223/556

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Generally speaking, yes. The exception would be some .223 target guns with very tight chambers. Most .223 autoloaders will safely fire either.

What kind of rifle?
 
IIRC the 5.56 chamber is slightly larger than the .223 Rem chamber, and the pressure of the 5.56 round is slightly higher.

If you add a smaller chamber with higher pressure, no I wouldn't recommend shooting 5.56 out of a .223.

benEzra makes a good point about tight target chambers vs. autoloaders.
 
Let me just say it.. No, don't do it. Don't try it and just be carefull or give it try, just don't do it. You can safely shoot a .223 from a 556, but not the other way around.

What are you shooting at that you need to shoot a .556 as opposed to just using a .223?

Lovesbeer99
 
My CZ 527 hates 5.56 but my savage 110 eats it up. I'd says it depends on the rifle. I just bought 500 rounds of .223 and I don't plan to shoot the 5.56 in my bolt actions any longer, I'll save it for my AR's.
 
Actually, the extra CUP is closer to 9.9x10^68, so powerful it will create a temporary rupture in the time/space continuum, thus sending you back to the time before you tried it. So if you shoot 5.56mm in a .223 gun you are dooming the entire world to be stuck in a continuous loop of plinking. Sure you can try it, if you hate the world.




(since I know some toolbag will PM me, I will add: This is a joke.)
 
Hey man, that's not funny.

If Elvis is drinking a Big Gulp on the side of the road while wearing David Lee Roth pants, and you see him in the headlights of your 1968 Belvedere while approaching at the speed of light, what do you see, and when do you see it?
 
I think Milspec 556 is 60,000 PSI and .223 is 50,000 or within SAAMI spec.

That being said, if you're shooting HOT 556, it could be a problem. If it's mild stuff, you should be OK.
 
So if you reload 5.56 cases with mil-spec componets BUT you use a .223 die set is that ok? Or should I just take my dremel and remove the 5.56 marking and scribe a .223 Rem on it?

Seriously....most .223/5.56 rifles will shoot either with no issues. As posted the concerns are tight chamber or tight throats in some varmint/target rifles.
 
It would not be wise to shoot 5.56 ammo in a .223 Rem chamber.

You would be fine to shoot .223 out of a 5.56 chamber though.
 
Oh boy...I love these threads....

Take a box of Federal 55grn FMJ ".223" ammo and shoot it in the same rifle as you shoot Federal XM193 55grn FMJ "5.56" ammo in.....

OR what about the ammo boxes that have BOTH .223 AND 5.56 on the label?

Could certainly get confusing when shopping for the "ahem" correct ammo for your .223/5.56.......

As stated before..."some" .223 rifles will issues shooting milspec ammo in their tighter chamber/throats. If the "throat" allows the rounds to fire without increasing pressure then don't sweat it....

Just like the 7.62/.308 interchangable debate........they work fine in either rifle. You may have problems with certain gas guns when shooting heavy bullets with slow powders..but that is a "specific" gun design issue and not the ammunitions fault.
 
If you are shooting a bolt or pump rifle and you find the action suddenly hard to open or notice particulate matter adhereing to your face you may wish to discontinue firing 5.56 in your rifle.

You cannot size 5.56 NATO brass down to .223 dimensions without work hardening the brass cases which causes case head seperation in short order, usually two to three reloads.

If you really want to shoot 5.56 NATO in your bolt or pump rifle then have a gunsmith cut the chamber to NATO dimensions.
No problem in doing this, I know of no bolt or pump rifles that have a .223 chamber dimension and a chrome lined chamber too.
 
You cannot size 5.56 NATO brass down to .223 dimensions without work hardening the brass cases which causes case head seperation in short order, usually two to three reloads.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about that? I think 5.56 and 223 brass dimensions are the same. Its the chamber size in the rifle that is different.

I thought the differences between 5.56 and 223 were:

1. Brass is thicker with 5.56, which lowers case volume, but does not change external dimensions.
and
2. Chamber size of 5.56 rifles is slightly larger than a 223 chamber.
 
Quote:
You cannot size 5.56 NATO brass down to .223 dimensions without work hardening the brass cases which causes case head seperation in short order, usually two to three reloads.

Are you sure about that? I think 5.56 and 223 brass dimensions are the same. Its the chamber size in the rifle that is different.

I thought the differences between 5.56 and 223 were:

1. Brass is thicker with 5.56, which lowers case volume, but does not change external dimensions.
and
2. Chamber size of 5.56 rifles is slightly larger than a 223 chamber
Click to expand...


5.56 and .223 are the same dimensions. The differences are the chamber /throat dimensions.
 
Big discussion on the horrors of mixing 5.56 and .223 in a recent American Rifleman. You ARE members of NRA, aren't you?

In my opinion, the higher standard pressure of the military load would not be a problem in a sound .223 rifle if, IF, there were no chamber clearance problems that would increase pressure above specifications. Somebody ought to make a gauge for the junk ammo shooter to see if his Slobbovian Surplus would fit a commercial rifle.
 
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