Best AR-15 Ammo (5.56 / .223)
Bulk practice ammo, defensive loads, and the 5.56-vs-.223 chamber-pressure thing you must know.
The Bottom Line
For range and training, the AR-15 runs happily on inexpensive bulk 55gr or 62gr FMJ, and buying in case quantity is the cheapest way to feed it. For defense, shooters typically choose a quality bonded or controlled-expansion load (such as Federal Fusion/Tactical, Hornady TAP, or Speer Gold Dot) chosen for terminal performance and reduced over-penetration relative to ball ammo.
One safety point every AR owner should know: 5.56 NATO is loaded to higher pressure than .223 Remington. A rifle chambered in 5.56 (or .223 Wylde) can safely fire both, but a rifle marked .223 only should not be fed 5.56. Check the stamp on your barrel. As always, confirm any defensive load cycles reliably in your rifle before relying on it.