5.56 and 30-06 are some of the most popular cartridges on the market. Because these are some of the biggest rounds on the market, it only makes sense to compare them. So without any further ado, let’s see which cartridge is better and why.
Here is the short answer:
There is no real definitive answer as to which one is better because they are for two different purposes. The 30-06 is a heavy-hitting cartridge primarily used for hunting big game. On the other hand, 556 is a light-hitting cartridge used mostly for hunting varmints and target shooting.
Now let’s take a look at the best applications for each cartridge and why you would want one over the other.
Best applications for each cartridge
As mentioned in the short answer, they have different applications, so let’s take a look at those applications.
556/223
As mentioned earlier, the 5.56–pronounced five-five-six–is best used for varmint hunting and target shooting. The 5.56 was originally the 223–pronounced two-two-three–which was designed by Remington arms and was then was militarized by FN, making the 556 NATO. (The term 556 is often interchanged with 223 because the cartridges are identical other than case thickness and pressure),
Note: You can not shoot 5.56 NATO in a 223 rifle, but you can shoot the 223 in a 556 rifle. The reason you can’t shoot 556 in a 223 is because 556 is a higher pressure round than 223. However, you can shoot 556 or 223 in a 223 Wylde
Out of a 22-inch barrel, the 556 is a very devastating cartridge. When it reaches peak velocity (around 3400 FPS which is usually achieved in a 22-inch barrel), the 556 will often fragment and keyhole making a devastating wound. this wound will lead to a quick kill in smaller animals. But in an AR15 platform, the barrel length is usually 16 inches so you can’t reach peak velocity like you could in a bolt action.
The 556 is a favorite among target shooters because it is light recoiling and cheap to shoot. It is also available in pretty much all sporting stores around the world.
All that said, the 556 still has its downfalls. The 556, while deadly when it has reached the right velocity, is not a very powerful cartridge. The 556 only yields about 1200 foot-pounds at the muzzle. 1200 foot-pounds is just over the recommended amount to kill a deer (1000 foot-pounds is considered the minimum foot-pounds of energy to kill a deer. However, many people have killed deer with just over 500 foot-pounds out of a subsonic 300 Blackout).
30-06
The 30-06 was developed in 1906 and adopted by the military soon after. It was used in 1903 Springfield and M1 Garand rifles in both world wars. After the world wars were over, a lot of the old service rifles were used to hunt big game. People soon found out that the 30-06 works pretty well for hunting big game animals.
The cartridge comes in grain weights from 110 to 210 grains, making it have some of the most variability in grain weight of any cartridge. Because you can get 100 grains of different weight, you can hunt every big game animal in North America by using heavier 190-200-grain bullets for elk and moose and use 150-grain bullets for deer. This variability also makes it a favorite among handloaders because they can experiment with different weights.
The 30-06 is a favorite among big game hunters because it has enough energy to kill elk and moose with heavier bullets. The 180-grain bullets have upwards of 3000 foot-pounds of energy. But not only can you use bigger bullets on big game, but you can also use lighter bullets on smaller game, such as deer or antelope. You can also get 110-grain bullets and hunt varmints like coyotes and prairie dogs.
The biggest problem with the 30-06 is recoil. While it is a great hunting cartridge with plenty of power, it can hurt to shoot. However, the 30-06 is considered the biggest round the average shooter can shoot accurately. the 30-06 does not have as much recoil as rounds such as the 300 Winchester magnum which is another popular big game hunting cartridge.
Which one is better
Now for the in-depth answer as to Which one is better. To answer this question we need to look at the calibers in every aspect. Doing so will allow us to see at what application you would want one round over the other.
Power. When you compare the power of the two cartridges, you will see the 30-06 is stronger. To be exact the 30-06 has 1800 more foot-pounds than the 556. So if you want to shoot long-range or hunt big game, then you would want the 30-06. The 30-06 is a bigger caliber and has more powder compacity than the 556, so it will have more power.
Price. When it comes to price, the 556 wins. The 556 runs around 25-99 cents a shot. But the 30-06 is a lot more expensive, a 30-06 round will run 1-3 dollars a shot. Now if we weren’t in a nationwide ammo shortage the prices would be lower.
Availability. While both rounds are very common, the 556 is more available than 30-06. The reason for this is because the 556 is used by many militaries around the world so the round is going to be more available. This, however, is not something to worry about because you will still find both rounds quite easily.
Shootabilaty (This category concludes price to shoot, recoil, and versatility to see how fun to shoot and versatile the round is.) This is a tie: The 30-06 is better for reloading and more versatile when it comes to big game hunting and long-range shooting, but the 556 has less recoil and is cheaper making it more fun to shoot and easier to handle.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a hunting, long-range shooting, handloading, and versatile rifle then you will want the 30-06. If you want a fun and cheap plinking rifle in an ar15 platform or otherwise, you will want a 556.
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