Lakedaemonian
Member
Yes, but not vise versa
Can .223 safely be fired from a 5.56 rifle?
- Thread starter mopar92
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madcratebuilder
Member
+1
Lot of shooters have used 5.56 in a .223 chamber with no problems, I know I have used XM193 5.56mm 55 grain FMJ with no problems. There is a potential problem with heavier (longer) 5.56 bullets like the 77grain contacting the leade in .223 chambers. If the bullet is jammed into the leade when chambered, it may cause an overpressure when fired.
The .223 vs 5.56 is about the amount of leade.
The .308 vs 7.62 is about headspace.
I have shot both in everything I have with no problems , that`s AR`s to single shots , but if you want the skinny go here !
http://www.razoreye.net/mirror/ammo-oracle/AR15_com_Ammo_Oracle_Mirror.htm
http://www.razoreye.net/mirror/ammo-oracle/AR15_com_Ammo_Oracle_Mirror.htm
Rugers marked 5.56 will shoot 223 with no problem.Rugers marked 223 are designed for that round only and can be dangerous with 5.56. The difference is the pressure they both operate at. The 5.56 being significantly higher. The chamber is the same size for both, reloading dies are the same, the barrels are 223 on both. Pressure is the difference that can cause problems. If I had a gun marked 223 that is the only thing I would shoot out of it. Frank
bigedp51
member
The only difference between the .223 and the newer 5.56 NATO cartridges is how the rifles are throated for longer and heavier bullets. When the M16 first came out the throats for both the .223 and 5.56 NATO were the same, BUT the throating on the M16 were later changed to handle the longer and heavier bullets.
My new Stevens 200 .223 has a 1 in 9 twist and is longer throated for using heavier bullets. Older commercial .223 rifles with the shorter throats for lighter bullets could have pressure spikes if the longer and heavier military bullet loadings are fired.
My new Stevens 200 .223 has a 1 in 9 twist and is longer throated for using heavier bullets. Older commercial .223 rifles with the shorter throats for lighter bullets could have pressure spikes if the longer and heavier military bullet loadings are fired.
paperpuncher49
Member
Quote: .223 Remington is safe in a 5.56 NATO rifle.
The reverse is not recommended because of SAAMI pressure.
First, Ink Ed, I am in no way taking exception with your statement. I chose it to quote because it is representative of a lot of statements made about the interchangeability of 5.56 and .223.
First, the .223 is the "civilian" version of the 5.56 NATO cartridge. There are minor, I repeat, minor dimensional differences between them.
Second, the 5.56 is the chambering of the M16/AR15.
Third, Semi-auto and automatic military rifles have, by their nature, have sloppy chambers. A close tolerance chamber in a military rifle would be more subject to misfeeding/jamming problems and could get soldiers killed.
Fourth, and very important, we don't hear about a lot of kabooms happening in our military. For that matter, I have never heard of an M16 coming apart because of excessive pressure, though it may have happened on rare occassions. That means that the pressures to which 5.56 ammo is loaded, though at the upper limit, is safe, even though SAAMI may recommend lower pressures.
Fifth, and also very important, the overwhelming majority of non-AR .223 rifles being purchased in the civilain market are bolt action rifles, which I would suggest are every bit as strong as the actions in an AR, if not stronger. Can we really believe that ammo consistently used in ARs is not safe in a bolt action. Highly doubtful.
Lastly, if you open the action of a .223 and drop in a 5.56 round, if it freely chambers, I would contend that it is safe to shoot 99 and 44/100% of the time. If it is a replica Hi Wall or Lo Wall single shot rifle, maybe not. These are weak actions.
All that being said, if the headstamp says .223 or 5.56, I use it in either my AR or my Browning A-Bolt. Both have had at least 5,000 rounds through them with no problems.
The reverse is not recommended because of SAAMI pressure.
First, Ink Ed, I am in no way taking exception with your statement. I chose it to quote because it is representative of a lot of statements made about the interchangeability of 5.56 and .223.
First, the .223 is the "civilian" version of the 5.56 NATO cartridge. There are minor, I repeat, minor dimensional differences between them.
Second, the 5.56 is the chambering of the M16/AR15.
Third, Semi-auto and automatic military rifles have, by their nature, have sloppy chambers. A close tolerance chamber in a military rifle would be more subject to misfeeding/jamming problems and could get soldiers killed.
Fourth, and very important, we don't hear about a lot of kabooms happening in our military. For that matter, I have never heard of an M16 coming apart because of excessive pressure, though it may have happened on rare occassions. That means that the pressures to which 5.56 ammo is loaded, though at the upper limit, is safe, even though SAAMI may recommend lower pressures.
Fifth, and also very important, the overwhelming majority of non-AR .223 rifles being purchased in the civilain market are bolt action rifles, which I would suggest are every bit as strong as the actions in an AR, if not stronger. Can we really believe that ammo consistently used in ARs is not safe in a bolt action. Highly doubtful.
Lastly, if you open the action of a .223 and drop in a 5.56 round, if it freely chambers, I would contend that it is safe to shoot 99 and 44/100% of the time. If it is a replica Hi Wall or Lo Wall single shot rifle, maybe not. These are weak actions.
All that being said, if the headstamp says .223 or 5.56, I use it in either my AR or my Browning A-Bolt. Both have had at least 5,000 rounds through them with no problems.
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Just because 5.56 CAN be loaded to higher pressures, does not mean it ever is. Most all comercially loaded ammo is well below max pressure and I find it highly doubtful you would ever get any 5.56 that was actually loaded above what is considered max for the 223. The max pressures are actually pretty close between the 2.
Even if you did, I seriously doubt you will ever have any real problems. Anyone got any proof of any damage at all to a rifle or shooter firing 5.56 in a 223. At worst I see it as similar to +P ammo. +P is loaded at or slightly above what is considered max pressure and is used all the time in handgun ammo with no danger. It MAY cause the gun to wear out slightly sooner, maybe not. It may not function well in some semi's. If not then don't use it.
I've seen this debated quite a bit and have not seen anything that has convinced me that they are not interchangeable.
Even if you did, I seriously doubt you will ever have any real problems. Anyone got any proof of any damage at all to a rifle or shooter firing 5.56 in a 223. At worst I see it as similar to +P ammo. +P is loaded at or slightly above what is considered max pressure and is used all the time in handgun ammo with no danger. It MAY cause the gun to wear out slightly sooner, maybe not. It may not function well in some semi's. If not then don't use it.
I've seen this debated quite a bit and have not seen anything that has convinced me that they are not interchangeable.
chrome_austex
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Without knowing the details of the specific firearm (including it's age, etc), its BAD ADVICE to tell someone it's 'ok' to shoot 5.56 in a 223. Please don't gamble with someone else's life.
Some 223 chambered firearms may shoot 5.56 just fine, but others may not.
I HAVE seen NATO rounds loaded to higher pressures than your typical commercial factory rounds. I've seen the primers and measured velocities.
I believe that most large scale firearms manufacturers selling their wares in the likes of Academy, Cabelas, and Walmart will try to make their 223 guns safe for 5.56 just to avoid lawsuits, but this isn't something I would rely on without getting something in writing from the manufacturer.
I certainly would not advise others to 'test their luck' just because I have not personally seen a 5.56 round kaboom a 223 gun.
Some 223 chambered firearms may shoot 5.56 just fine, but others may not.
I HAVE seen NATO rounds loaded to higher pressures than your typical commercial factory rounds. I've seen the primers and measured velocities.
I believe that most large scale firearms manufacturers selling their wares in the likes of Academy, Cabelas, and Walmart will try to make their 223 guns safe for 5.56 just to avoid lawsuits, but this isn't something I would rely on without getting something in writing from the manufacturer.
I certainly would not advise others to 'test their luck' just because I have not personally seen a 5.56 round kaboom a 223 gun.
I know this much.
My Mo-Hawk 600 was bought as a 222, & changed to a 223 by my father. It has had 3 full ammo cans of 5.56 55 grain ball fired threw it with no problems at all. Those military cans were used up, by me as a kid years ago. Early 80s.
its still my #1 coyote rifle & I shoot nothing but Footchi 45 grain V-max now. Still one of my most accurate rifles
My Mo-Hawk 600 was bought as a 222, & changed to a 223 by my father. It has had 3 full ammo cans of 5.56 55 grain ball fired threw it with no problems at all. Those military cans were used up, by me as a kid years ago. Early 80s.
its still my #1 coyote rifle & I shoot nothing but Footchi 45 grain V-max now. Still one of my most accurate rifles
firemanstrickland
Member
with all due respect you need a new gunsmith. .223 can be fired in a 5.56 firearm no problem, the reverse is a bad idea
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