When you hear the term “plinking” you automatically think of .22 LR. Really, it’s not common to think of a centerfire cartridge, but the truth is that plinking is not reserved only for rimfire shooting.
By definition, plinking is sort of just burning brass at the range without any set goal. You’re shooting at targets, some of which are steel or metal, making a “plinking” noise. That’s where it gets its name.
Now, while .22 LR is the (effectively) undisputed king of plinking cartridges, it has other deficiencies, specifically in terms of range and power. A potentially better, indisputably more versatile option is 5.56, and there is a lot of cheap 5.56 ammo out there.
Here are the best reasons it also makes a solid plinking cartridge.
Low Recoil
Like .22 LR, 5.56x45mm NATO produces very little recoil, and low recoil is a strong prerequisite for what makes a good plinking cartridge, since you need to be able to shoot a lot without fatigue. Granted, it produces a lot more recoil than .22, but so little most shooters don’t even notice it. In most cases the weight of the gun effectively absorbs recoil. But if it’s still a concern for you, just up the buffer weights and outfit the rifle with a muzzle brake. That’ll be all that’s needed to more or less eliminate felt recoil.
Low Cost
Low cost is another important factor in the quality of a reliable plinking cartridge, and while 5.56 NATO is going to cost more per round than .22 LR, it’s pretty much the cheapest centerfire cartridge out there. No one wants to spend a dollar or more per trigger pull, and fortunately with 5.56, you don’t have to. You can reap centerfire performance at a reasonable cost.
Availability
Like .22, 5.56 is not hard to come by. Since it’s loaded for official applications, you can often come by surplus deals at a steal, too. Plus, since it’s such a common cartridge, pretty much every gun shop sells it. If you can get .22 and 12 gauge target loads there, they almost definitely sell 5.56 (whether or not it’s in stock).
Low Weight, Easy to Carry
While 5.56 is bulkier and heavier than any rimfire ammo, it’s still pretty light and compact, making it easy to transport both loose rounds and loaded mags to the range.
Versatility
Now we’re getting to the real value of 5.56 as compared to .22 LR, and it’s that you can use it for so many things, and in nearly all of them it outperforms its rimfire competitors. You can use 5.56 ethically (where legal) for hunting, predator and varmint control, defensive applications, competition, training and drilling, long-range shooting, and more.
Significantly Greater Stopping Power
There is simply no comparison between the power of 22 LR and 5.56 NATO. One is woefully inadequate where serious stopping power is called for, the other is suitable for both hunting and defensive applications, when loaded with an appropriate bullet. Therefore your plinking gun can also be your hunting rifle.
Long-Range Suitability
Sad to say, .22 LR is one of the worst cartridges out there in terms of long-range performance, whereas 5.56, while not necessarily one of the best, is quite good. There are many long-range shooters that prefer 5.56 (or .223) expressly for long-range accuracy and doubtless some even compete with it.
Where to Find Cheap 5.56 Ammo?
The case is made; 5.56 is an excellent plinking ammo that offers you a great deal of performance and versatility that rimfire alternatives just can’t. If you’re here for cheap 5.56 ammo, stop first at Able Ammo. They carry a wide range of options at competitive prices, and many from industry leading brands.
