (62 gr)
Typical Muzzle Velocity940 m/s (3084 fps)
Typical Muzzle Energy1767 J (1303 ft·lbf)
Primer TypeSmall Rifle
Cartridge TypeRimless Bottleneck
Introduced1980

Firearms chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO

Cartridge family

Parent cartridge: .223 Remington

Derived cartridges