AR .223/5.56 bolt swap question

[MyRoad]

Does anyone know if there are different bolt assemblies for the rifles specified for ".223" vs. "556"?

I have a HBar SS Match Target upper, and the barrel is stamped ".223", and I want to use that bolt assembly in another upper whose barrel is stamped "5.56", and I was wondering if the bolts would be different.

Obviously, I don't know that much about this, that's why I'm asking. Apparently the chambers are different, based on the quote below, but I don't know if the bolts are machined any different to match the different chambers.

The .223 Wylde chamber was designed as a match chambering for semi-automatic rifles. It will accomodate both .223 Rem and 5.56mm NATO ammunition. It is relieved in the case body to aid in extraction and features a shorter throat for improved accuracy.

The quote if from the RRA website, indicating that they have different chambers for 5.56 vs .223 and the bolt/barrels I'm actually working with are made by (for?) DPMS... I'm not sure if that makes a difference, or if they are both getting them from the same place.

 

[taliv]

no difference in theory between 223/wylde/556 as far as bolt is concerned however, it is always prudent to do a headspace check when mixing and matching bolts/barrels from different companies

 

[MyRoad]

it is always prudent to do a headspace check when mixing and matching bolts/barrels from different companies

Thanks for the information. The bolt would actually be going from one DPMS upper to another. The reference to RRA was that that's where I found that information about different chambers specifications and I didn't know if maybe some manufacturers spec them differently and others don't... of that makes any sense.

 

[briansmithwins]

Even if the 2 rifles had consecutive serial numbers from the same manufacturer I'd still be checking headspace before swapping bolt assemblies.

The book answer is to ALWAYS check headspace when changing bolts on an AR, or most any other firearm. You will probably never find one that's out of spec, but the alternative is having the cartridge fail, destroying your firearm and maybe your eyes and face.

BSW