.223 go no go guages / 5.56 barrel headspace

[ryanshaw44]

Can I use .223 guages to headspace 5.56 barrel.

 

[guntech]

According to Forester no... I don't understand this part as it is the throat that is different, not the body...

Rimmed and Belted Gage to Caliber Interchangeability Table

223 Rem*

* 5.56 NATO rifle chambering requires a special, longer headspace gauge.

But what are you trying to actually do? Fit a 5.56 barrel to an action and shoot commercial .223 ammunition?

My experience with military ammunition of the 223 and the 308 is that you can use a minimum go gauge to set the headspace when chambering but often military ammunition is so crooked it will not chamber in a tight chamber.

 

[ryanshaw44]

Ya Jair want to install my barrel ( larue OBR 5.56) to the upper and prob just shoot .223. Or 5.56 depending I. What I can find. The fella I bought the guages from said it should be fine. I read yes and no online though.

 

[dero338]

For checking safe headspace in milsurp and black guns I have read that most of the time it will close on a no-go and a field gage should be used which is a little longer

 

[guntech]

Yes I think the military setting is sloppier to accommodate the variance in poor quality ammo. It only has to close and go bang once, if it doesn't close it can't go bang.