.223 vs 5.56

The mil spec 5.56 rounds typically have higher velocities and chamber pressure than the .223.

you can shoot .223 in a 5.56 chamber but not 5.56 in a .223 chamber.

although many people do interchange the 2,Anyone shooting 5.56 in their .223 chamber is really pressing their luck!

Stick with the .223 stuff
 
PrairieShadow is right and here is a link to read up...http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/556-223-Ammunition-Ch-t22582.html
 
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Call Savage and ask them if your manual doesn't tell you what you want to know. Some of the new guns are marked .223/5.56 and are designed to shoot both.

Heck, it may even be on the FAQ on their website.

I know Remington has Police models that shoot both and are labeled as such.
 
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I guess ignorence is bliss. I've been shooting 5.56 out of my mini 14 and it seems to pattern better with the military stuff.
 
Originally Posted By: shanedoggwylde that badboy out!

That would be a barrel set back and re-chamber with all but a couple of .223
chamber reamer profiles.
 
Thanks for all the input. It would appear prudent to just stay with the .223 and forget the 5.56. Thanks for the responses. This was my first post and you guys really helped!
 
Quote:I believe the mini's are marked 5.56 arent they???

No, the Mini's are marked .223 Rem. but chambered for 5.56 (it states that on Ruger's website) EXCEPT the Target model. It's actually chambered for .223 Rem. and you shouldn't use 5.56 in it.

Confusing, huh?
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The funny thing is, some people will say not to use 5.56 due to the pressure, then proceed to load .223 higher and higher until their bolts stick and the primers are flat. I never quite understood the difference.
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"The funny thing is, some people will say not to use 5.56 due to the pressure, then proceed to load .223 higher and higher until their bolts stick and the primers are flat. I never quite understood the difference."

Funny, but I was thinking/have thought the same thing many times over........
 
Originally Posted By: howlingPrairieShadow is right and here is a link to read up...http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/556-223-Ammunition-Ch-t22582.html

This person is quoting "Wikipedia"? Since absolutely anyone can "edit" an entrie in wikipedia (ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE OF SUBJECT NOT REQUIRED) it is at best a poor source for any information.
 
There is a lot of CYA BS out there.
Fact; 100s of millions of rounds are shot interchangeably every year.
Fact; A lot of ammo is labeled as 5.56/223.
Fact; Most reloaders load ammo for either to higher pressures than SAAMI specs.

Jack
 
Quote:What about reloading the 5.6 cases for the 223 if you stay away from max loads.

No problems. Weigh the empty cases and make sure they are the same weight as .223.
99% of the time, they will be.
You find lots of 5.56 cases in the Black Hills reloads, mixed with .223.
 

I know it happens, you don't hear the term much anymore, but we used
to have what was called the broken bolt club in the ar15 community. 5.56
in .223 chambers turned out to be the one common denominator. There are
a lot of different chamber reamers out there and not all .223 chambers, including match, are all that tight in the throat.
 
Evil Lurker thats a relief to hear. A freind gve me about 120 once shot 5.6 cases and I had just full sized and trimed them. I was going to hate to pitch them.
 
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