The 30-06 vs. 5.56 comparison is interesting. The two rifle cartridges were designed for very different purposes, and therefore share very little in common.

Let's discuss what makes these two rifle cartridges so different. We'll judge their relative pros and cons, as well as their specs, ballistics, and hunting capabilities to help you decide which is the better option.



Overview of 30-06 and 5.56 Ammo


The .30-06 Springfield (aka 30-06 Springfield, 3006 Springfield, or 30-06) was designed to achieve a muzzle velocity of 2,700 fps and muzzle energy of 2,429 ft-lbs. The ".30" in its name designates its caliber; the "06" (pronounced "aught-six") designates its year of adoption by the U.S. military (1906).

The 30-06 saw massive success on the battlefield and in the commercial market. 30-06 ammo has remained Americans' favorite de facto deer hunting cartridge for over a century. All others are measured against it.

Bullets for 30-06 commonly weigh between 110 and 220 grains, with 180 grains being the most popular among big game hunters.

The 5.56x45mm NATO has been the gold standard AR-15 cartridge since its adoption by the U.S. military in the 1960s. It has seen combat on five continents in the hands of the U.S. military and its NATO allies.

The 5.56 is a favorite among civilian shooters because 5.56 ammo is relatively inexpensive, has minimal recoil, and is accurate enough for many defensive, hunting, and competitive shooting applications.

Bullets for 5.56 commonly weigh between 50 grains and 77 grains, with 55 grains being the most sought after.

30-06 vs. 5.56 Pros and Cons

Over the years, I've taken both cartridges to the range and discovered benefits and drawbacks to each.



30-06 vs. 5.56 Specs



Ballistics Comparison: Velocity, Energy, and Bullet Drop

30-06 Ballistics

Note: The following table was created using data provided by ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.



To explore additional bullet weights, barrel lengths, and detailed trajectory data, visit our dedicated 30-06 ballistics resource.

5.56x45mm Ballistics

Note: The following table was created using data provided by ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.



For a more comprehensive breakdown of velocity, energy, and trajectory across different bullet weights and barrel lengths, check out our complete 5.56 ballistics guide.

Recoil and Shooting Experience
 

Unsurprisingly, the 30-06 has more recoil: 23 ft-lbs of free recoil energy when firing a 150 grain bullet from an 8-pound rifle. The 30-06 fires much heavier projectiles at high velocities, so it tends to be a shoulder thumper, but not unbearable.

The 5.56, on the other hand, has very little recoil: 5 ft-lbs of free recoil energy when firing a 55 grain bullet from a 7-pound rifle. The 5.56 is a much friendlier cartridge to beginners for that reason. I enjoy shooting my 5.56 rifles at the range more than I do my 30-06 ones because they're easier on my wallet and my shoulder.

You can read the full comparison here: https://ammo.com/comparison/30-06-vs-556