.223/5.56 Difference?

[Phaetos]

I'm looking at getting my first AR, and am considering the S&W M&P15 Sport. The sales guy told me it fires .223 and 5.56 saying there is negligible differences in them that the gun just wouldn't care which was loaded. Now looking at the S&W website, it lists the sport as a 5.56. Who is correct?

 

[rcmodel]

Any 5.56 chambered rifle will fire any 5.56 or .223 ammo.

There is a SAAMI warning about firing 5.56 in a .223 chambered rifle however, as miner chamber differences can raise pressure. They say.
True .223 chambers are generally tighter, and have less free-bore or leade


If you want a AR-15 for anything more then an accurate varmint rifle, you want it chambered in 5.56.

rc

 

[allaroundhunter]

There is a search button as this has been beaten to death.....

The basic jist of it is. Most any AR, the S&W included, is chambered for 5.56x45 NATO meaning it will handle both 5.56 and .223 rem just fine.


ETA: rc beat me to it

 

[hardluk1]

If your rifle is chambered for 5.56 it also shoots .223. Please run a searchs even from your home page to find any other info first then search here.

OH good basic rifle choice by the way. LGS price run in the low 600 dollar range mostly.

Love my sport..

 

[oldpapps]

RCModel nailed it.

If you buy what you feed, it could make a slight difference.
Make your own and it 'don't mount to a row of pins' (I love that old saying.)

 

[Phaetos]

Apologize for not searching first. I am a bit pumped about finally get an AR.

Thanks for the answers though.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Apologize for not searching first. I am a bit pumped about finally get an AR.

Thanks for the answers though.

Don't worry about not searching, it isn't a knock on you. I just don't want this to get derailed by people starting to argue semantics about different pressure ratings and measurements like these threads usually get to....

Please, post some pics of your new AR when you get it and let us know how it shoots!

Oh yea, and welcome to the club! But be warned, it's addictive....

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[oldpapps]

Better watch out, they are addictive.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I'm looking at getting my first AR, and am considering the S&W M&P15 Sport. The sales guy told me it fires .223 and 5.56 saying there is negligible differences in them that the gun just wouldn't care which was loaded. Now looking at the S&W website, it lists the sport as a 5.56. Who is correct?

Great choice of rifle. Shoot both, different weights, brands. Note accuracy potential, group size, and find what the rifle likes. Just because it shoots both doesn't mean it shoots both WELL.

Mine Sport favored 62 gr fmj 223, 69 gr 556, Barnes 55gr TSX, and 55 gr. vmax.

 

[Phaetos]

Thanks again. I'll keep those numbers in mind when I go get ammo to test.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Thanks again. I'll keep those numbers in mind when I go get ammo to test.

Welcome sir.