5.56 vs. 5.7: Can a Pistol Cartridge Compete With a Rifle?

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "5.56 vs. 5.7: Rifle Cartridge vs. Pistol Cartridge by Ammo.com"
(https://ammo.com/comparison/556-vs-57)

Judging by its popularity in the U.S. today, the 5.56x45mm doesn't seem to have many competitors. However, some believe the 5.7x28mm is a worthy opponent despite these cartridges being created for different purposes.

When we compared the 5.56 vs. 5.7, it was clear that each has its purpose, but one round has more advantages than the other. The 5.56 can be used in a wider variety of scenarios. Therefore, we chose the 5.56 as the superior round, but only slightly.

5.7 vs. 5.56: What's The Difference?

One might assume – incorrectly – that these rounds are similar with only minute differences. The 5.56x45 was designed as a rifle cartridge, whereas the 5.7x28 was designed as a pistol cartridge.

The 5.7 looks like a hybrid between the 5.56 and the 22 LR. Its performance isn't far off of what you'd expect if you averaged the two rounds. It's similar to the 22 Magnum in that regard.

The 5.56 may be more powerful, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's in all ways superior. The 5.7 outshines it at the close-quarters applications it's intended for.

Cartridge Specs

Each round shares the same bullet diameter: .224". The 5.56 is the larger cartridge. Both rounds have a centerfire primer. The overall length of the 5.56 is 2.260" whereas the overall length of the 5.7 is only 1.594". The case length of the 5.7 is 1.138" which is half an inch shorter than the 1.760" 5.56 case.

Shorter case length translates to less case capacity. The case capacity for the 5.7 is 13.9 grains H2O, whereas 5.56 case capacity is 28.5 grains H2O.

If you're looking for the more powerful round, the 5.56 is it. However, if you're looking for a compact round, the 5.7 is the way to go.

Recoil

I took my wife and mother-in-law shooting for the first time several years ago. Neither had much experience with firearms – especially 5.56 rounds. Both were surprised by how little my AR recoiled. Despite what many politicians want you to believe, 5.56 and .223 caliber guns don't kick much at all.

The 5.56 NATO has 5 ft-lbs of recoil when firing a 7 lb gun. That's minuscule compared to a 30-06, which can easily have 25 ft-lbs.

The recoil of the 5.7 in a 1.6 lb handgun is 1.7 ft-lbs. If we fire the same round from an AR platform firearm, the recoil will barely be noticeable. Even though it's a larger round than a .22 LR, the 5.7's recoil is very comparable.

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While the 5.56 has little recoil, the 5.7 has much less. So if you're making your judgment solely based on recoil, the 5.7 is the round for you.

Trajectory

Trajectory is the flight path the bullet takes to the target. It's measured in inches of drop. The flatter the trajectory, the better because it requires fewer adjustments when shooting targets at different distances.

The 5.56 NATO was designed for long-range and short-range shooting. The U.S. military uses lightweight, high-velocity 55 and 62 grain bullets in this flat-shooting round. The 5.56 NATO 62 grain bullet drops roughly 23" at 400 yards (assuming a 200-yard zero). This might seem like a lot, but other rounds like the 7.62x39 exhibit nearly double the bullet drop at that distance.

The 5.7 doesn't drop below the point of aim until 165 yards. Since it is a pistol cartridge, it's not designed for long-distance shooting, so its effective range is around 250 yards with 11" of bullet drop.

The 5.56 NATO has a much better trajectory for extended range shooting than the 5.7. However, out to 150 yards, they share a similar trajectory.

Accuracy

The accuracy of a round is determined by several factors, including the gun, barrel length, shooter's skill level, and bullet type. Rifles are generally more accurate than pistols, so for this comparison, we will only be speaking of accuracy when both rounds are fired from a rifle.

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When firing from the AR platform, these cartridges offer similar accuracy out to around 150 yards. Any farther than that, and the 5.56 rounds start to outperform the 5.7 rounds. The 5.7 simply doesn't have enough power to maintain its accuracy at farther distances.

The 5.56 easily wins the accuracy category at longer ranges. If you plan to fire on targets closer than 150 yards, then 5.7 is a viable option.

Ballistic Coefficient

Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measurement of how well the bullet resists wind and frontal air resistance. In other words, it reflects how aerodynamic a bullet is. The higher a bullet's BC, the more efficiently it conserves its monentum.

Heavier bullets typically have higher BCs, though there are exceptions. BC varies from bullet to bullet, but on average, a 55 grain FMJ 5.56 bullet has a G1 BC of 0.243, whereas a 40 grain polymer-tipped 5.7 bullet has a G1 BC of around 0.152.

As expected, the 5.56 NATO continues to outperform the 5.7.

Stopping Power

The 5.56's higher muzzle velocity and heavier projectile both grant it greater stopping power than the 5.7. Its bullet strikes its target much harder, and also possesses the higher sectional density (SD; a measure of how effectively a bullet penetrates its target).

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The type of bullet it is loaded with determines a cartridge's potential stopping power, to some extent. For example, expanding bullets inflict more damage than a full metal jacket (FMJ), as expansion causes the bullet to tear out a wider wound channel while simultaneously transferring more of its kinetic energy to the target.

Rather than bury you in details, accept the briefest possible summary: the 5.56 NATO has more stopping power than the 5.7x28.

Hunting

Neither round is ideal for big game hunting. Their bullets are not large enough to ethically take down a large animal. The 5.56mm can be used to hunt deer in some states, although there are many better options to make an ethical shot. Even the 300 AAC Blackout, another intermediate combat rifle cartridge, is better for deer hunting.

Close-range predator and small game hunting can be enjoyed with either cartridge. But as the distance increases, the 5.56x45mm outshines the 5.7x28 more and more. For coyote hunting specifically, our guide to the best 5.56 ammo for coyote hunting covers specialized loads for different scenarios. Hunting small game like rabbit and squirrel with a 5.56 rifle is a little overkill, but you won't waste any meat with a well-placed shot (i.e. head).

I recommend the 5.56 NATO over the 5.7 for all medium and most small game hunting at all distances.

Self-Defense/Home Defense

I would prefer to use a 12 Gauge or 20 Gauge for self-defense and home protection, largely because buckshot is less likely to penetrate multiple walls and strike an innocent bystander. Rifle bullets pierce sheetrock and thin metal like they're made of warm bullet, so you must be more accurate and confident with your shot placement. That's not as easy as it sounds in an intense situation.

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I do recognize there are benefits to using 5.56 or 5.7 for home defense purposes. The first is capacity. Thirty- and 40-round magazines are standard in the AR platform. So if you're forced to defend yourself, you should have plenty of ammo in the magazine.

Another reason I can't argue against using 5.56 as a home-defense weapon is that the military and law enforcement use it to protect themselves and others. If the 5.56x45 is good enough for the military and law enforcement, it's good enough for me. Just remember they train regularly, and you should too.

The 5.7x28 holds more rounds in a more compact magazine, while the 5.56 has more knockdown power. The 5.7 is also a pistol round, so you can use it in your concealed carry pistol and protect your home.

This debate is similar to the 9mm vs. 45 ACP debate. I don't plan on ending it with this article, but if it was me and I had to choose between the 5.7 and the 5.56, I would stick with a 5.56 for home defense.

Ammo and Rifle Cost and Availability

Firearm and ammo availability and costs are significant factors many overlook when first purchasing firearms. In recent years ammo has drastically increased in price and become more scarce. That's why it's essential to buy your new gun in a caliber that most ammo companies are manufacturing.

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The 5.56 NATO is a round widely used by military, law enforcement, and civilians. Most sporting goods and gun stores have large supplies of 5.56 and .223. If they don't, they have some on order arriving ASAP.

The 5.7x28, on the other hand, is not a typical round found in sporting goods and gun stores. We carry it at Ammo.com. You can find it here when it's in stock. Despite being a smaller round, 5.7 ammo is more expensive than 5.56 ammo.

If you enjoy punching holes in paper for fun, the 5.56 is already looking like the better option!

Gun prices are constantly changing, but as of this writing, you can pick up a decent 5.56 AR-15 for $800 to $1,200. The starting price for a 5.7 pistol like the Ruger-5.7 is $900. A 5.7 AR costs around $1,200. If you already own a 5.56 AR-15, then can save money by purchasing a separate 5.7 AR upper for it.

Some guns chambered in 5.7 like the FN P90 are classified as a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) that can only be purchased by the military or law enforcement due to ATF restrictions.

If you're only purchasing a firearm based on price and availability, choose the 5.56. It's common ammunition at a reasonable price.

Don't miss out on our exclusive deals - check out our Winchester 5.56 ammo page today!

Buying in bulk is always smart. Make sure to check out our stock of 5.56 bulk ammo and bulk 5.7 ammo.

Reloading

If you enjoy getting the most out of your equipment, then reloading is an excellent hobby to pick up. Reloading gives you near-total control over the quality of your ammo. It lets you tailor your rounds to get the most outstanding performance from your firearm. Handloads are also less expensive and more accurate than factory ammunition.

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Since the 5.56 NATO is a round commonly fired by firearms enthusiasts, there are plenty of reloading options for it. Reloading is cheaper than buying factory ammo for 5.56.

Sometimes confusing to new reloaders, there are no exclusive 5.56 NATO dies. A 5.56 specific reloading die is unnecessary since the case dimensions for .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO are virtually identical.

Reloading the 5.7 is becoming more popular among shooters. It's cheaper than buying factory rounds, and reloading information is updated regularly for the 5.7x28.

As with all reloading, you must pay attention to the details and follow the manufacturer's recommendations instead of a nameless source on the internet.

A lot of people love to reload the 5.56. The supplies are easier to find and purchase, and there's more trustworthy information on the 5.56 caliber.

Ballistics

5.56x45 Ballistics Chart

For shooters wanting to maximize their rifle's performance, our detailed 5.56 Ballistics resource offers comprehensive trajectory and energy data across various bullet weights and barrel lengths. Below is a summary of factory ammunition performance:

Note: This information comes from ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

5.7x28 Ballistics Chart

Marksmen seeking to optimize their rifle's capabilities will find valuable information in our comprehensive 5.7x28 Ballistics guide, which provides detailed trajectory and energy statistics for different bullet weights and barrel configurations. We've included a performance overview of factory loads below.

Note: This information comes from ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

5.56 Development

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The 5.56x45mm was developed by FN Herstal during the late 1970s. The new military rifle cartridge had to meet these specifications:

• Maintain supersonic speed at 500 yards
• Penetrate an Army-issued steel helmet at 500 yards
• Penetrate a .135-inch steel plate at 500 yards
• Have accuracy and ballistics equal to M2 ball ammunition (the standard military specifcation for the .30-06 Springfield)
• Wounding ability equal to the M1 Carbine (which fires .30 Carbine cartridges)

In the early 1960s, the U.S. Air Force ordered 80,000 AR-15 rifles chambered in 223 Rem (which is virtually identical to 5.56). The U.S. Army shortly followed suit by officially adopting the 5.56 M16 (the full-auto version of the civilian AR-15). After the Vietnam War, the round became popular internationally and in the United States.

The rest, as they say, is history! If you'd like more details, check out the post I condensed that's halfway down our 5.56x45mm ammo page.

5.7 Development

In 1991, NATO asked FN Herstal for a replacement for the 9x19mm because Kevlar was effective at stopping that round.

The 5.7 is compact and will penetrate a level IIIA body armor vest at 219 yards. The shape of the bullet reduces the chance of ricocheting, which decreases the risk of collateral damage and makes it a viable personal defense round. Since the 5.7 cartridge weighs roudnly half as much as a 9mm, soldiers can carry twice the amount of ammo.

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This is why it's becoming an increasingly popular weapon system with international militaries and some U.S. agencies. If you want to dive deeper into this subject, check out this post on the history of the 5.7x28.

5.7 vs. 5.56: Final Round

While both were created for combat purposes, these cartridges are very different. The 5.56x45 was intended to be fired from rifles. It's a longer, more powerful cartridge that excels at short- and long-range shooting. The 5.7 was designed to be fired from an FN five-seven pistol and excel at close-range shooting.

If I were forced to choose only one, I would purchase the 5.56 because of its expanded range compared to the 5.7 round.

Written by

Wes Littlefield