223 ammo

223 ammo — the .223 Remington — is the civilian standard for the AR-15 and bolt-action varmint rifles: a flat-shooting, low-recoil .224-inch cartridge that’s cheap to shoot, deadly on coyotes and prairie dogs, and effective on deer where legal. It’s one of the best-selling rifle rounds in America, prized for accuracy and affordability. The questions buyers ask most are how it relates to 5.56 and whether it’s enough gun for deer — both covered below, along with load types and buying.

Tatted Tacticals stocks .223 from Hornady, Federal, Winchester, PMC, and Black Hills — 55-grain FMJ for the range, 35- to 64-grain varmint loads, and 69- to 77-grain match, in boxes and bulk. Browse brand lineups from Hornady and Winchester.

.223 vs. 5.56: What You Need to Know

The .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO share the same case and bullet, but 5.56 is loaded to higher pressure. You can safely fire .223 in any 5.56- or .223-chambered rifle — the reverse isn’t always safe. So if your barrel is marked .223, shoot .223; if it’s 5.56 or .223 Wylde, you can run either. The two are functionally interchangeable for the .223 shooter, with 5.56 simply being the hotter military-spec version.

Load Types: Varmint, Match, and Range

The .223 covers three jobs. Light 35- to 55-grain polymer-tip and hollow-point varmint loads open explosively on coyotes and prairie dogs. Standard 55-grain FMJ is the economical range and plinking choice. Heavy 69- to 77-grain match bullets deliver the accuracy and wind resistance for precision and longer-range work in fast-twist barrels. For deer, choose a quality 60- to 64-grain controlled-expansion bullet where the cartridge is legal. Our .223 ballistic data compares loads head-to-head.

Buying .223 in Bulk

Like 5.56, .223 is produced in huge volume, so bulk cases and buckets are the cheapest way to feed an AR or varmint rifle. At a maximum pressure per SAAMI specifications slightly below 5.56, it’s accurate, affordable, and widely available. Varmint hunters also look at the faster .22-250 and the larger .243 for bigger game.

Buying .223 Ammo Online

Federal law sets the minimum age for rifle ammunition at 18; some states and cities add restrictions, so per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules and review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

.223 Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

Are .223 and 5.56 the same ammo?

They share the same case and bullet but differ in pressure: 5.56 NATO is loaded hotter than .223 Remington. You can safely shoot .223 in a 5.56 rifle, but firing 5.56 in a .223-only chamber can exceed safe pressure. If your barrel is marked .223 Wylde or 5.56, either works; if it’s .223, stick to .223.

Is .223 the same as .300 Blackout?

No. They are different cartridges. The .300 Blackout uses a larger .308-inch bullet on a shortened, necked-up case and shares only the AR-15 magazine with .223. The two are not interchangeable, and mixing them up is dangerous — never chamber .300 BLK in a .223/5.56 barrel.

Is .223 overkill for deer?

It’s actually on the lighter side for deer, not overkill. Where legal, a .223 with a quality 60- to 64-grain controlled-expansion bullet cleanly takes deer at moderate range with good shot placement, and many hunters use it successfully. Some states set caliber minimums that exclude it, so check local regulations and choose a proper hunting bullet, not FMJ.

How much should .223 cost?

As a high-volume cartridge, .223 is among the most affordable centerfire rifle rounds, especially in bulk FMJ. Premium varmint and match loads cost more per round but are bought in smaller amounts. Buying bulk for practice and reserving specialty loads for hunting or precision is the most economical approach.

Can you buy .223 ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy .223 online and have it shipped to your door. The minimum age for rifle ammunition is 18, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.