5.56 question

[Lupinus]

I'm still new to .223 rifles so bear with me lol.

I have a bolt action (700 SPS Varmint) in .223. As I understand it 5.56 is loaded to slightly higher pressures then standard .223.

Does anyone know just how much higher the pressure is and if there are any other differences? I plan on trying to get what the model is rated for of course, but don't know what 5.56 is loaded to so that I can compare.

 

[frankcostanza]

as far as i know, you can fire .223 in a gun chambered for 5.56, but not the other way around

 

[brighamr]

http://www.thegunzone.com/556v223.html

That should get you started.

 

[Buzzbox]

as far as i know, you can fire .223 in a gun chambered for 5.56, but not the other way around

This is how I've always understood it.

 

[pgeleven]

my civvie M4 (.223)has eaten through a ton of military 5.56 (courtesy of a friend who was a range coach) and i never had a problem with that round. if you have a good brand AR and it fails because of a 5.56 round then it was most likely going to fail anyway, IMHO.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

5.56 can be loaded quiet a bit hotter. (I believe 10k PSI isn't uncommon) I wouldn't chance it.

 

[Lupinus]

Thanks all and especially brig for the link, that provided the technicals I was looking for.

 

[GunDoctor]

The casings are a little different. 5.56 is a little larger. Don't put it in your .223.

 

[possum]

irrc. 223 is approx 42,000psi
while 5.56 is approx 56,000 psi

check out the ammo oracle for more details.

 

[HungSquirrel]

Is there a comprehensive list of AR brands/models that are 5.56 safe? If/when I ever go the AR route, I want to be able to fire both.

 

[GunDoctor]

Most make them. They will say 5.56 right on them. In those you may shoot both 5.56 and .223.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

One of the most common, the Ruger Mini-14 is marked .223 Rem but *is* certified for 5.56 by Ruger also.

 

[moooose102]

so, i have a HEAVY BARREL .223 handi rifle. is this strong enough to shoot them? i have shot 3 or 4 tracers i bought, and i bought another box of surpluss ammo. but hat is all i have.

 

[Deer Hunter]

My Saiga says .223.

Doesn't matter to me one bit what it says, though. It's rated for 5.56.

 

[NG VI]

My CMMG lower says multi-caliber on it. I can't find any text at all on the upper, which is odd to me, it doesn't say CMMG, it doesn't say the caliber, it doesn't say the twist, nothing!

 

[chucksmooth]

my bushmaster shoots both w/o problems

 

[Spyvie]

My Bushmaster is labled "CAL 223 5.56MM"

 

[chucksmooth]

where does it say that spyvie?

 

[briansmithwins]

"My CMMG lower says multi-caliber on it. I can't find any text at all on the upper, which is odd to me, it doesn't say CMMG, it doesn't say the caliber, it doesn't say the twist, nothing!"

The caliber and twist should be stamped on the barrel. CMMG usually does this on the underside of the barrel where it will be covered by the handguards.

The reason for the 'multi' caliber marking is the lower receiver can be used for pistol calibers, 5.56, 6.5, 6.8 or other, godsforsaken calibers.

BSW

 

[Lupinus]

Heard back from Remington, the rifle itself is not rated for 5.56, civie .223 only.

Which kinda sucks lol, but ah well.