5.56 mm and .223 interchangeable?

johan

johan

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Will I be able to shoot .223 out of a rifle chambered for 5.56?

The rifle I've got in mind is a Stag M4gery chambered in 5.56

What I've read seems to say that .223 chamber is tighter than 5.56 and better for accuracy. Shooting higher pressure 5.56 mil ammo out of a .223 SAAMI spec chamber might produce dangerous pressures.

So I would think that the other way round is ok, that is, shooting .223 Rem out of a 5.56 Nato chamber is safe and does not produce excessive pressure levels. (due to the 5.56 Nato spec being slightly larger than .223 SAAMI)

Have I got this right?
 
Casper said:
Wow, I didn't know about this. I thought they were the same.
I have shot both through my mini 14 without probs. I guess I should stick to .223
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When you read the manual for the mini 14 it says you can use both.
 
I cannot condone it, but I know it can be done. Many MANY people run +p handloads which are technically over SAAMI max pressure, but work well nevertheless. I've never even heard of a case where NATO ammo has blown up in a .223. Still, you are 'breaking the rules,' and if it explodes in your face, no one is liable execpt yourself...
 
basically depends on the gun - if it's a fairly recent or got a long throat, then you can do either- the other thing to consider is the barrel twist- some are 1/14 or 1/12 which you can't shoot "heavy" bullets in- by heavy i mean anything over 55 grains- what you're looking at in an m4 should be fine for everything although it prefers bullets heavier than 55
 
so,,,,,,i wonder what happens when you have a COLT HBAR MATCH, that the reciver is marked .223, and the bbl is marked 5.56 ? the bbl is marked 5.56 up front, on top, right behind the flashhider
unfortunatly, it is in pieces, as some of you might know. from some .223 WW ammo. WW is trying to get out of it ofcoarse, saying i used the wrong ammo.
 
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I have a Colt SP1 with .223 on the reciever. I don't see any markings on the barrel.
So, apparently, I cannot use 5.56x45 in an AR15?
 
I thought you could shoot either or out of a rifle chambered for either or? Does the same apply to 7.62x51 and .308win (can you shoot both out of either or?)?

-Rohann
 
I'm holding my breath for the dumbasses to hijack this thread saying "Durrr....shoot what fits! Huuuuyuk!".

.223 rem is fine in the Nato 5.56mm

Nato 5.56mm in a .223 rem is a NO GO.

There are a few exceptions, but not many. Don't take the advice the the hillbillies that prefer the "added taste" of moonshine made out of a lead still.
 
Rohann said:
I thought you could shoot either or out of a rifle chambered for either or? Does the same apply to 7.62x51 and .308win (can you shoot both out of either or?)?

-Rohann
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I believe the reverse is true for .308 and 7.62x51
.308 operates with higher pressures than 7.62x51, so using a 7.62x51 in a .308 rifle is A-OK
http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/7_62vs308.htm

However, even if you load your own .308 within 7.62 pressure standards, the brass might not be thick enough to function in a 7.62x51 chamber.
 
Fact: Many people had .223 chambered rifles made to shoot IVI ammo in DCRA target rifle competition.

Fact: Shooters then went to the .223 Wylde chamber to shoot 80 gr bullets after IVI was no longer available for competition.

Fact: Target Rifle shooters that shoot .308's with Obermyer or Canadian RG match chambers will also shoot this same rifle at Bisley England where the ammo is issued RG 7.62 match ammo.

Fact: All rifles are check by an NRA(UK) armourer to ensure the rifle will chamber RG 7.62 ammo.

I am talking about bolt acton rifles and these are facts.
 
maynard said:
Fact: Many people had .223 chambered rifles made to shoot IVI ammo in DCRA target rifle competition.

Fact: Shooters then went to the .223 Wylde chamber to shoot 80 gr bullets after IVI was no longer available for competition.

Fact: Target Rifle shooters that shoot .308's with Obermyer or Canadian RG match chambers will also shoot this same rifle at Bisley England where the ammo is issued RG 7.62 match ammo.

Fact: All rifles are check by an NRA(UK) armourer to ensure the rifle will chamber RG 7.62 ammo.

I am talking about bolt acton rifles and these are facts.
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Listen folks this man talks the truth, in the UK the only difference recognised is the miltary designation. Remember mil spec chambers are tolerant of more variables than winchester for example but my ruger 223 77mk2 is on my license as 223/5.56. In the proof laws here there is no difference. If the rifle blows up its either defective rifle or ammo hence UKNRA barred handloaded ammo for years and supplied match ammo in 7.62 for our.308 rifles. Some actionswere proofed at 18 or 19 tons and as a result of panicking by NZNRA we were forced to reproof all Lee Enfield actions to 20 tons if we wanted to shoot there! The police here ar a bit dippy so I can buy as much .223 as I can 5.56 despite only the same amount of 303. They think its different ammo but not a different rifle.
 
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