How do 5.56 ballistics differ by exact load?
Velocity is measured in feet per second; energy is expressed in foot-pounds. Drop describes bullet position relative to a stated line of sight, while wind drift describes displacement under stated wind conditions.
A military-pattern label or bullet weight does not establish one ballistic profile. Verify the exact manufacturer identifier, test conditions, and source date before comparing results.
This site supplies no matched measurement series establishing a universal trajectory or wind-drift winner.
Identified manufacturer specifications
PMC 5.56X identifies a 55gr FMJ-BT load. PMC 5.56K identifies a 62gr LAP load. These are separate products, not specifications for every commercial military-pattern cartridge.
Manufacturer product pages distinguish barrel-length settings. Preserve the selected setting with any quoted ballistic result. This page does not substitute a generic 16-inch profile for an identified manufacturer's test conditions.
A Federal Gold Medal Match product and a Black Hills Mk262-pattern product are not one load merely because both have a 77gr bullet. Verify their exact identifiers separately; this page supplies no common trajectory or accuracy result.
Trajectory and zero boundaries
A reproducible calculation needs the exact load, source velocity, drag model, sight height, zero, atmosphere, and wind inputs. Retain the saved inputs and source conditions with the result.
A 50-yard zero does not establish an exact second crossing at 200 yards for every load and configuration.
A ballistic coefficient describes drag relative to a stated reference model. Verify the exact bullet, model, and applicable velocity range. Bullet weight alone does not establish a drag ranking or universal stabilization requirement.
Barrel length and terminal-performance boundaries
This page does not establish a universal velocity loss per inch or a fragmentation distance.
A velocity comparison does not certify accuracy, cycling reliability, barrier behavior, or terminal performance. This page provides no matched terminal-performance test supporting a defensive load selection.
Follow the equipment manufacturer's guidance for the exact configuration. This article supplies no firearm-modification instructions or legal barrel-length authorization. Verify current legal requirements separately with qualified sources.
Price comparison and compatibility
Use 5.56 tracked listings, lowest tracked listed cost per round, and .223 comparison listings. These categories do not authorize ammunition substitution. Verify the exact cartridge designation against the firearm manufacturer's instructions.
Check product identity, package quantity, observation time, and the disclosed cost basis. Unknown shipping does not establish a delivered-cost winner. Historical observations are not currently purchasable offers.
The ammo price index and caliber price comparisons do not establish firearm compatibility or ballistic equivalence. A listed cost-per-round result is not a defensive or hunting recommendation.
Comparing by a stated criterion
A comparison must disclose its criterion before naming a winner. Eligible offer arithmetic can establish a scoped cost-per-round result. Trajectory, accuracy, and terminal performance require comparable evidence that this page does not supply.
For construction labels and their limits, see 5.56 ammunition types.
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Search 5.56 by bullet weight: 55gr → | 62gr → | 77gr →