5.56 NATO vs .223 rem

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defoxer

New member
Guys, I just picked up two AR striped lowers yesterday so I'm now moving on to making choices on uppers. Can someone explain the diffrence in these two calibers. What are you shooting in your AR?

I think the cambering is a bit diffrent, correct? I've read that 5.56 can be dangerious to shoot in a gun chambered in .223. BUT, Is the reverse ok? Can .223 be shot out of a 5.56 chamber safely and accurately?

This is a total newbie question, but hey, I'm a total newbie to the world of the AR, Thanks!
 
the 5.56 is loaded to a higher pressure i believe, so a 5.56 will shoot 223, but in older guns you have to be carefull of the extra pressure nato ammo caries.
 
Thanks, Your right, that site provides some great information, but I've already been there and read it. Unless I missed something (which could be the case) it did not answer my questions:

1)What are you shooting in your AR?

2)Can .223 be shot out of a 5.56 chamber safely AND accurately?

Any additional info. that would help me make my decision on what cal. upper to get would be great! Right now I'm thinking of going with .223 rem.
 
no, the 5.56 operates at higher pressures, the lead (throat) is abot .080" longer in a 5.56. the long lead gives the bullet a "jump" and keeps pressures down to 5.56 levels, fired in a 223 without room for the bullet to "jump" then pressures skyrocket. for the most part5.56 chambers are less accurate than the 223, but you can shoot mil. ammo.
There is a compromise, RRA chambers a 223 WYLDE, which has a lead halfway between the 5.56 and 223 (about .040") enhances mil. ammo accuracy and shoots the .223 stuff pretty darn good, My RRA varminter will shoot ultramax reman 223 55gr. sp ammo (absolutely the cheapest hunting ammo I can buy) into .270" at 100.
So ya want the best accuracy you can possibly get, get a 223 chamber and reload. ya wanna shoot about any ammo all bullet weights get a 1-8 twist wylde chamber, ya just wanna be able to shoot cheap mil. ammo, get a 5.56.
RR
 
defoxer,
Welcome to Predator Masters! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Also, welcome to the world of "black rifles" or ARs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
I have a Rock River Arms that has a Wylde chamber that will allow both .223 and 5.56. Bill Wylde is who the chambering is named after.

RRA uppers are of excellent quality and you won't regret purchasing one. Check out Adco Firearms for Rock River Arms parts and/or complete rifles.
www.adcofirearms.com

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
Quote:

There is a compromise, RRA chambers a 223 WYLDE, which has a lead halfway between the 5.56 and 223 (about .040")



Actually, the Wylde chamber is LONGER than the 5.56 chamber. It's intended for shooting the very long VLD bullets.
 
Quote:
223 Remington is the civilian "version" of 5.56. The difference is the headstamp.


Do you have a link to something that shows that? Or is that just your opinion. Everything I read says they are not, even the gun manufactures tell you not to fire 5.56 in 223 chambers. Do you know something they dont?
 
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