XM193 (A,C,F,PD), 5.56, .223--What gives?

[javacodeman]

Hey guys,

Can you help me out? I've got an AR 180B chambered in 5.56 NATO. I've yet to fire the thing for a number of reasons, but mainly because I'm ammo confused.

Here's what I know. I can shoot both 5.56 and .223 (because it is chambered in 5.56--if it were .223 I could not due to chamber pressure and minor differences in diameter). Okay, well that's about all I know.

It seems that nobody carries just plain 5.56--why?

What is the difference between M193, XM193, XM193A, XM193C, XM193F, XM193PD?

Is there a reason I should try to stock up on 5.56 rather than just .223? Is it going to make that big of a difference?

I know this is a lot of questions.

Thanks,

java

 

[arizona98tj]

No, it is not going to make a big difference.....IMHO, it won't make any difference as far as that bullet going down range is concerned.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

It's all good stuff, I wouldn't worry about it. XM-193 is my favorite 5.56mm round.

 

[TexasRifleman]

It seems that nobody carries just plain 5.56--why?

That's because 5.56 is a military chambering and there is no "just plain 5.56". There are specific rounds for different purposes for one, and the other is that President Clinton made it illegal to sell straight surplus 5.56 ball ammo to civilians.

So, you get weird names to get around that law. XM193 for example. That is plain old ball 5.56 which the military would call M193 but Olin has to add the X to make it not "surplus". It may be made from surplus components, but they can't sell the complete loaded M193 rounds any longer. So, take some leftover components, made on the same machines, but with a different name and it's not "surplus" any more.

It's a circle with no end.

 

[javacodeman]

Thanks.

 

[HorseSoldier]

+1 what TexasRifleman said -- M193 was the old military 55 grain ball ammunition load.

Anything else with "193" in the title (XM193 etc) is a brand name for 55 grain stuff supposedly loaded to the military spec (different quality from different manufacturers, etc.).

 

[javacodeman]

Another question,

Will the .223 work in my 5.56 mag?

 

[Gungnir]

Another question,

Will the .223 work in my 5.56 mag?

Yes it will

 

[prelaw09]

Will the .223 work in my 5.56 mag?

To the best of my recollection, 223 and 556 are the same dimensions externally. 556 has thicker case walls. I could be wrong, but that is what I remember for some reason.

 

[Wolfgang]

you are good to go

enjoy