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Franklin Armory has entered the ammunition business with something considerably different from another standard 5.56 load.
The company’s new Rabbit Rounds cartridge launches four separate projectiles from an AR-pattern rifle. Franklin designed it for rabbits and other small game encountered during larger hunting trips.
Think of it as a rifle cartridge trying to borrow one of a shotgun’s better tricks.
Table of contents
Four Projectiles, One Cartridge
Each Rabbit Round contains four spin-stabilized lead projectiles inside a multi-piece, self-discarding sabot. The complete projectile assembly weighs 45 grains.
Franklin lists each individual projectile as .180-inch BB shot. A thermoplastic sabot holds the payload together inside the cartridge.
When fired, the sabot separates while the barrel’s rifling adds spin to the projectiles. Franklin says that spin helps the four-projectile pattern remain effective at distances reaching 50 yards.
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The company lists a muzzle velocity of 3,150 feet per second from a 16-inch AR-15 barrel. Muzzle energy comes in at a claimed 992 foot-pounds.
That is much faster than traditional shotshell-style rifle ammunition.
Franklin says the spread can increase the shooter’s chances of connecting with fast-moving small game. The non-expanding pellets may also reduce meat damage compared with a conventional varmint bullet.
Built for Popular AR Chambers
Rabbit Rounds come in 5.56x45mm and work with AR-pattern firearms chambered in .223 Remington, .223 Wylde and 5.56 NATO, according to Franklin Armory.
The idea is simple. A hunter carrying an AR for coyotes, wild pigs or other medium-sized game can switch magazines when a smaller target appears.
“Rabbit Rounds allow your AR to fire super-velocity, spin-stabilized shot,” Franklin Armory President Jay Jacobson said. “This ammunition greatly expands the sporting capabilities of .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO firearms.”
Franklin says additional hunting calibers are already planned.
Price and Availability
Franklin Armory currently lists Rabbit Rounds at $67.99 through its online store. The ammunition is also available through participating dealers.
The company’s website currently says it cannot ship the ammunition directly to Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, New York or Washington.
Rabbit Rounds certainly will not replace a dedicated shotgun. Still, they offer AR owners an unusual option for small game without requiring another firearm in the field.
For specifications, availability and ordering information, visit FranklinArmory.com.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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Twenty rounds for $68 dollars?! If you can’t hit a rabbit with a 50 cent .223 round out of your AR-15, spending $3.40 for a round that will allow your aim to be off an inch or two at 50 yards sure isn’t going to help you much. Maybe consider using the shotgun, or .22LR.
Or better yet, put better optics on your expensive AR…
At $3.73 a round after sales tax I think I’ll stick with my old .22 pump. Geeezzz!
Can’t be shipped to California either. Hunting with lead is prohibited, even for rabbits. The projectile must be copper or other nonlead material. (Try finding solid copper rounds in .22LR. They hardly exist any more.)
Good point on California’s nonlead rule, Mark. Each Rabbit Round carries four lead projectiles, so anyone hoping to use them on California rabbits is out of luck. Thanks for flagging it for other readers.
This looks like an ideal anti-drone round.
I’m thinking tungsten pellets for anti-drone rounds. Stay safe. j