When it comes to comparing different firearm cartridges, there are numerous factors to consider, including ballistics, intended use, and availability. In this article, we will compare the 45 ACP and the 223 Remington cartridges. Both are popular choices in the firearms community, but they have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different applications.
Here is the short answer:
The 45 ACP is a pistol cartridge that has less power and worse ballistics at long range. However, the 45 ACP is a far lighter cartridge and when put into a rifle system, can be a very effective round for preppers.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge like what their ballistics are, what each cartridge is used for, and how the two cartridges compare in-depth.
In-Depth Look at the 45 ACP
The 45 ACP, or Automatic Colt Pistol, was developed by John Browning in the early 1900s and has since become a popular choice for self-defense and law enforcement. Here are some key features of the 45 ACP:
Ballistics: The 45 ACP typically fires a heavy bullet, commonly 230 grains, at a relatively moderate velocity. It delivers significant stopping power in comparison to most other carry rounds, making it effective for self-defense scenarios.
Recoil: Due to the larger bullet diameter and moderate velocity, the 45 ACP generates noticeable but very controllable recoil than its more common 9mm or 380 ACP counter parts which can make shooting this pistol caliber difficult for smaller shooters.
Ammunition Availability: The 45 ACP is widely available and can be found in various bullet types, including hollow points for self-defense and full metal jacket for range training.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 45 ACP with a 230-grain FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -0.9 | 0 | 890 | 404 |
| 25 | 1 | 0.1 | 872 | 389 |
| 50 | 0 | 0.6 | 856 | 374 |
| 75 | -4 | 1.4 | 840 | 360 |
| 100 | -11 | 2.4 | 824 | 347 |
| 125 | -21.2 | 3.7 | 809 | 335 |
| 150 | -34.7 | 5.3 | 795 | 323 |
| 175 | -51.6 | 7.2 | 781 | 312 |
| 200 | -72.2 | 9.4 | 768 | 301 |
In-Depth Look at the 223 Remington
The 223 Remington, also known as the 5.56x45mm NATO to the military, was introduced in the 1960s and has become one of the most popular rifle cartridges. Here are some key features of the 223 Remington:
Ballistics: The 223 Remington fires a smaller, lighter bullet typically weighing between 55 and 77 grains at high velocities. However, the 223 Remington is not ver powerful and it is not often considered suitable for deer-sized game past 150 yards.
Versatility: The 223 Remington is a cartridge suitable for target shooting, varmint hunting, and even home defense.
Ammunition Availability: The 223 Remington is readily available and is produced by numerous manufacturers, offering a wide selection of bullet types and loads for different shooting needs.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 223 Remington with a 55-grain jacketed soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3240 | 1282 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.3 | 3053 | 1138 |
| 100 | 0 | 1 | 2874 | 1008 |
| 150 | -0.8 | 2.3 | 2701 | 891 |
| 200 | -2.7 | 4.3 | 2536 | 785 |
| 250 | -6 | 6.9 | 2376 | 689 |
| 300 | -10.9 | 10.2 | 2222 | 603 |
| 350 | -17.5 | 14.4 | 2074 | 525 |
| 400 | -26.1 | 19.4 | 1931 | 455 |
| 450 | -37.1 | 25.4 | 1795 | 393 |
| 500 | -51.1 | 32.7 | 1667 | 339 |
In-Depth Comparison
Now, let’s compare the 45 ACP and the 223 Remington in several key aspects:
Application: The 45 ACP is primarily used for self-defense in pistol platforms, while the 223 Remington is commonly used for target shooting, and varmint hunting in an AR-15 rifle platform.
Ballistics: The 223 Remington far outperforms the 45 ACP in all ways when it comes to ballistics, it has better trajectory, more energy, less wind drift, and travels at much higher velocity. However, this is expected as the 223 Remington has a vastly larger case than the 45 ACP.
Magazine Capacity: The 223 Remington, being a rifle cartridge, allows for larger magazine capacities compared to the 45 ACP in handguns. This can be advantageous in scenarios where a higher round count is desired such as home defence.
Recoil: The 45 ACP and the 223 Remington are in two different rifle platforms so the recoil is not that compatible. However, if you were to chamber the same two rifles in 45 ACP and 223 the 45 ACP would have significantly less recoil.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 45 ACP and the 223 Remington are different cartridges designed for different purposes. The 45 ACP is a pistol cartridge known for its stopping power, while the 223 Remington is a rifle cartridge known for its high velocity and accuracy.