AR Caliber Debate; 5.56/.223 vs. 5.45

[ghengis86]

I'm building an AR and haven't decided on which caliber to use: 5.56 or 5.45.
I can get a case fo 1,080 rds 5.45 for $200 and a case of 1,000 5.56 for ~$300. I'm getting my reloading gear as funds permit so cost is a moderate concern for now. Just like to hear some thoughts on the pros and cons of each. Try to be civil

 

[SWATH]

I've built AR's from scratch, and went through the whole caliber debate years ago. I say go with 5.56mm. It's more expensive but it is all non-corrosive whereas the 5.45mm is cheap because it is all corrosive. The 5.56 is also ballistically superior, it is what the rifle was designed for, and there will be parts galore for it. the 5.45 AR is a bit of a rarity. The 5.56 is also a NATO caliber and is what the military uses so you should always be able to secure some.

Of course you could build a 5.56 upper AND and 5.45 upper to take advantage of the cheaper ammo but be sure to clean that thing thoroughly after every firing and soak it is windex/ammonia to neutralize the corrosive salts. Otherwise stick with the 5.56 for the AR or get an AK74 if you want the 5.45 round.

 

[ghengis86]

I've built AR's from scratch, and went through the whole caliber debate years ago. I say go with 5.56mm. It's more expensive but it is all non-corrosive whereas the 5.45mm is cheap because it is all corrosive. The 5.56 is also ballistically superior, it is what the rifle was designed for, and there will be parts galore for it. the 5.45 AR is a bit of a rarity. The 5.56 is also a NATO caliber and is what the military uses so you should always be able to secure some.

Of course you could build a 5.56 upper AND and 5.45 upper to take advantage of the cheaper ammo but be sure to clean that thing thoroughly after every firing and soak it is windex/ammonia to neutralize the corrosive salts. Otherwise stick with the 5.56 for the AR or get an AK74 if you want the 5.45 round.

okay, didn't know about the corrosive 5.45 aspect. what about Wolf 5.56/.223? I've heard Wolf ammo is dirtier than most

 

[Kalifornia]

5.56. If you are going to build an AR in anything but 5.56, build it in .308 winchester or 6.5 Grendel. Nothing else is worth building, IMO.

As for Wolf ammo, just realize that the steel casings are going to wear out your extractor faster. Be ready to replace parts.

In a perfect world, youd have spare parts on hand anyway.

 

[The Dan]

The new AR 57 uses an AR lower and the upper is modelled off of the FN P90. It's chambered in FN 5.7 and has the 50 rd magazine running along the top of the receiver just like the P90.

 

[Kalifornia]

The new AR 57 uses an AR lower and the upper is modelled off of the FN P90. It's chambered in FN 5.7 and has the 50 rd magazine running along the top of the receiver just like the P90.

how do you spell frankenstein?

 

[Pericles]

I've built AR's from scratch, and went through the whole caliber debate years ago. I say go with 5.56mm. It's more expensive but it is all non-corrosive whereas the 5.45mm is cheap because it is all corrosive. The 5.56 is also ballistically superior, it is what the rifle was designed for, and there will be parts galore for it. the 5.45 AR is a bit of a rarity. The 5.56 is also a NATO caliber and is what the military uses so you should always be able to secure some.

Of course you could build a 5.56 upper AND and 5.45 upper to take advantage of the cheaper ammo but be sure to clean that thing thoroughly after every firing and soak it is windex/ammonia to neutralize the corrosive salts. Otherwise stick with the 5.56 for the AR or get an AK74 if you want the 5.45 round.

This is sound reasoning.

If you think you will need to use your rifle for some purpose in addition to target shooting, you should seriously consider the logistics of spare parts, repair, and ammunition supply. Reloading makes great sense for target shooting, but I would point out that reloading depends on a supply of powder, primer, bullets, and a location for storage and operation, so it is not a replacement for a stockpile. Never mind the idea that you are going to police your brass in a running firefight.

 

[PatriotLegion]

I own a Bushmaster XM-4 (AR15 variant) which is chambered .223/5.56 and I have used wolf ammo for range shooting which no problems. I clean both my rifles when I come back from the range (WASR-10 - 7.62) anyway but I have no issues with wolf ammo which I get for both rifles.

I'd stick to 5.56/.223 IMO. You can also get another upper receiver later down the road.

 

[psywarrior13]

Both are great rounds, really it's a win-win. I am going to agree with the previous posters, who said to start with the 5.56/.223, then just get an upper for the 5.45.

This should be the only caliber debate people have, which one to get next.

 

[SWATH]

okay, didn't know about the corrosive 5.45 aspect. what about Wolf 5.56/.223? I've heard Wolf ammo is dirtier than most

Wolf is fine. Many people hate Wolf because it won't cycle their AR. You have to try it to see if it will cycle as it is a bit underpowered (it is a weak .223, and not 5.56). I have used thousands of rounds of Wolf in training courses without a problem. It was reasonably accurate, about 2-4 MOA. It was dirty for sure but not overly so. You will probably want to clean it roughly every thousand rounds or so to maintain functioning or at least wife the bolt down and re-apply lube. In my opinion if your AR won't cycle Wolf, there is something wrong with it. My home built AR cycle Wolf fine with a heavy 9mm buffer. I started to experience some short cycling around the 800-1000rd marks due to the bolt being dry and gas rings being cruded, just wiping them off and reapplying lube got it back up and running. When cleaning them thoroughly you will be amazed at all the red a black gunk that come out of them.

Many say the extractor wears faster with Wolf and it makes sense, it probably does, but I have not experienced it to any noticable degree. The steel used in the Wolf cases is harder than brass but it is still very very soft for steel.

All in all you should perfectly fine with using Wolf provided your AR cycles it. The trade off in price is met with more frequent and more intensive cleaning.

I must also add Wolf is for plinking/practice only, I would not reccomend it for any serious use. For that use M193, M855, or if you are lucky/rich/Spec-ops use Mk262.

 

[Chosen]

Check your gas tube if you fire wolf. It may change your usage of the lacquered, steel cased devil.

 

[RonPaulFever]

Why not just buy an AK and shoot all the Wolf you want?

I think a lot of people buying AR-15's have deluded themselves into thinking they will instantly become a super deadly sniper ninja if the SHTF.

 

[ghengis86]

Why not just buy an AK and shoot all the Wolf you want?

I think a lot of people buying AR-15's have deluded themselves into thinking they will instantly become a super deadly sniper ninja if the SHTF.

hahaha...true enough for me right now. but i'm planning on making one of the many appleseed events in my state this summer to actually become a super deadly sniper patriot (still working on the ninja skills in the mean time)

 

[Kalifornia]

Why not just buy an AK and shoot all the Wolf you want?

I think a lot of people buying AR-15's have deluded themselves into thinking they will instantly become a super deadly sniper ninja if the SHTF.

If I want to be unable to hit a barn at 100M, Ill stick to slugs.

 

[OddballAZ]

I would stick with 5.56. Everyone has this round and parts for a standard AR-15 in 5.56 are everywhere.

After you get the 5.56 then if you want get a non 5.56 caliber AR. One of my AR's is a 6.8 SPC. It would be my go to gun, however ammo is expensive. I've also gotten some backup parts for it just in case. Unless you reload, I wouldn't even consider 6.8.

 

[Kalifornia]

I would stick with 5.56. Everyone has this round and parts for a standard AR-15 in 5.56 are everywhere.

After you get the 5.56 then if you want get a non 5.56 caliber AR. One of my AR's is a 6.8 SPC. It would be my go to gun, however ammo is expensive. I've also gotten some backup parts for it just in case. Unless you reload, I wouldn't even consider 6.8.

Someday Id like a 6.5 Grendel upper with a thousand or so cases. that is the shizzle.

 

[Chosen]

5.45 is a weird round, with the air pocket and all. I suppose that is to get it to tumble, which I think would reduce its barrier penetration capabilities.

The bullet is about an inch long.

 

[Chosen]

Someday Id like a 6.5 Grendel upper with a thousand or so cases. that is the shizzle.

That's a good choice to have a mid range "sniper" top for an AR15 lower. I am quite impressed with the rounds performance.