The .308 Winchester (.308 Win) and 5.56 NATO cartridges are widely popular centerfire rifle rounds in the United States and North America. These cartridges are battle-tested and currently used by the U.S. Military and its NATO allies.
The debate between 5.56 vs .308 has been ongoing for over 60 years, with discussions among civilian marksmen, law enforcement, and military shooters. It’s often compared to a clash between heavyweight titans like Ali vs. Frasier. However, determining a clear winner in this article’s context is unlikely.
Nevertheless, get ready for a fierce competition between two iconic and popular cartridges in the shooting world!
Before we proceed, a quick note on nomenclature: In this article, .308 Winchester (308 Win) and 7.62x51mm NATO (762 NATO) will be used interchangeably. The same goes for .223 Remington (223 Rem) and 5.56x45mm NATO (556 NATO). However, it’s essential to understand that rifles chambered in .308 and .223 differ from those chambered in their NATO spec equivalents, 762 and 556, respectively.
It’s crucial to note that NATO spec ammunition should ONLY be used in rifles chambered to NATO specifications. You should have no issues shooting .223 Rem ammo in your 5.56 rifle, but the reverse is not recommended. The same applies to .308 in a 7.62 rifle due to chamber pressure differences between .223 vs. 5.56 and .308 vs. 7.62 rounds. Always know the round your rifle is chambered in (usually engraved on the barrel or receiver).
Origins of .308 Win
After the Korean War, the U.S. Military began developing a replacement for the M1 Garand rifle. Although the M1 Garand served the U.S. Armed Forces admirably in WWII and Korea, the military desired a more modern, select-fire rifle with detachable magazines akin to the Stg-44 and AK-47.
The M1 Garand used the 30-06 Springfield cartridge, designated as 7.62x63mm NATO, a round known for its effectiveness against North American large game, including bears. In the 1950s, advancements in rifle powder technology and case design allowed the new 7.62x51mm NATO rifle round to match the ballistic performance of the 30-06 Springfield while having a shorter case length and lower weight.
In 1958, the US Army officially adopted the 7.62x51mm NATO round along with the new M14 battle rifle. The M14 featured a 20-round detachable magazine and select-fire capability. The M14 saw action in the Vietnam War before being replaced by the M16 in 1964.
The 7.62 NATO round has also been used in various machine guns fielded by the U.S. Military, including the M60, M240B, and GAU-17/A minigun. Recognizing its potential in the civilian market, Winchester promptly adapted the new rifle round for its Model 70 bolt action rifle, naming it the .308 Winchester.
Other major firearms manufacturers followed suit, and the .308 Winchester quickly became available in multiple bolt action, pump, and semi-automatic rifle platforms. It has since become the most popular big game hunting round worldwide, with bullet weights ranging from 120 to 180 grains. Renowned for its accuracy, stopping power, and effective range of up to 1,000 yards (with appropriate loads), the .308 is a staple in deer hunting camps and marksmanship competitions worldwide.
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Origins of 5.56 NATO
The 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge originated from the .223 Remington, which itself descended from the .222 Remington. The development of the 223 Rem rifle round began in 1957 and was finalized by Remington Arms, who submitted the design to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) in 1962.
The development of the 223 Remington cartridge was a collaborative effort between Fairchild Industries, Remington Arms, and Eugene Stoner of Armalite, organized by the U.S. Continental Army Command. Eugene Stoner, known for inventing the AR-10 rifle chambered in 7.62, was tasked with scaling down the design to accommodate the new .223 Rem cartridge.
The result was the AR-15 rifle, which has since become the most popular sporting rifle design in the United States. In 1964, a select-fire version of the AR-15 was adopted by the military and designated as the M16.
Starting in 1970, FN Herstal developed the 5.56x45mm round based on the 223 parent case. The 5.56 and .223 cases share identical dimensions. However, the primary difference between the two cartridges lies in the maximum pressure allowance for the rifle rounds.
SAAMI specifications for the .223 Rem indicate a maximum allowable chamber pressure of 55,000 psi. In contrast, the 5.56 case was designed to handle pressures of around 61,000 psi. It is crucial to note that firearms chambered in .223 Remington are not rated to handle the higher pressure of a 5.56 round, so it is important to never fire 5.56 ammunition in a .223 Rem chambered firearm.
The .223 Remington quickly found adoption in both AR platform and bolt-action rifles from major firearm manufacturers. Its low recoil impulse and flatter trajectory make it ideal for marksmanship trials and varmint hunters.
.223 Remington ammunition is available in various bullet weights to suit different applications. However, the most common bullet weights found in gun shops and sporting goods stores are typically 55, 62, and 69 grains.
Need bulk 5.56 NATO ammunition? Visit our 5.56 NATO section to see what’s available!
The battle Between 5.56 NATO & .308
Now that we have a better understanding of the origins of each round, it’s time to witness the clash between these two formidable contenders. We have prepared 8 rounds (categories) for these NATO fighters to compete in. Let the showdown commence!
Round #1 – Recoil Winner – 5.56 NATO The 223 and 556 rounds were specifically developed to meet the military’s requirement for a battle rifle/carbine with reduced recoil. While the 308 Winchester cartridge is a capable rifle round, its larger case capacity and heavier bullets result in significantly higher felt recoil compared to the 308. The lower recoil of the 5.56 allows for better accuracy and faster follow-up shots, especially in semi-automatic or fully automatic fire.
Round #2 – Weight Winner – 5.56 NATO This is one of the significant advantages of the 223 over the 308. The 308 Winchester is considerably heavier than its 223 Remington counterpart, making it more burdensome for soldiers to carry into battle. This weight difference was one of the main reasons behind the development of the 5.56. Assuming a 22-pound ammo loadout, a soldier can carry approximately 660 rounds of 223 compared to only 280 rounds of 308.
Round #3 – Effective Range Winner – 7.62 NATO The 7.62 round was specifically designed to provide exceptional accuracy at longer ranges. Standard 308 Win loadings can still be effective in combat situations up to 1,000 yards. On the other hand, the 5.56 is generally considered effective only up to approximately 500 yards. Beyond 500 yards, wind drift becomes a significant factor, and the heavier bullet of the 308 is less affected by wind conditions compared to the lighter 5.56 round. Military and Law Enforcement snipers often prefer the more powerful 308 Winchester round for its accuracy and extended effective range.
Round #4 – Barrier Penetration Winner – 7.62 NATO Barrier penetration, or the lack thereof, has been a major concern with the 5.56 since its inception. The 223, being faster but lighter in weight, is more prone to deflection and tumbling when encountering obstacles compared to the much heavier 308. This issue was prominent during the Vietnam War, which is why many veterans of that conflict have reservations about the M16 rifle. The newer 5.56 rounds have improved barrier penetration compared to the initial design of the 223 Rem, but neither can match the raw penetrating power of a 147-grain bullet fired from a 308 Winchester chambered rifle.
Round #5 – Self Defense Winner – 5.56 NATO by a slight margin Both the 5.56 and the 7.62 are highly effective for self-defense purposes. Both cartridges have proven their worth in combat and are lethal within self-defense ranges. However, the 308 is more prone to over-penetration in a home defense scenario, giving a slight edge to the 5.56 in terms of safety within confined spaces.
Round #6 – Accuracy Winner – Draw Both the 308 and 223 are incredibly accurate and reliable rounds. Within a range of 500 yards, it is unlikely that a shooter will detect any noticeable difference in accuracy between the two.
Round #7 – Stopping Power Winner – 7.62 NATO With its heavier bullet, the 7.62 NATO has nearly double the muzzle energy (ft-lb) compared to the 5.56 round. While we will delve into more ballistic data below, there’s no denying the sheer power and force of the 308 Winchester, making it the preferred choice for big game hunting
Round #8 – Reloading
Winner – Tie Both the 223 Remington and the 308 Winchester offer excellent reloading capabilities. Reloaders have access to a wide variety of suitable powders, a range of bullet options, and an abundance of brass cartridges available in the secondary market. This abundance of resources makes reloading both the 223 and 308 a satisfying and enjoyable experience. With the ability to customize their ammunition to their rifle’s specifications, hand loaders can easily produce match-grade rounds without the need to purchase expensive match ammunition.
Which is Better, 5.56 NATO or .308?
To be honest, determining a clear winner in this showdown is incredibly difficult, so we’ll have to rely on the judge’s scorecards. But here’s the twist: the judge is YOU!
The real disparity between these two calibers lies in your intended purpose.
If your aim is to take down large North American game, ranging from deer to elk, then look no further than the 308 Winchester paired with hunting soft point ammunition. It will get the job done effectively.
Are you interested in engaging in long-range shooting beyond 500 yards? Once again, the 7.62 caliber takes the lead, especially when paired with high-quality match-grade full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition.
Perhaps you have an abundance of varmints on your ranch and require a lightweight firearm with rapid follow-up shots. In that case, an AR-15 or bolt action rifle chambered in 223 Remington will serve as your ideal choice for hunting small game.
Or maybe you simply want to enjoy some plinking or target shooting at the range with affordable FMJ ammunition. Here, the 5.56 caliber takes the spotlight.
And of course, let’s not forget that exercising your Second Amendment rights and appreciating the freedoms our forefathers fought for is also essential. Why not consider getting both calibers and experiencing the benefits and limitations of both 223 and 308?
No matter which caliber you ultimately choose as the victor of this heavyweight battle, pick something that brings you joy while shooting and head out to the range to see how tight you can make those 100-yard groupings!
And remember, buying in bulk is always a smart choice. Be sure to check out our stock of bulk 308 ammo and 5.56 bulk ammo today!
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