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The knives had been out for the service rifle America entered the war with-the M14, chambered in. The 5.56 NATO origin story runs through the turbulent 1960s and the Vietnam War. But each was dialed in for much different operational settings, and thus excel in different areas. Both were tailored for military service, and used the Soviets’ 7.62×39mm cartridge as their measuring stick. This is especially true when it comes to the 5.56 NATO and 300 Blackout. Most times, the history of a cartridge’s development sheds light on its particular aptitudes, given they were tinkered to specific performance specifications. There are few dividing lines quite as bright as the one drawn between the two most popular AR cartridges on the market. 300 Blackout is the second-most popular AR chambering of all time and arguably earned consumer shooters’ respect quicker than even the old standby AR cartridge.įor those who don’t already have both in their gun locker, the 300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO question is pertinent. 30-caliber cartridge’s popularity and stability are impressive, especially for an AR option dubbed by many naysayers as a “flash in the pan” from the start. AR-smiths across the board offer the latter, not so the former. Most have proven mere pestering flies to the king, but not the 300 Blackout.Īdmittedly, Blackout-formally known as the 300 ACC Blackout-is still very much a niche chambering compared to the 5.56 NATO. military more than one contender has attempted to knock it off its throne. As it goes, success breeds competition, and since its adoption by the U.S. Its fortunes tied to America’s most popular rifle-the AR-15-the small-bore thunderbolt has become among the most shot centerfire cartridges in the world. 30-caliber is hands down the more suppressible of the two, with ample subsonic loads available.īy now, most everybody knows the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. 300 Blackout is less finicky about barrel length and is excellent out of SBRs.22-caliber also performs better out a longer barrel. Thanks to its higher velocities, the 5.56 is much more adept at longer ranges.Similarities between the cartridges end with them sharing the same case and being tailored for military use.The Bright Line Between 300 Blackout and 5.56 NATO: The 300 Blackout Vs 5.56 conversation is like debating apples and oranges.
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