Smyth Busters: Was the 5.56 / .223 Round Designed To Wound?
This video from Brownells' "Smyth Busters" debunks the common myth that the 5.56 NATO / .223 Remington round was specifically designed to wound enemy combatants. Hosts Caleb and Steve examine the theory that a wounded soldier requires more attention than a killed one, thus incapacitating more enemy personnel. They counter this by highlighting a key military requirement for the 5.56 round: penetration of a helmet at 500 meters. The discussion also touches on early combat reports from Vietnam suggesting the 5.56's tendency to tumble, which can cause more significant wounds, potentially fueling the myth. The video concludes that the 5.56 was not designed with wounding as its primary, unique objective, while acknowledging that any bullet can kill and that tumbling can increase wound severity.










