What happens if you shoot .222 Rem in a .223 Rem rifle?

[35 Whelen]

And thus is born "The .222 Remington Whelen Improved."

LOL!! I guess I should've lubed the case so it wouldn't have split!

35W

 

[MMCSRET]

I have seen an 8x57 fired in a rechambered 8mm/06, same situation. The extractor on the mauser bolt held the cartridge in place and it fired. It did split the 8mm case. Dropped one in the chamber and it slid in far enough that it never would have fired.

 

[6.5x55]

5 years of research and I have the answer

I saw it happen. A 222 Rem case was in among a dude's bulk box of 55gr 223 Rem ammo. It fired in a bolt gun, failing in classic case-head separation fashion.

 

[Gtscotty]

So wait, you joined 3 and a half years ago, and then waited..... biding your time until you finally got the opportunity to use your very first post to unleash a 5 year old zombie thread upon the living?

Well alright then, welcome aboard.

Edit: So was the rifle/shooter damaged?

 

[35 Whelen]

I saw it happen. A 222 Rem case was in among a dude's bulk box of 55gr 223 Rem ammo. It fired in a bolt gun, failing in classic case-head separation fashion.

I'd have to see a documented picture to believe this. Firing a .222 in a .223 is no different than fire-forming a .257 Roberts in a .257 Ackley chamber, which I have done dozens of times, same with my Pop's .338-06/338-06 Ackley. The pressure takes the path of least resistance, so to speak. In this case that would be the thinnest part of the brass that has room to swell, or the shoulder area. But just to reinforce this, here's the picture again:


See? No harm, no foul other than a ruined .222 case!

35W

 

[R.W.Dale]

It is completely different than fire forming an AI

With a properly headspaced ackley headspace is controlled by the shoulder albeit in a minimal area.

With a 222 in a 223 headspace is maintained by the extractor alone if even then.

 

[Robert]

Bad zombie. Back in the ground with you.