Linked Ammo Guide: M27 vs M13 Links, 5.56 and 7.62 Belts

Linked ammo, also called belted ammo, is rifle ammunition joined by metal links into one continuous belt so a belt-fed gun can feed it. This linked ammo guide covers which link fits which cartridge (M27 for 5.56, M13 for 7.62 NATO, M9 for .50 BMG), belts versus full cans, why linked costs more per round than loose ammo, and how it ships. To buy, see our belted and linked ammo.

What linked ammo is

Each link holds one cartridge and hooks onto the next link. Modern military links are disintegrating links: when the gun strips a round out of the belt, that link falls free and is ejected, so the belt comes apart as it fires. The links are steel and sized for one cartridge, which is why a 5.56 belt will not run in a 7.62 gun and the other way around.

Linked ammo is made for belt-fed guns: the M249 and the semi-auto FN M249S, the M240 and M60 family, belt-fed AR-15 uppers, and the M2 in .50 BMG. A magazine-fed rifle cannot use a belt. You can pull rounds out of the links and load them into magazines, but you pay extra for links you are throwing away.

M27 links vs M13 links vs M9 links

M27 links are for 5.56x45mm NATO. They are the links an M249 or M249S feeds, and the most common linked ammo sold in the US. Typical loads on M27 links are M855 62 grain green tip, M193 55 grain ball, and 4:1 belts that put one M856 tracer after every four ball rounds.

M13 links are for 7.62x51mm NATO, the military version of .308 Winchester. They feed the M240, the M60 and 7.62 belt-fed uppers. The usual load is M80 147 grain ball. Our .308 Winchester ammo guide explains how 7.62x51 and .308 differ.

M9 links are for .50 BMG in the M2. Linked .50 BMG is the heaviest and most expensive per round of the three. See .50 BMG ammo.

5.56 linked vs 7.62 linked

Linked 5.56 is lighter, cheaper per round and easier to find. Linked 7.62 NATO hits harder and reaches farther, but each round weighs about twice as much as a 5.56 round and usually costs about twice as much. Most civilian belt-fed owners shoot 5.56 because the M249S and most belt-fed uppers are 5.56 guns. Read our 5.56 NATO ammo guide for the difference between M855 and M193.

By the belt or by the can

Linked ammo is sold two ways. A short belt of 100 or 200 rounds, often in a soft pouch or a box magazine, is easy to carry and start on a range day. A sealed ammo can, commonly 800 rounds of linked 5.56 or 200 to 250 rounds of linked 7.62, is the stock-up buy and almost always costs less per round. A full can of linked 5.56 weighs well over 20 pounds.

Why linked ammo costs more per round

You pay for the links and the work of linking, so a linked belt costs more per round than the same load loose in a box. Short belts in pouches cost the most per round. Full cans cost the least. If you only need ammo for a magazine-fed rifle, loose 5.56x45mm NATO is the better buy.

Tracers and range rules

Tracers burn as they fly and can start fires. Many ranges ban them, and Arizona land managers often limit target shooting in fire season. M855 green tip has a steel penetrator, and some indoor ranges do not allow it. Check your range rules before you bring a belt.

Storing linked ammo

Keep belts in a sealed ammo can with the lid gasket in good shape. Steel links can rust if they sit in humidity, and a rusty or bent link can cause a stoppage. Do not leave a can in a hot car in Phoenix summer. More in how long ammo lasts in storage.

How linked ammo ships

You must be 21 or older to order. Orders ship from our Phoenix shop by UPS Ground, and shipping is charged by weight, so a full can of linked ammo costs more to ship than a belt. Some states have their own ammunition rules; see where we ship before you order. In the Phoenix area you can skip shipping with ammo pickup.

Linked ammo questions

What is linked ammo?

Linked ammo is ammunition joined by metal links into a belt that feeds a belt-fed gun such as an M249, M249S, M240 or M60. Each link holds one round, and with disintegrating links each link drops free as its round is fired.

Is belted ammo the same as linked ammo?

Usually, yes. Belted ammo and linked ammo both mean rounds on a belt of links. One exception: a belted magnum cartridge, such as .300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag, has a raised belt on the case near the base. That is a cartridge design, not a linked belt.

What links does 5.56 use?

5.56x45mm NATO uses M27 links. They fit the M249, the FN M249S and 5.56 belt-fed uppers.

What links does 7.62 NATO use?

7.62x51mm NATO uses M13 links, which feed the M240, the M60 and 7.62 belt-fed uppers. Follow your gun maker's guidance on whether it is rated for commercial .308 Winchester as well as 7.62 NATO.

Can I use linked ammo in an AR-15?

Not as a belt. An AR-15 feeds from magazines. You can take rounds out of the links and load them into magazines, but you pay for links you do not need, so loose ammo is the cheaper way to feed an AR-15.

Is linked ammo legal to buy?

Linked ammo is sold as ordinary ammunition in most of the US, and links and belts are not NFA items. Some states have their own ammunition rules. You must be 21 or older to order from us. Check where we ship for your state.

Is a can or a belt cheaper per round?

A full sealed can is almost always cheaper per round than a short belt, and a belt in a soft pouch is the most expensive per round because you also pay for the pouch.

How should I store linked ammo?

Keep it in a sealed ammo can, indoors, near room temperature. Keep the links dry so they do not rust, and check a belt for bent links before you load it.

Shop belted and linked ammo, or read more answers in our ammo FAQ.