Leg said:Their is a difference in between 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. I would check your barrel to see which one you have. It is not advisable to shoot .223 out of a 5.56 barrel as the .223 casing dimensions are slightly different and can lead to problems with overpresssure in the chamber. If your gun is .223 then bulk Winchester white box would probably be the cheapest. I don't know of a source of surplus 5.56.
Canuck223 said:Re-read your article. You've got it backwards. The only difference is the 5.56 spec chamber is more generous in the neck area and has the throat cut deeper than .223 Rem. You can fire .223 Rem in a 5.56 spec chamber all day long without problems. Compared to a .223 spec chamber, your velocity and accuracy might be reduced in the military chamber, but the pressure will be quite safe.
If you were to find true nato pressure 5.56 ammo, and chamber it in a .223 Rem chamber, there is a possible problem. The Nato loading was pressure tested using a chamber with a more open throat, so the bullet is free to move quickly. That same load in a .223 Rem chamber will have the bullet stopped by the rifling earlier, and the pressure will likely be greater. As the neck area is also tighter in the .223 Rem chamber, there is less room to expand and reduce the high pressure.
In truth, most of the 5.56 ammo sold commercially is simply badge engineered .223 Rem.
zykopat said:You're right Canuck. I read and re-read the Oracle's ammo thing long before asking for mil-spec ammo. I have the 5.56mm chamber, so I'm ok for .223 and 5.56mm. I really would like to shoot mil-spec ammo, but it seems that it is as rare as...!
IDPACONVERT said:The only stuff that I could come up with that is even Commercially close is Winchester White box USA 223
Rebel Rouser said:-However if you shoot a 5.56mm cartridge though a rifle chambered for .223 it is VERY UNSAFE TO DO SO. I have seen a Ruger Mini-14 blow up nicely do to the fact someone was firing 5.56mm out of it.
gushulak said:Yet another thread of someone looking for milsurp 5.56mm and I feel embarassed that a country as great as Canada and there's NONE.......
667 said:And another thing..... There likely is no such thing as "milsurp" 5.56mm
What you're looking for is "cheap ammo"
All the .223/5.56mm found in stores came directly from a distributor who in turn got it from the manufacturer thru normal channels....
It's all commercial. Produced for retail sales....
My definition of military surplus is just that... #### that was once owned by some gov't and now has somehow found its way to the market....
...But that doesn't sound as cool as "milsurp" I guess
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667 said:And another thing..... There likely is no such thing as "milsurp" 5.56mm
What you're looking for is "cheap ammo"
All the .223/5.56mm found in stores came directly from a distributor who in turn got it from the manufacturer thru normal channels....
It's all commercial. Produced for retail sales....
My definition of military surplus is just that... #### that was once owned by some gov't and now has somehow found its way to the market....
...But that doesn't sound as cool as "milsurp" I guess
![]()
zykopat said:Hope we'll have something soon... 'cause I have to build my SHTF stash!![]()