.223 vs. 5.56

[mohunter55]

I know the whole story about how one should not shoot 5.56 in a .223 designated gun. My question is, can one take 5.56 brass and reload it using .223 specs and then fire it in a .223 bolt action? I ask because i have a lot of lake city brass and several other 5.56 marked cases and was curious. From what I've seen on the internet (not sure if true) is that the only difference between 5.56 and .223 brass is that 5.56 is hotter and a .223 chamber might not be able to handle it. Assuming the brass is dimensionally the same, I would think i could use 5.56 brass in a .223 bolt gun for reloading.

Thanks,

mohunter

 

[rcmodel]

Yes.

5.56 vis .223?
Same deference.

What really differentiates the 5.56 from the .223 is it is loaded to higher pressure by the military.

Some GI brass is heavier and has less capacity then some commercial .223, but not all, and not always.
Use .223 start load data and work up, as you should do with any other caliber.

rc

 

[loadedround]

I have three 223's; one Ruger #1 and two AR's and I simply ignore the 223/2.56 controversy. Haven't had a problem yet in reloading and shooting.

 

[Randy1911]

Some .223 rifles are safe with 5.56 ammo. You need to read your owners manual to check. I have a Ruger Mini-14 that is labeled .223, but in the owners manual it says that 5.56 is perfectly safe in it. Some of the military 5.56 has thicker brass therefore you can't get as mych powder in them.

 

[ReefRaider]

I don't think you'll ever have a problem with any of the MIL brass in a .223 chamber rifle. As long as you never go above max load in the loading manuals. The web being thicker in the Mil brass like LC and WCC will have no effect on the pressure of your load either. That will only come into play once you are loading .308. Even if your using Varget which can be a compressed load with some bullet weights below 62 grns. Its not like it will over flow from the case. If it is stop somethings wrong.