200 Rounds of .223 Ammo by Remington UMC - 55gr MC

The push for the .223/5.56mm cartridge came out of a 1952 study by a military-funded civilian research group called "Operational Requirements for an Infantry Hand Weapon," as well as several studies and discussions that occurred immediately after World War II. These studies determined that most rifle combat between infantry units took place at 300 meters or less, and that beyond 100 yards, marksmanship was severely reduced. Hits on enemy combatants were seen to be almost random. Because of this, those in positions of power largely decided that the best way to increase the number of enemy casualties was to reduce the caliber of the rifle used by US military units. This would increase short range hit probability by reducing recoil and increase long range hits by allowing the infantryman to carry much more ammunition.

Also, wound ballistics tests at the time determined that small caliber, high velocity projectiles caused more damage than slower, heavier projectiles that did not fragment, expand, or upset in tissue. The US Army's Ballistics Research Laboratory published a study in 1957 titled "Upon Selecting an Optimum Rifle Round" which described a .22 caliber, high velocity, 50 grain bullet that yawed in the target caused increased kill probabilities. This, coupled with a US Army requirement for a cartridge that was effective to 500 yards (despite the earlier study indicating that most rifle combat occurred below 300), led to the modification of .222 Remington ammunition. This new ammunition fired a 55 grain full metal jacket boat tailed bullet at 3300fps. The requirements at 500 yards stipulated accuracy and the ability to penetrate a steel helmet. The new cartridge successfully did so.

Because of institutional belief that larger caliber weapons were better, it was not until 1961 that, at the behest of the Air Force, further testing of the new AR-15 and its .223 Remington cartridge came about. Double the number of shooters scored Expert with the AR-15 versus those firing the M14 rifle in 7.62mm. In addition, the new rifle was found to be easier for soldiers of smaller stature to shoot - in other words, score more hits on their targets.

The bottom line is that the driving factors behind development of the AR-15 and the .223 Remington cartridge - which were closely intertwined - were increased lethality, increased accuracy, lighter weight, and a larger ammunition load per a given weight. There is absolutely no truth to the myth that the .223 Remington cartridge was intended to cause injury instead of death.