No. They are dimensionally the same, but the NATO round is a much higher pressure and is not considered safe to shoot out of a regular .223 Rem rifle. If the barrel says 5.56 NATO - you can shoot either. If it doesn't, then you can only shoot .223 Rem.sunray said:Yes.
sunray said:"...If it doesn't..." Before there was such a thing as the Internet, .223Rem and 5.56NATO as well as .308Win and 7.62NATO were shot out of any rifle chambered for either with no fuss. All this stuff about the them being different is nonsense. Commercial hunting ammo is loaded a bit hotter, but it won't bother any rifle is good condition.
Good point. I've heard things from both sides, but don't really care anymore. I've shot 5.56 out of a bolt .223 before, and my face is still intact. Only reason I don't use surplus in my 700 is because it shoots like crap.sunray said:"...If it doesn't..." Before there was such a thing as the Internet, .223Rem and 5.56NATO as well as .308Win and 7.62NATO were shot out of any rifle chambered for either with no fuss. All this stuff about the them being different is nonsense. Commercial hunting ammo is loaded a bit hotter, but it won't bother any rifle is good condition.
Savage said:I guess all the info posted above is imaginary
if you shoot surplus ammo in your rifle No manufacturer will afford you warranty coverage in case of a failure
Rohann said:Only reason I don't use surplus in my 700 is because it shoots like crap.
-Rohann