Need military-spec ammo? See 5.56 NATO ammo. Not sure which your rifle takes? Read .223 vs 5.56: the difference and which to buy.

Choosing .223 Remington Ammo

Range and practice: 55 gr FMJ from Federal American Eagle, Remington UMC, Fiocchi, Armscor and Scorpio keeps cost per round down, with bulk cases available. Varmint: Hornady V-MAX, NTX and FTX, Fiocchi V-MAX, Winchester Varmint-X and Sierra BlitzKing are built to expand fast on small game. Match: 68–77 gr HPBT from Frontier, Prvi Partizan and DoubleTap. Hunting: Federal Fusion MSR and PMC Bronze soft points.

.223 Remington vs 5.56 NATO

The two cartridges share outside dimensions, but 5.56 NATO is loaded to a different specification and its chamber has a longer leade. A rifle marked 5.56 NATO or .223 Wylde can fire .223 Remington. A rifle marked .223 Remington only should not be fed 5.56 NATO. Always check your barrel marking and your rifle maker’s guidance.

.223 Remington Ammo Guide

.223 Remington is the commercial cartridge the 5.56 NATO grew alongside. It is the common chambering for bolt-action varmint rifles, many AR-15s and some ranch and lightweight rifles. Most .223 is loaded for varmint hunting, target shooting and general range use.

Because .223 Remington is loaded to lower pressure than 5.56 NATO, .223 can be fired in a rifle marked 5.56 NATO or .223 Wylde. The reverse is not recommended: a rifle marked .223 Remington only should not be fed 5.56 unless its manufacturer approves it. Check the barrel stamp.

Best .223 Ammo by Use

Range and Practice

For range use, 55 grain FMJ is the most common and economical load, sold in 20-round boxes and bulk cases. Steel-case and remanufactured options exist from some makers, though brass case factory ammo is the usual choice for reliability.

Self-Defense

For home defense with a .223 rifle, choose an expanding soft-point or polymer-tip load rather than FMJ and test it in your rifle. Varmint bullets are designed to fragment quickly, which is different from a bonded defensive bullet.

Hunting

.223 is one of the classic varmint and predator cartridges: prairie dogs, coyotes and groundhogs, usually with light polymer-tip bullets such as Hornady V-Max, Nosler Ballistic Tip and Sierra BlitzKing. Some hunters use heavier bonded or copper bullets for hogs and, where legal, deer. Many states limit .22 caliber rifles for big game, so check your regulations.

.223 Grain Weights and Bullet Types

Our .223 listings are mostly 55 grain, with 62 and 77 grain options plus lighter varmint bullets. Heavier match bullets such as 69 and 77 grain need a faster twist rifle, so confirm your twist rate first. Bullet types in this category include FMJ, soft point, polymer tip, hollow-point boat-tail match and solid copper.

Quick bullet-type key: FMJ (full metal jacket) is a lead core with a copper jacket that does not expand, the usual range load. JHP (jacketed hollow point) is designed to expand and is the usual defensive load. Soft point and polymer tip bullets are designed to expand and are common for hunting. Solid copper bullets are lead-free and are required for hunting in some areas. Frangible bullets are designed to break up on hard targets and are used at some indoor ranges and steel-target courses.

Brass, Steel and Aluminum Cases

Most .223 is loaded in brass cases, which are the most widely accepted at ranges and can be reloaded. Steel-case ammo, usually lacquer or polymer coated, often costs less per round but cannot be reloaded, and some ranges and some firearms do not accept it. Aluminum-case ammo, such as Blazer, is a budget option that is also not reloadable. Whatever the case material, the product title and box list the exact cartridge, bullet weight and bullet type, so match those to your gun and your use.

Storing .223 Ammo

Store ammunition in a cool, dry place away from heat sources and out of reach of children, ideally locked. Sealed ammo cans with a gasket help keep moisture out for long-term storage. Keep different calibers in labeled containers so the wrong cartridge never ends up in a magazine. If ammo is corroded, dented or has been wet, do not fire it.

.223 Remington Ballistics: Common Loads

Published velocity and energy for common .223 loads from 50 to 75 grain.

Load key: FMJ = full metal jacket; JHP = jacketed hollow point.

Figures are as published by Federal Premium on each product page (checked October 30, 2026). Velocity from your own barrel will differ.

.223 Brands We Carry

As of October 30, 2026, this category lists 109 .223 products. Brands we carry in .223 include Federal, Winchester Ammunition, Fiocchi Ammunition, DoubleTap Ammunition, Hornady, Armscor, STV Technology, Remington, PMC, Barnes, Frontier Cartridge, HSM Ammo, SIG SAUER, Atomic Ammunition, Nosler, Prvi Partizan, Sierra Bullets, Aguila Ammunition, Ammo Inc, CorBon and Lapua. Stock changes daily, so filter by availability in the grid above.

Buying .223 in Bulk vs by the Box

A 20- or 50-round box is the cheapest way to try a load in your gun. Once you know what runs well, larger cases of 250, 500 or 1,000 rounds almost always cost less per round. To compare listings fairly, divide the price by the round count to get the cost per round, and include shipping. Orders of $500 or more ship free, which usually makes a case the better deal. See what .223 has been costing in our Ammo Price Index, and browse bulk ammo.

How to Choose .223 Ammo

• Confirm the cartridge stamped on your barrel matches the box exactly.
• Pick the bullet type for the job: FMJ for practice, expanding bullets for defense and hunting.
• Buy a small quantity first and test it in your gun, then buy in bulk.
• Check your range rules for steel case, steel core or bi-metal bullets.
• Check your state and local laws before ordering.

Shipping and State Laws

Orders of $500 or more ship free. Ammunition orders under $500 ship for $15.99. Ammunition is not returnable. You must be of legal age to buy ammunition, and some states and cities restrict ammo shipments, require a license or background check, or limit certain bullet types. Read our ammo and magazine laws by state before ordering. Tactical Surplus USA has been selling firearms, ammunition and gear since 2022.

Related Calibers, Guides and Firearms

Related ammo: 5.56 NATO ammo, .223 vs 5.56 explained, .308 Winchester ammo, 300 Blackout ammo. Comparisons: 300 Blackout vs 5.56, ammo caliber chart. Shop AR-15 rifles, bolt-action rifles, rifle magazines.