rem R-15 VTR

[yotesmoker]

Think of buying a rem R-15 vtr w/fluted bbl in 223.Can I shoot 5.56 ammo out of it without any problems or do I have to stick with just 223 ammo?Reason for asking,I have several thousands of 5.56 and very little plain 223.

 

[Abel]

5.56 ball is loaded to higher pressures and Remington won't warranty your gun if you use 5.56.

 

[Mags]

There are also way better options out there for less than the MSRP of the Remmy.

5.56 is loaded to NATO specs and 223 is loaded to SAAMI specs I have shot 5.56 in 223 chambers without ill results. I have also searched the web for a while now looking for evidence of an AR damaged by 5.56 in a 223 chamber, but I have yet to find proof of this rumor. So 5.56 is loaded to a higher pressure. Will it damage your rifle- most likely not. Will Remmy warranty a 223 rifle that shot 5.56-most likely not. Take that for what you will.

One more thing to consider about 5.56 is that there is no load data for 5.56 ammo for handloaders like myself. When I reuse a 5.56 case (which is supposedly thicker than 223, again I havent seen proof) I use my favorite data for 223 to no ill effects. Again these are my experiences and they may differ from others.

 

[bhk]

A some point in the past, someone over on AR15.com contacted Bushmaster (the real Remington R-15 manufacturer) concerning this very question. Bushmaster said that although the R-15 barrel is marked .223, the chamber actually has hybrid dimensions making the use of .556 ammunition acceptable and safe. My guess is that some other AR manufactures play the same game for safety' sake. The only way to know for sure is to contact the manufacturer yourself (Bushmaster, not Remington), or make a chamber cast. When Remington is questioned, they always say to only use ammo that matches the markings on the barrel.

BTW, I have an R-15 and love it. I coyote hunt a lot, and found the camo finish, 18" barrel, floated handguard, and no muzzle break suited my needs better than anything else I could find at the time. This was when all AR prices are higher than they are now. The local coyotes wish I had left the rifle in the store rack.

 

[yotesmoker]

anyone useing 5.56 in their rem R-15 please chime in.Depending on what I find out will determine if I purchase one.

 

[bhk]

The e-mail from Bushmaster concerning the Remington R-15s:

Subject: Chambers

The barrels have a custom match hybrid chambering that uses the tighter .223 SAAMI spec headspace from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face. It has the longer "Leade" or throat that will accommodate the 5.56mm ammunition so it can be used. Both 5.56mm and .223 caliber ammunition can be safely used in the rifles.

The 1:9 twist barrels will stabilize bullets from 40 to 75 grains.

Thank You,

Jim Eden
Technical Support
Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC
Office: 1-8000883-6229 ext. 277
Fax: 207-892-8068

This is a copy of the e-mail sent to an AR.com member. I shoot regular hunting .223 loads in mine, but would not hesitate to shoot 5.56 based on the above e-mail. Remember, this e-mail was not sent to me. Make your own decision.

 

[yotesmoker]

Thank You,thats the info I was looking for.

 

[Mags]

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