Difference between revisions of "5.56 Velocity by Barrel Length"

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| 16.5" || 2632 fps || 2968 fps || -- || --
 
| 16.5" || 2632 fps || 2968 fps || -- || --
 
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| 16" || -- || -- || 3079 fps || 3257 fps
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| 16" || -- || -- || 3079 fps || 3257 fps
 
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| 14" || 2524 fps || 2808 fps || 2909 fps || 3099 fps
 
| 14" || 2524 fps || 2808 fps || 2909 fps || 3099 fps
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| 11" || -- || 2579 fps || -- || --
 
| 11" || -- || 2579 fps || -- || --
 
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| 10" || 2314 fps || 2489 fps || 2682 fps ||
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| 10" || 2314 fps || 2489 fps || 2682 fps || 2776
 
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| 9" || -- || 2403 fps || -- || --
 
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== Best Barrel Length For 5.56 NATO ==
 
== Best Barrel Length For 5.56 NATO ==

Revision as of 01:53, 19 January 2023

Velocity by barrel length for 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. Information is from multiple sources including RifleShooter.com and Sonoran Desert Institute. We'll also discuss best barrel length for something like an AR-15 pistol as well as "SPR" type setup below, to help you to better navigate various typical barrel length offerings.

We'll also include velocity data for .223 Remington below, for easy access.

Barrel Length Federal XM193 (55 gr. FMJ) Winchester M855 (62 gr. Penetrator)
26" 3431 fps 3280 fps
25" 3426 fps 3229 fps
24" 3409 fps 3188 fps
23" 3350 fps 3169 fps
22" 3366 fps 3158 fps
21" 3305 fps 3117 fps
20" 3306 fps 3097 fps
19" 3259 fps 3060 fps
18" 3202 fps 3052 fps
17" 3151 fps 2972 fps
16.5" 3187 fps 2992 fps
14" 3039 fps 2808 fps
13" 2974 fps 2694 fps
12" 2919 fps 2646 fps
11" 2834 fps 2579 fps
10" 2767 fps 2489 fps
9" 2662 fps 2403 fps
8" 2520 fps 2296 fps
7" 2410 fps 2135 fps
6" 2202 fps 1955 fps

.223 Remington Velocity by Barrel Length

Barrel Length Black Hills 68 gr. Match Remington UMC 55 gr. FMJ Remington UMC 50 gr. JHP Remington UMC 45 gr. JHP
26" 2849 fps 3182 fps -- --
25" 2828 fps 3221 fps -- --
24" 2804 fps 3211 fps -- --
23" 2775 fps 3131 fps -- --
22" 2774 fps 3111 fps -- --
21" 2762 fps 3090 fps -- --
20" 2740 fps 3071 fps -- --
19" 2699 fps 3028 fps -- --
18" 2679 fps 3006 fps 3179 fps 3354 fps
17" 2652 fps 2922 fps -- --
16.5" 2632 fps 2968 fps -- --
16" -- -- 3079 fps 3257 fps
14" 2524 fps 2808 fps 2909 fps 3099 fps
13" -- 2694 fps -- --
12" 2424 fps 2646 fps 2964 fps 2943
11" -- 2579 fps -- --
10" 2314 fps 2489 fps 2682 fps 2776
9" -- 2403 fps -- --
8" 2121 fps 2296 fps 2478 fps 2536 fps
7" -- 2135 fps -- --
6" 1865 fps 1955 fps 2153 fps 2189 fps
5" -- -- 1921 fps 1939 fps
4" -- -- 1674 fps 1709 fps
3" -- -- 1276 1277 fps

Best Barrel Length For 5.56 NATO

For Subsonic Loads

Based on the data above, it appears that for subsonic loads such as 220 grain (where the .300 BLK really shines), barrel length can be an afterthought, particularly if you plan on using a suppressor. Something like a 7.5" barrel with an appropriate 7 to 8 inch suppressor would allow for a package that is still shorter and a little handier than a typical 16" barrel setup. Keep in mind that many manufacturers will not warranty their suppressors on barrels shorter than around 7.5 inches. This would still make a handy setup for military and law enforcement applications, as well as home defense or just a fun recreational setup for novelty.

For Maximum Velocity

If one were so inclined to use their 5.56mm setup as a full barrel length "AK replacement" in an AR-15 platform and without a suppressor, a 16" barrel will of course give you the most velocity out of any load, and more energy out of subsonic loads as well. Of course, adding a suppressor to that setup would give you a functional barrel length of over 22", which is not particularly handy. This could be acceptable for 5.56 but not as justifiable in a shorter range .300 Blackout rifle. Also, with the added length of the suppressor, some subsonic loads might break the sound barrier, so this is also something to consider beforehand.

Best Overall Barrel Length for 5.56 NATO

The major question still comes down to whether you plan on using a silencer or not. If strictly looking for quietest and best handling setup, one could easily go as short as 5.5" which is offered by a number of manufacturers. Remember, a 7 to 8 inch suppressor will add velocity and make up for such a short barrel, but not fully. Overall a good compromise would be a barrel in the 7" to 9" range, which will offer an overall barrel length of about 14 to 16", granting solid muzzle velocity with all loads, handling that is slightly better or similar to a typical 16" carbine setup, and has the benefit of having a suppressor attached. 7.5" would probably be your best bet overall with a suppressor, especially since this is the minimum warranty barrel length for most suppressor manufacturers. If you want maximum velocity with a barrel still shorter than the norm and don't plan on using a suppressor, 12.5" is a great choice for a pistol style setup. And even if you opted to add one, you're still around (or just under) 20 inch barrel length, which isn't terribly excessive. Another thing to note is that shorter and thicker suppressors are out there, such as the Brevis II line from Delta P (5.5 inches long). This would allow a 12.5" barrel to make much more sense, but suppressors like that are not cheap.

Other Information

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