5.56mm vs. .223 Ammo Availability?

[fmnnc]

5.56mm vs. .223 Ammo Availability? Supplier?

I'm in the process of building my AR-15 and am at the point where I need to decide on the chamber. I'm pretty much convinced from my research on the internet that the 5.56mm is more versatile (shoots .223 without any problems less slight accuracy and velocity) and is the way to go.

However, when I search for sources of ammo, I can readily find .223 but not the 5.56mm. Am I just not looking in the right place? My research indicates that the NATO cartridge is the most popular throughout the world. Well, if the 5.56 is not readily available, the .223 chamber seems to make more sense.

Yes, I realize that most suppliers advertise their .223 with the 5.56 in parenthesis around it making you think they are the same. I personally prefer to observe the slight difference and go with the 5.56 as long as I can get my hands on the ammo. So, can anyone point me to a supplier?

Thanks,

 

[trueblue1776]

unless you shoot match get the 5.56. You can shoot both cartridges with 5.56 chamber (and I swear, shooting, you won't tell the difference, I can't)

.223 is a tiny bit tighter which is bad news w/Surplus 5.56 because it's loaded A LOT hotter than commercial .223.

 

[SnakeEater]

Or there's always the wylde chamber. .223 accuracy using either one.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

If versatility and ammo selection is what you want, a 5.56 chamber is infinitely a better choice...

http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm

 

[trueblue1776]

Pretty sure 99.9% of AR-15's are 5.56, when the war is over we may inherit a large surplus of 5.56, in that event I would feel like a schmuck with a .223 chamber.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

You can shoot .223 just fine in a 5.56 chamber anyways... so why go with a .223 chamber and limit yourself to ONLY .223???

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

I don't think anyone makes a true .223 chamber anymore. Not unless it is some custom match grade bolt action.

Savage .223's have sloppier chambers than an AR-15 Krieger barrel. A lot of those highpower guys handload 68-77gr ammo as hot as or hotter than 5.56.


I'm not suggesting that you go out and stuff 5.56 ammo in a .223, I just think the likelihood of having a problem is virtually nil these days.

The liability of having a kaboom with 5.56 ammo in a .223 rifle has caused the entire industry to basically take matters into their own hands and put an end to the incompatibility issue by just making every barrel essentially a type of 5.56 chamber. There are quite a few hybrids too. Pretty much the only folks using a true, generic 5.56 NATO chamber is Colt. Other chambers are more forgiving than even that, others slightly tighter.


I think it is a non issue. But YMMV. Never hurts to err on the side of caution.

 

[glockman19]

Get a 5.56 chambered barrel.

Right now there is a 5.56 shortage.

Natchezss is out, Midwayusa is out, ammoman is out. I can't find any Winchester Q3131, or Lake City NATO spec 5.56

And prices are going to be alot higher. $600 per 1,000 of Lake City NATO spec 5.56 Next week. old price was $350.

I just tried to get more 7.62 NATO and there is NONE. All I have is 2,000 rounds and another 500 of Federal.

When It comes in It will go fast. I just got 500 rounds of Federal Americam Eagle 55 grain .223 for my mini-14 for $199.

 

[fmnnc]

Point Me to a Supplier for 5.56?

Thanks for all of the info so far. However, I'm really looking for some help as to where I can find the 5.56mm. I'm already sold on the caliber, I just need to find out where I can get it.

Thanks

 

[glockman19]

Midwayusa.com
Ammoman.com
Natchezss.com

 

[Outlaws]

There is no reason to get it chambered in .223 unless you are going to hand load. Most of the ammo you will buy will probably be .223, but having the 5.56 will let you shoot whatever you find. The only reason to get the .223 chamber is if you never plan on shooting surplus.

Surplus is harder to find, but not really. You just can't buy it at Walmart. Its gun shows or the internet.