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Thread: .223 vs 5.56

  1. #1

    Default .223 vs 5.56

    Hey guys

    So as part of planning and prepping to buy a rifle the question arose which of the 2 calibres 2 buy. People say interchangeable but apparently it is not. 5.56 (nato spec or mil surp) cannot always be reliably shot in a .223 or so I have been led to believe. If i am not correct would like to know.

    The question is which is the better cartridge to go? And why? (I am thinking mainly in terms of cost, .223 rem would be easier to reload but maybe 5.56 mil surp ammo cheaper????). Any help and info would be appreciated, know very little on rifles so trying to learn and prep on it.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: .223 vs 5.56

    5.56 always. It's mil-spec or at least it should be if you by an AR made by a reputable manufacturer.

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    Default Re: .223 vs 5.56

    5.56 chamber/barrel... and buy/use .223 or 5.56 ammo

    If you have a good and cheap supply of .223 ammo then .223 rifle is fine. Bulk 5.56 surplus seems to be more available from time to time and thats about the only time you will have an issue.

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    Default Re: .223 vs 5.56

    it's a pressure spec thing. 5,56 is higher so shooting it in a .223 is potentially dangerous.

    for .308 / 7,62 its the other way around. 308 is higher pressure spec

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    Default Re: .223 vs 5.56

    From what I understand, you can use .223 ammunition on a rifle chambered for the 5.56 NATO but not the other way around. The .223 chamber have a shorter throat and the bullet on a 5.56 NATO round will immediately engage the lands when chambered resulting in a much higher pressure when fired.

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    Default Re: .223 vs 5.56

    Ok, so is 5.56 and 223 brass the same?
    As in, if I have once fired 5.56 brass , can I reload it for my 223 bolt action?

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    Default Re: .223 vs 5.56

    I say you could. Read the link, there's very good information in it.
    https://loadoutroom.com/thearmsguide...-223-and-5-56/
    Just make sure the bullets are seated property and not engaging the lands when chambered.

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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BBT View Post
    Ok, so is 5.56 and 223 brass the same?
    As in, if I have once fired 5.56 brass , can I reload it for my 223 bolt action?
    Absolutely.
    Preferably 5.56 brass with Boxer primers.
    It is apparently possible te reuse brass with Berdan primers, but I have never tried.

  9. #9

    Default Re: .223 vs 5.56

    Safety first: Please do not use a 5.56 cartridge or a reload (from someone else) in a barrel stamped as a .223.

    SAAMI standardised the pressures and chamber dimensions for the .223 (Rem).
    That is what you are supposed have with a .223 rifle and/or factory-made .223 ammo.

    5.56 (NATO, mil-surplus, etc.) is military-spec'd ammo. In the case of NATO, it's the US mil-spec (MIL-C-63989C-AR):
    http://quicksearch.dla.mil/Analyse/I...n=251894.31482
    Many countries, however, use "5.56" and their respective military units may have commissioned 5.56 ammo with different specifications to that of 5.56 NATO.
    The 5.56 military service rifles are able to function with higher chamber pressures and temperatures (etc.) than the "civilian" .223 Rem specs.
    Some manufacturers claim "mil-spec" in their marketing... but very few civilians are able to shoot the 10,000 rounds to verify that claim.
    Please check with the experts (which I am not) on their recommendations on a "fit for purpose" 5.56 rifle.

    If you want to reload, use cheap surplus, and avoid the 5.56 vs .223 ammo issue then get a good quality 5.56 rifle.
    Alternatively, get a .223 rifle for less than half the price of a good quality 5.56 rifle and use the "savings" to buy factory ammo. :-)

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    Default Re: .223 vs 5.56

    Quote Originally Posted by philipjordaan10 View Post
    Absolutely.
    Preferably 5.56 brass with Boxer primers.
    It is apparently possible te reuse brass with Berdan primers, but I have never tried.
    Absolutely not. There are minor dimensional differences as well as the thickness of the case not to mention pressure differences in the loaded ammo. Go look at the SAAMI specs and see for yourself.

    https://saami.org




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