Best 5.56 Range Ammo 2027: Top Picks for AR-15 Practice

For most AR-15 range practice in 2027, a brass-case 55 grain or 62 grain full metal jacket such as Federal American Eagle M855, MKE SS109 or a 55 grain M193-type load is the strongest choice, bought by the case. If your range bans steel-core bullets, use a lead-core 55 grain load instead.

Updated October 2026 for 2027.

Top picks for 2027

1. Federal American Eagle 5.56 M855 62 grain FMJ (XM855). US-made M855-type ball with a steel penetrator in a brass case. Federal lists its XM855 62 grain FMJ boat tail at 3,020 fps. It suits high-volume shooters at outdoor ranges that allow steel core. We stock it: Federal American Eagle M855 62 grain, in 150 and 600-round packs.

2. MKE 5.56 SS109 62 grain FMJ battle pack (AM8303). SS109 ball from MKE, the Turkish state maker, with a steel core, brass case and Boxer primer. MKE lists 914.4 m/s measured at 23.7 meters, about 3,000 fps, and builds it to STANAG 4172. It suits buyers who want the most rounds in one pack. We stock it: MKE SS109 battle pack, 450 rounds per bag or 2,250 per crate.

3. PMC Bronze .223 Remington 55 grain FMJ-BT (223A). A lead-core 55 grain practice load. PMC lists 2,900 fps from a 16-inch barrel and 3,200 fps from a 24-inch barrel. SAAMI says .223 Remington is fine in a 5.56 military-spec chamber. It suits ranges that ban steel core and shooters with .223-marked barrels. We stock it: PMC Bronze .223 55 grain, in 20, 200, 500 and 1,000-round packs.

4. BVAC remanufactured Lake City 5.56 M855 62 grain (LC556M855-500). Remanufactured ammunition built on Lake City brass. We found no published maker spec sheet, so we list no velocity for it. It suits plinkers who are comfortable with remanufactured ammo. We stock it: BVAC remanufactured Lake City M855, in 500-round packs. See remanufactured vs new.

5. Federal American Eagle 5.56 55 grain FMJ-BT (AE193). Federal's M193-type 55 grain load. Federal lists 3,165 fps and 20 rounds per box. It suits shooters who want lead-core 5.56 at full 5.56 pressure. We do not stock this load.

6. PMC X-Tac 5.56 62 grain green tip (556K). PMC lists 2,920 fps from a 16-inch barrel and 3,100 fps from a 20-inch barrel. We carry it at times, but it is sold out right now, so treat it as a load we do not stock today.

How we picked

Picks are based on manufacturer specifications, published standards from SAAMI, FBI-protocol statements only where the manufacturer itself publishes them, law-enforcement adoption only where it is publicly documented, and long-running shooter consensus. We did not run our own ballistic tests for this page. Every velocity and spec here is the maker's published figure, usually from a test barrel, so results from your own gun will differ.

How to choose 5.56 range ammo

• Check your barrel marking. SAAMI says firing 5.56 in a barrel marked .223 Remington only is not safe. A 5.56 chamber takes both. See 5.56 vs .223.
• Check range rules on steel core. M855 and SS109 have a steel penetrator inside the bullet, and many indoor ranges ban it. A magnet on the bullet tip tells you. Lead-core 55 grain loads like PMC Bronze avoid the problem.
• Buy by the case if you shoot often. Larger packs mean fewer orders. See bulk green tip M855.
• Keep one load for zeroing. Point of impact can shift between loads, so zero with what you shoot most.

Buying 5.56 in Phoenix

All four in-stock loads above sit at our Phoenix warehouse, listed in 5.56x45mm NATO and .223 Remington. A 2,250-round MKE crate is heavy, so many local buyers pick up in Phoenix, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with ID. Orders ship UPS Ground from Phoenix within 2 business days, charged by weight and never free. See where we ship. You must be 21 or older to order.

Desert ranges get hot. Keep cases in the cab, not a truck bed in the sun, and store spare ammo indoors, as SAAMI advises cool and dry storage. More detail in our 5.56 NATO ammo guide and AR-15 range practice guide.

5.56 range ammo questions

Is M855 or M193 better for range practice?

Both work for paper at outdoor ranges that allow them. For steel targets, follow the target maker's rules too: many steel targets are not rated for M855's steel penetrator. M855 is a 62 grain steel-penetrator bullet that many indoor ranges ban. M193-type loads are 55 grain lead core and are welcome in more places.

Can I shoot .223 in a 5.56 rifle?

Yes. SAAMI says .223 Remington is fine in a 5.56 military-spec chamber. The reverse, 5.56 in a barrel marked .223 only, is not recommended.

What is a battle pack?

A sealed bag of loose or boxed rounds in place of many small retail boxes. Our MKE SS109 comes 450 rounds per bag and five bags, 2,250 rounds, per crate.

Is remanufactured 5.56 safe?

Remanufactured ammo is reloaded on fired cases by a commercial maker. Many shooters use it for practice. If your rifle maker or range forbids it, buy new-production M855 or .223 instead.