Two popular cartridges have been used in various military and law enforcement applications. But why are these cartridges used for different applications? What are they used for? And how do they compare? In this article, we seek to answer all those questions and more.
Here is the short answer:
The 338 Lapua is an excellent choice for long-range shooting, thanks to its exceptional long-range accuracy, extended effective range, and heavy bullet weight. On the other hand, the 5.56 NATO is a versatile cartridge ideal for short- to medium-range engagements but is too small to be used for hunting anything bigger than deer.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closely at each cartridge, their applications, their ballistics, and how they compare in depth.
In-Depth Look at the 338 Lapua
The 338 Lapua Magnum was developed in the 1980s to meet the needs of military snipers and long-range competitive shooters. It is a rimless, bottlenecked cartridge capable of propelling a heavy .338 caliber bullet with extremely high energy. The 338 Lapua cartridge is designed to maintain supersonic velocities out to ranges exceeding 1500 yards, making it ideal for long-range shooting.
The 338 Lapua is a good choice for long-range shooting because of its heavy bullet weight and high bullet BC. These factors allow it to maintain maximum energy downrange and retain velocity better than other cartridges.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 338 Lapua with a 300-grain Accubond bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2650 | 4678 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.1 | 2588 | 4461 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.4 | 2527 | 4253 |
| 150 | -1.3 | 1 | 2467 | 4053 |
| 200 | -3.9 | 1.8 | 2407 | 3860 |
| 250 | -8.1 | 3 | 2349 | 3674 |
| 300 | -13.9 | 4.4 | 2291 | 3495 |
| 350 | -21.3 | 6.2 | 2234 | 3324 |
| 400 | -30.5 | 8.3 | 2178 | 3159 |
| 450 | -41.6 | 10.6 | 2122 | 3000 |
| 500 | -54.5 | 13.2 | 2068 | 2847 |
In-Depth Look at the 5.56 NATO
The 5.56 NATO cartridge was developed in the early 1960s for military use in the M-16 rifle platform. It is a lightweight, intermediate cartridge that is extremely popular among many different militaries around the world.
The 5.56 NATO is an ideal choice for close-quarters combat and short-range engagements due to its high close range energy but its energy trails off at longer ranges. It is lightweight, produces low recoil, and is easy to control under a high rate of fire, making it ideal for use in semi-automatic rifles. Additionally, the 5.56 NATO is relatively inexpensive and widely available, making it a popular choice among gun enthusiasts.
As far as hunting goes, the 5.56 is often regarded as being too light of a caliber for deer. However, this round is ideal for hunting big varmints like coyotes.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 556 NATO 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
While both cartridges are designed for different purposes, they share some similarities.
The 338 Lapua is a far more powerful cartridge than the 5.56 NATO. The 338 Lapua has less wind drift, far more power, slightly more drop, and more velocity.
The 5.56 NATO is better suited for hunting varmint size game such as coyotes. The 338 Lapua, on the other hand, is better for hunting big animals like moose or bison at long range.
The 5.56 is a more common caliber and costs less than the 338 Lapua. The 338 Lapua also has significantly more recoil than the 5.56 NATO.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 338 Lapua and 5.56 are two very different cartridges that are designed for very different purposes. The 338 Lapua is a long-range precision cartridge that is ideal for military snipers and long-range target shooting, while the 5.56 is a lightweight cartridge that is commonly used by military and law enforcement for its low recoil and high capacity.