A rifle is only as accurate and effective as the ammunition it fires. One of the greatest advantages of the AR-15 platform is the wide variety of ammunition available. A single AR-15 rifle can be used for target shooting, training, home defense, varmint control, predator hunting, and even harvesting deer-sized game when legal and properly configured.
.223 ammunition is available in high-quality examples with good performance.
Specialized loads—such as Hornady’s Full Boar—have been developed specifically for tough animals like feral hogs. While the sheer number of available options can be confusing, specialization almost always leads to better results. Using the wrong bullet for the job can result in poor terminal performance and unethical outcomes.
For example, a lightweight varmint bullet designed for rapid expansion can fragment instantly when it strikes heavy bone on a deer, resulting in a wounded animal rather than a clean harvest. Conversely, a controlled-expansion deer load may pass straight through a coyote without expanding at all. Choosing the correct ammunition for the intended mission is critical.
During testing, I used two Radical AR-15 rifles: one equipped with a Riton red dot for defensive and duty use, and another fitted with a SIG rifle scope offering higher magnification for long-range hunting. Below is a breakdown of common AR-15 ammunition categories and their best applications.
36–40 Grain Loads: High-Velocity Varmint Rounds
These lightweight bullets are true speed demons, often reaching velocities around 3,700 fps from a typical AR-15. Loads such as the Hornady V-MAX and the 35-grain Hornady CX deliver explosive terminal performance on small varmints.
At these velocities, fragmentation occurs immediately on impact, making them extremely effective for woodchucks, ground squirrels, and similar pests. In the right rifle, accuracy is excellent. Fiocchi also offers a 40-grain V-MAX load commonly available in economical 50-round boxes. Federal’s Varmint & Predator offerings fall into this same category.
An added benefit of these loads is reduced ricochet risk, as the bullets are designed to fragment on contact with vegetation or hard surfaces.
50–53 Grain Loads: Predator and Long-Range Varmint Use
A step up in weight, 50–53 grain bullets typically achieve velocities around 3,400 fps. The Fiocchi Field Dynamics 50-grain load is particularly accurate, while Hornady offers several excellent options using the V-MAX, CX, and ECX bullets.
These loads are ideal for coyotes, bobcats, and similar-sized predators, while still performing well on smaller varmints. Many shooters find these bullets maintain accuracy better than lighter options beyond 250 yards.
This is a 50 grain V Max load in ballistic gelatin.
In my own experience, handloaded 52-grain bullets are among the most consistently accurate combinations. Hornady’s 53-grain V-MAX, marketed as a long-range varmint load, lives up to its reputation with impressive ballistic performance.
55 Grain Loads: The Most Versatile AR-15 Ammunition
The 55-grain bullet is the original and most common AR-15 loading. Approximately 95 percent of my annual shooting involves 55-grain FMJ ammunition due to its affordability and availability.
Winchester’s USA White Box, Federal American Eagle, and Hornady Frontier loads are widely used for training, recreational shooting, and competitions such as 3-Gun. These “burner” loads are accurate enough for practice and cost-effective for high-volume use.
However, 55-grain bullets are also available in soft-point and polymer-tip configurations. Federal’s 55-grain Power-Shok JSP is a solid general-purpose load suitable for personal defense and deer-sized game at modest distances with proper shot placement. Hornady’s 55-grain V-MAX excels at rapid expansion on varmints, and in my rifles, it has proven exceptionally accurate at longer ranges.
Winchester’s 55-grain Ballistic Silvertip represents a more advanced design offering reliable expansion and effective terminal ballistics. Overall, few bullet weights offer as much flexibility as the 55-grain load.
The author’s Radical rifle has proven to be both reliable and accurate.
60–62 Grain Loads: Improved Performance Beyond 200 Yards
Federal’s 62-grain M855 “Green Tip” ammunition is commonly available in bulk packaging and often demonstrates improved accuracy over 55-grain FMJ loads—particularly beyond 200 yards.
For hunting applications, the Federal Fusion 62-grain bonded soft point is specifically designed for deer-sized game. It delivers consistent accuracy, controlled expansion, and excellent penetration. Winchester’s 64-grain Power-Point is another proven performer. One hunting partner recorded 12 clean, one-shot kills using this load in a Ruger Mini-14, praising its effectiveness and mild recoil.
Federal ammunition is often very accurate. A clean powder burn is also important.
Heavier Bullet Loads: Precision and Long-Range Shooting
Heavier bullets deserve their own category. Loads using the 69-grain Sierra MatchKing are known for outstanding accuracy, and offerings from Federal and Fiocchi both perform well. Velocities typically range from 2,600 to 2,800 fps, depending on barrel length.
Stepping up further, Hornady’s 75-grain loads retain velocity exceptionally well at long distances and offer superior wind resistance. Federal’s 77-grain load featuring the Sierra Open Tip MatchKing is another standout, combining clean-burning powder with excellent consistency. These heavier bullets are often preferred for match shooting and precision applications.
Before purchasing ammunition, always consider the intended mission. Most rounds fired will be practice ammunition, but when hunting, defending your home, or competing, selecting the correct load is essential. The AR-15 platform rewards thoughtful ammunition selection, and choosing wisely will maximize accuracy, performance, and ethical results.
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