Effective range of .223/5.56 NATO? (Read 7826 times)

2aHawaii

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Effective range of .223/5.56 NATO?
« on: January 04, 2010, 03:37:07 PM »
From a military perspective, what is the effective range of the .223 round? By that I mean, how far out would a soldier expect to be able to disable an enemy soldier with that round?

Here I found a chart with listing ballistic energies at different distances. http://www.snipercentral.com/223.htm
According to that, the .223 at 300y has about as much energy as .308 at 800y. But, then again, what do these energies translate into?
I am not a lawyer.

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Teichi

Re: Effective range of .223/5.56 NATO?
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2010, 06:21:01 PM »
The text book answer is M4 series 500 meters for point targets and 600 meters for area targets. M16A2/3 is 550 and 800 meters. M16A4 is 550 and 600. The big variable is the shooter. Most Soldiers are only trained to zero their rifles at 25 meters and pass a qualification course that requires them to engage 40 targets from 50 to 300 meters. 23 targets hit is considered a passing score and enables a Soldier to deploy into a war zone.

2aHawaii

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Re: Effective range of .223/5.56 NATO?
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2010, 06:25:04 PM »
So I guess the next question is "what is a point target and what is an area target?"
I am not a lawyer.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." - United States Constitution Amendment 2 & Hawaii State Constitution Article 1 Section 17

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Teichi

Re: Effective range of .223/5.56 NATO?
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2010, 10:46:27 PM »
"Point" is generally a single mansized target. "Area" would be more than one mansized target located in a general vicinity like a road intersection, a single story structure, a truck with troops, a crew occupied position and such.