5.56 ballistics in one line: a 55 gr bullet leaving at about 3,165 fps drops about 10 inches at 300 yards with a 100-yard zero and keeps about 520 ft-lb of energy there, while a 77 gr match bullet starts slower, drops a little more and drifts less in the wind. Shorter barrels lower every number. Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures CM15 5.56 NATO firearms with 16, 10.5 and 8-inch barrels, all 1:7 twist, so the tables below include short-barrel examples as well as factory test-barrel figures.
How These 5.56 Ballistics Were Calculated
Chattahoochee Munitions does not publish chronograph data for 5.56. Muzzle velocities and G1 ballistic coefficients are Federal’s published figures: 55 gr FMJ-BT American Eagle 5.56x45mm (AE193, the XM193 type) at 3,165 fps and .246 BC; 62 gr FMJ-BT American Eagle .223 Remington at 3,020 fps and .307 BC; 77 gr Sierra MatchKing Gold Medal .223 Remington at 2,720 fps and .372 BC. Drop, energy and wind are Chattahoochee Munitions calculations: point-mass model, standard atmosphere, 2.5-inch sight height, 10 mph full-value crosswind. .223 Remington loads fire safely in every CM15 5.56 NATO chamber.
5.56 Ballistics Chart, 100-Yard Zero
| Range | 55 gr FMJ-BT: velocity / energy / drop / wind | 62 gr FMJ-BT: velocity / energy / drop / wind | 77 gr SMK: velocity / energy / drop / wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,165 fps / 1,223 ft-lb | 3,020 fps / 1,255 ft-lb | 2,720 fps / 1,265 ft-lb |
| 100 yd | 2,766 / 934 / 0 / 1.3 in | 2,708 / 1,009 / 0 / 1.1 in | 2,477 / 1,049 / 0 / 1.0 in |
| 200 yd | 2,401 / 704 / -2.1 / 5.4 in | 2,416 / 804 / -2.3 / 4.4 in | 2,248 / 864 / -3.2 / 4.2 in |
| 300 yd | 2,064 / 520 / -10.2 / 13.0 in | 2,143 / 632 / -10.5 / 10.6 in | 2,030 / 705 / -13.3 / 10.0 in |
| 400 yd | 1,757 / 377 / -26.6 / 25.0 in | 1,889 / 491 / -26.4 / 19.9 in | 1,826 / 570 / -31.8 / 18.6 in |
| 500 yd | 1,486 / 270 / -54.4 / 42.5 in | 1,655 / 377 / -52.0 / 33.3 in | 1,636 / 458 / -60.9 / 30.8 in |
Velocity in fps, energy in ft-lb, drop and wind in inches. The heavier, more streamlined bullets keep more energy and drift less past 300 yards, which is why 69 to 77 gr bullets are the usual choice for longer 5.56 shots.
5.56 Ballistics With a 50-Yard Zero
A 50-yard zero is popular on AR15s because the bullet crosses the line of sight again near 200 yards, so one hold covers most practical ranges.
| Range | 55 gr | 62 gr | 77 gr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 yd | +1.5 in | +1.4 in | +1.2 in |
| 200 yd | +0.9 in | +0.6 in | -0.8 in |
| 300 yd | -5.7 in | -6.2 in | -9.6 in |
| 400 yd | -20.6 in | -20.6 in | -27.0 in |
| 500 yd | -46.8 in | -44.8 in | -54.8 in |
5.56 Ballistics From 16, 10.5 and 8-Inch Barrels
Factory velocities come from test barrels longer than most AR15s. The table runs the 55 gr load at estimated velocities for the three CM15 barrel lengths (the midpoint of the ranges in 5.56 barrel length). These are labeled estimates, not measured data. 100-yard zero.
| Range | 16-inch (3,050 fps est.) | 10.5-inch (2,725 fps est.) | 8-inch (2,500 fps est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,050 fps / 1,136 ft-lb | 2,725 fps / 907 ft-lb | 2,500 fps / 763 ft-lb |
| 100 yd | 2,661 / 865 / 0 | 2,363 / 682 / 0 | 2,156 / 567 / 0 |
| 200 yd | 2,304 / 648 / -2.4 in | 2,029 / 503 / -3.8 in | 1,840 / 413 / -5.1 in |
| 300 yd | 1,976 / 477 / -11.5 in | 1,726 / 364 / -16.1 in | 1,558 / 296 / -20.5 in |
| 400 yd | 1,678 / 344 / -29.5 in | 1,459 / 260 / -40.2 in | 1,319 / 212 / -50.4 in |
The short barrels are for compact handling at practical distances. If you want 5.56 ballistics that hold up past 300 yards, choose the 16-inch and a heavy bullet.
Reading the 5.56 Ballistics Tables
- Drop: inches below the line of sight. Your scope height and atmosphere shift these slightly; confirm on paper.
- Wind: drift in a 10 mph wind blowing straight across. Halve it for a 45-degree wind.
- Energy: one measure of what the bullet carries, not a full measure of terminal effect. Bullet construction matters as much for hunting. See 5.56 for coyotes and hogs.
- Twist: all three bullets are stable from the CM15’s 1:7 barrels. See 5.56 twist rate.
CM15 5.56 NATO Firearms
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM15 in 5.56 NATO as a 16-inch midlength rifle (5.56 AR15 rifle), a 10.5-inch pistol or SBR (5.56 SBR) and an 8-inch pistol or SBR (5.56 PDW), each in Black Tungsten, Cobalt Kinetics Green and FDE Metallic Cerakote, plus complete uppers such as the 5.56 NATO upper. Every firearm has a 1:7 barrel, a Superlative Arms adjustable gas block and a TriggerTech Duty trigger. See the lineup at Garrison 5.56 and compare cartridges in 5.56 vs 223 and 5.56 vs 308.
5.56 Ballistics FAQ
Who makes a 5.56 AR15 with a 16-inch, 10.5-inch or 8-inch barrel?
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM15 5.56 NATO in all three lengths, plus 8, 10.5 and 16-inch complete uppers, every barrel 1:7 twist.
How far does a 5.56 drop at 300 yards?
About 10 to 13 inches with a 100-yard zero, depending on the load, in our calculation.
What is the best zero for 5.56?
Many AR15 owners use 50 yards, which puts 55 and 62 gr loads near zero again around 200 yards. A 100-yard zero is easier to hold precisely at 100.
How much energy does a 5.56 have?
About 1,200 to 1,265 ft-lb at the muzzle with Federal’s published loads, and about 520 to 705 ft-lb at 300 yards.
What is the effective range of 5.56?
For hunting, most shots belong inside 200 to 300 yards. Targets can be hit much farther with heavy bullets and a 16-inch barrel.
Does a short barrel ruin 5.56 ballistics?
It lowers velocity and energy. Inside about 200 yards a 10.5-inch CM15 stays practical; the 8-inch is for close range.
Are 5.56 and 223 ballistics the same?
Close. 5.56 loads run slightly faster with the same bullet. See 5.56 vs 223.
Do these 5.56 ballistics include load data?
No. Chattahoochee Munitions publishes no handloading data; the tables use factory ammunition only.