You probably didn’t need to be convinced to build with a 5.56 upper since the vast majority of AR-style rifles out there are.
But just on the off chance that you’ve been wooed by some other cartridge and are looking for a vehement defense of old reliable, you’ve found it.
The Ubiquity of the Cartridge
The day you can’t find 5.56 on the shelves at your local gun shop will be the day they’re out of .22LR, 9mm, and 12 gauge target loads. You will have bigger problems at that point.
The 5.56 and its cousin, .223 Remington, are everywhere, which means you’ll probably never run out of ammo, even if there’s a run or a crunch.
Low-Cost
As centerfire rifle cartridges go, there is really nothing else out there on par with 5.56, especially given the performance that 5.56 offers.
This makes it perfect for training new shooters, high-volume target shooting, plinking, drilling, and just straight up burning brass during range therapy sessions.
Low-Recoil
The 5.56 doesn’t just have price on lock with respect to centerfire rifle cartridges. It also produces very, very little recoil. There’s not much else that can compete with it.
This makes it unintimidating, which makes it perfect for new shooters as well as for long days at the range. You can’t shoot a 12 gauge or a .45-70 Government all day without a sore shoulder, but 5.56? That’s a walk in the park.
Great for New Shooters
It’s already been stated that 5.56 is good for training new shooters so we won’t beat a dead horse, but if you’re ever thinking about getting someone new into the world of shooting sports, you may be happy you ultimately decided to build with a 5.56 upper instead of, say, a .50 Beowulf.
Parts Compatibility
Because most AR-style rifles are built around 5.56 NATO, it will not be hard for you to get parts, regardless of how obscure you think they might be. Mags are common, as are barrels, bolt carrier groups, and buffer tubes and weights appropriate for use with this cartridge.
Great for Long-Range Shooting
One of the great things about this cartridge is that it is one of the few intermediate rifle cartridges that is highly effective at long-range shooting. It has a high ballistic coefficient and despite the fact that it is more affected by wind drift than some other larger, heavier contenders, is pretty impressive with respect to bullet drop.
Great for Hunting (Species Dependent)
The .223 has been called the king of coyote cartridges, and with proper shot placement it is effective for all small game, along with medium game such as deer and hogs. Of course, there might be other better cartridges, but few with the versatility of 5.56.
Potentially Viable for Defensive Applications
A rifle built around a 5.56 upper can also represent an excellent defensive platform, especially at close ranges. Overpenetration might be a concern but if you shoot appropriate bullets, there’s no reason why you can’t make an effective defensive rifle from a build made with a 5.56 upper.
Where to Get Your Next 5.56 Upper
If you’re already in the market for a 5.56 upper for your next build and this post just sealed the deal, take a look at what’s available over at MCS Gearup. They carry a wide range of complete, assembled uppers as well as build kits, not to mention all the parts you need to complete or customize a build. Shop their collection and bookmark their page; you’re going to need it.
