.223 vs 5.56

[CZguy]

Now if you boys can't play nice, you'll have to go to your gun rooms.

 

[W.E.G.]

Seems like I've posted this on THR every day this week.

 

[alsaqr]

"Seems like I've posted this on THR every day this week."

Yes.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

Ok, so my understanding from all of this is that:

A) in an AR platform rifle, if it says it is chambered in 5.56, then it is safe to shoot either 5.56 OR .223;

and

B) if the rifle chambering is marked as .223, do not shoot 5.56 in it.

(and..... C) do not try either .308 OR 7.62 NATO in either a .223 or 5.56 chamber. )

Thanks everybody for the information. Markbo, I'll be sure to get at least 2 different loading manuals when I'm ready to start reloading for my Bushmaster.

 

[Joe the Redneck]

With numbers that close, it kinda makes you wonder how close the ammo is it correct spec?

 

[Oohrah]

As to the 223 caliber, I own a mini 14, a Bushy, and and a custom bolt on
a 700 Remmy action. After using both kinds of ammo military and commercial
measururing the firied cases show no undue pressures. As an owner of a
wildcat 30-06 called a Gibbs and firing GI and commercial in other Springfields,
I can tell you any danger site is the the head spacing, rather than military vs
commercial

 

[TexasRifleman]

(B) if the rifle chambering is marked as .223, do not shoot 5.56 in it.

I'd make that more like "check with the manufacturer" rather than just "don't".

Mini 14 is a perfect example. The barrel says .223 but the manual says that shooting 5.56 military ammo is not a problem at all.

 

[Firepower!]

I use both. One is a caliber measurement and the other is that of a bore in metric.