Remington R-15 Chamber

[Dr T]

I have seen a lot of "Internet advice" regarding whether or not the Remington R-15 could safely use 5.56 NATO ammo. Most of it has been along the lines of "It's just like a BUSHMASTER", but there were a few items that disagreed.

I started getting seriously curious when I came across a 420 Round pack of 5.56 for $150. But, before I spent the money, I wanted to know.

I sent Remington an email last night--and heard back this morning. I asked them if it has a hybrid chamber and could shoot the surplus.

Remington says it is 223 only:

Subject
Remington r-15 Chamber

Discussion Thread
Response Via Email (Charles) 02/15/2012 08:08 AM
Thank you for visiting Remington Country! We certainly appreciate you taking the time to write in with your question.

Your rifle has a .223Rem chamber, and may only shoot .223 Rem safely.

Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our Consumer Services Department at 800-243-9700, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, EST, Monday through Friday.

 

[NCsmitty]

Well that sucks. They do list just 223 Rem at the R-15 website, so apparently they're covering their butt if something happens using surplus.
It's likely that some folks do not worry about it though.


NCsmitty

 

[W L Johnson]

Not to change the subject, but has anyone ever heard of rifle being blown or otherwise damaged by using 5.56 in a 223 chamber? Considering how wide spread 223 chambers and 5.56 ammo are, seems like there should be something out there, if it's really an issue, but I don't recall seeing one.

 

[Dr T]

One of the issues is the leade of the chamber. If the leade on the 223 is shorter, then use of 5.56 NATO with bullets seated out where the ogive meets the rifling will cause an overpressure situation. Over a period of time, this can fatigue the metal and cause a failure. Somehow, I don't like to imagine a receiver cracking right next to my cheek and eyes. And, with the price of Fiocchi 223, which my R-15 shoots reasonable well, being so low, it is not worth the trouble.

It is sort of like using 38 Special +P in an older S&W Airweight J-Frame. You may get away with it for a while, but eventually you will be holding a hand grenade.

 

[MtnCreek]

That may be the only rifle Remington makes with a short throat...

 

[bhk]

Somewhere buried deep in my files I have a copy that Bushmaster (the actually maker of the R-15) sent indicating the R-15 actually had a hybrid chamber and firing .223 and 5.56 was totally safe. This was probably a more honest answer. Remington's name is stamped on the gun and, in no way, can they recommend firing a cartridge in a rifle if that cartridge is not stamped on the gun.

Just found the e-mail. It was sent to a member of another shooting website concerning the barrel of R-15s:

Hello,

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 5.56 ammunition so it can be used without developing higher pressures as in a .223 caliber chamber that have a shorter 'leade' or throat. Both 5.56mm and .223 caliber ammunition can safely be 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: 1-800-883-6229 ext. 277
Fax: 207-892-8068


I think Remington originally marked the R-15 as a .223 for PR reasons. It wanted to continued to be seen as a maker of HUNTING rifles, so it marked them .223 and painted them in camo. Since this e-mail was written, Remington has totally bought out Bushmaster. This may have changed things. I highly doubt many .223 marked ARs have true .223 chambers, and that most have some type of hybrid chamber for liability reasons. The exception would be true target and highly specific varmint guns. That is my opinion.

Heck the ammo sellers can't even get this right. It is not uncommon for on-line retailers to mark their 5.56 ammo as .223 on their websites. Many, many AR shooters I know are not very sophisticated gun folks and don't know this difference. If I were making ARs, I would be careful on how they are chambered.

Of course, the only true way to know on any particular rifle is to do a chamber cast.

Bolt guns are a differenct matter.

 

[Dr T]

I saw that same Bushmaster response. HOWEVER, since the exact question was not posted with the response, I have some trouble in interpreting the answer.

 

[greyling22]

I just can't see remington's legal team allowing them to make a 223 that was unsafe to shoot 556 through. too many idiots out there assume the stuff is identical and all ar15's shoot can 556. I could be way wrong, but most companies spend a lot of time and effort covering their butts.

 

[FlyinBryan]

i now all the old bushmasters had 5.56 chambers. awesome rifles. ive got 2 with bookoo rounds through them.