.22 / 5.6 mm Calibers Comparison

The 5.6mm (.22 caliber) family encompasses a wide variety of cartridges, most of which are designed for different purposes, from small-game hunting to competitive shooting and military applications. The .22 caliber refers to the diameter of the bullet, and within this caliber family, there are several popular cartridges, including rimfire and centerfire types. Below is a comprehensive review of the top 10 5.6mm/.22 caliber cartridges, highlighting their characteristics and typical applications.

.223 Remington: The .223 Remington is a centerfire cartridge with a bullet diameter of 5.7mm (.224 inches). It typically fires bullets between 40 to 77 grains at velocities ranging from 2,700 to 3,700 fps, depending on the load. Application: Widely used in military (as 5.56x45mm NATO) and civilian settings, the .223 Remington is favored for varmint hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. It’s renowned for its accuracy and versatility across different platforms.

5.56x45mm NATO: The military counterpart of the .223 Remington, the 5.56 NATO is designed to withstand higher pressures. Its projectiles typically range from 55 to 77 grains with similar velocities to the .223. Application: Commonly used by military forces around the world, it’s also popular in civilian AR-15 rifles. It’s effective for tactical applications, self-defense, and competitive shooting.

.22 Hornet: The .22 Hornet is a centerfire rifle cartridge that typically fires bullets between 35 and 55 grains at velocities ranging from 2,500 to 3,100 fps. Application: Known for its accuracy and flat trajectory, the .22 Hornet is used in small-game hunting and varmint control. It’s also considered a good round for beginners in centerfire rifle shooting due to its moderate recoil.

.22-250 Remington: The .22-250 Remington is a high-velocity, centerfire cartridge that can propel bullets between 40 and 65 grains at velocities up to 4,000 fps. Application: It’s a popular choice for long-range varmint hunting, thanks to its extremely flat trajectory and high speed, making it effective for taking down small to medium game at long distances.

.224 Valkyrie: The .224 Valkyrie is a relatively new cartridge designed for long-range shooting. It typically fires bullets weighing 60-90 grains at velocities around 2,700 to 3,000 fps. Application: Designed for precision and long-range competition shooting, the .224 Valkyrie excels in maintaining supersonic speeds at extended ranges, making it a favorite for tactical and competitive marksmen.

5.45x39mm: Millitary cartridge, often compared to the 5.56 NATO, fires bullets weighing 53 to 60 grains at velocities between 2,800 and 3,000 fps. Application: Used primarily in the AK-74 rifle, the 5.45x39mm is designed for military use but is also popular in civilian AK-platform rifles for tactical shooting and training.

.222 Remington: The .222 Remington is a centerfire cartridge that fires bullets weighing 40 to 55 grains at velocities between 2,700 and 3,500 fps. Application: Known for its accuracy, it is used in benchrest and varmint hunting. It was once popular for small-game hunting but has been somewhat overshadowed by the .223 Remington.