5.56 and .223 compatibility

Kevin · Mar 15, 2021

Ok, so I know 223 can be used in a barrel marked 5.56. BUT, not the reverse. But I don't know why? On paper the two cartridges look identical. Are they not?

And if I use 223 in a 5.56 barrel, are there any limitations? Such as, not that much, or a only certain bullet weights or brands? Brass vs steel?

I've got an AR marked 5.56. But at the LGS they sold me some 223 and said it would be safe, and it's steel cased. I haven't shot it yet.

I know the Wylde barrels are supposed to be able to shoot both without issue, correct? Are those barrels as accurate as a specific caliber barrel? What is the benefit of having one vs the other? Wylde barrel vs caliber specific that is.

Just some thought I had driving home from the gun range yesterday.

crstrode · Mar 15, 2021

Kevin said:
Ok, so I know 223 can be used in a barrel marked 5.56. BUT, not the reverse.

What you know to be true is not.

recumbent · Mar 15, 2021

5.56 is a higher pressure than 223. Wylde barrels are accurate.The only difference between the two barrels is the chamber. This explains it:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.223_Wylde_chamber

Kevin · Mar 15, 2021

Thanks for the link. I have looked in my reloading manual. Hornady 10, and it does show the two cases to be identical. The loads are also very similar, but the 5.56 does show more powder being used.

TX Nimrod · Mar 15, 2021

OP:

https://www.hornadyle.com/resources/le-faq/what-is-the-difference-between-556-nato-and-223-rem-ammunition

.

Dan in MI · Mar 15, 2021

Short version. 5.56 is higher pressure and has slightly different chamber dimensions. If memory serves longer throat.

RSIno1 · Mar 15, 2021

recumbent said:
5.56 is a higher pressure than 223. Wylde barrels are accurate. The only difference between the two barrels is the chamber. This explains it:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.223_Wylde_chamber

More fiction - the pressures are nearly identical but measured by 2 different methods which makes them look far apart. The lead in the rifling is different for the two. I have all 3 chambers 223/556/Wylde and shoot 223/556/reloads out of any of them with zero problems and the same accuracy. I have shot some 77 grain Sierra Matchking bullets in my heavy barrel Wylde chambered AR with great results.

Uncle Howie · Mar 15, 2021

TX Nimrod said:
OP:

https://www.hornadyle.com/resources/le-faq/what-is-the-difference-between-556-nato-and-223-rem-ammunition

TX Nimrod- thanks for posting this link.

I hope everyone on this thread has a chance to read it.

golferboy426 · Mar 16, 2021

mini 14's are marked 223 but you can run 5.56 through them forever with no issues

Rick Courtright · Mar 27, 2021

golferboy426 said:
mini 14's are marked 223 but you can run 5.56 through them forever with no issues

Hi,

Does that advice come from Ruger, or just the Interwebs where everybody with a keyboard knows more than the people who make the stuff?

An acquaintance bought a Savage bolt action rifle several years ago, in .223. He called Savage to ask about using 5.56 ammo in that rifle. The lady on the phone must get that question a zillion times a week, because she asked him "What's marked on the barrel?" He replied ".223." She said "Then that's what you should shoot in it. Thank you for your call." Click...

Folks who make the guns, and the ammo, know things about their products that we don't. So it doesn't hurt me a bit to stick with what they say. For folks from the "It ain't blow'd up so it's safe" school of thought, you might be right, but please stay a few lanes away at the range...

Rick C

golferboy426 · Mar 27, 2021

Rick Courtright said:
golferboy426 said:

mini 14's are marked 223 but you can run 5.56 through them forever with no issues

Click to expand...

Hi,

Does that advice come from Ruger, or just the Interwebs where everybody with a keyboard knows more than the people who make the stuff?

An acquaintance bought a Savage bolt action rifle several years ago, in .223. He called Savage to ask about using 5.56 ammo in that rifle. The lady on the phone must get that question a zillion times a week, because she asked him "What's marked on the barrel?" He replied ".223." She said "Then that's what you should shoot in it. Thank you for your call." Click...

Folks who make the guns, and the ammo, know things about their products that we don't. So it doesn't hurt me a bit to stick with what they say. For folks from the "It ain't blow'd up so it's safe" school of thought, you might be right, but please stay a few lanes away at the range...

Rick C

when in doubt..read the manual

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/mini14-180.pdf

Snake45 · Mar 27, 2021

Rick Courtright said:
she asked him "What's marked on the barrel?" He replied ".223." She said "Then that's what you should shoot in it. Thank you for your call." Click...

She sounds like an idiot. The Savage 110 is a hella strong bolt action. There's no reason it shouldn't be able to handle any milspec 5.56.

There MIGHT be SOME light .223 rifles that would have problems with hot-loaded 5.56, but I can't imagine the Savage 110 would be one of them.

wwb · Mar 27, 2021

Snake45 said:
She sounds like an idiot. The Savage 110 is a hella strong bolt action. There's no reason it shouldn't be able to handle any milspec 5.56.

There MIGHT be SOME light .223 rifles that would have problems with hot-loaded 5.56, but I can't imagine the Savage 110 would be one of them.

In reference to the thread about annoying phrases..... "built like a tank...". In the case of a Savage 110, sadly, this phrase actually applies.

Edited.... this would actually be the Savage Model 10 (short action) as opposed to the 110 (standard, or .30-06 length action) Also applies to the Savage Model 12 (as opposed to the 112).

Snake45 · Mar 27, 2021

Followup: I went on Savage's website and found the issue addressed under their FAQs. They "recommend" only .223 in their ".223" rifles but don't use the word "dangerous" or state that shooting 5.56 would void the warranty. Sounds like CYA language but I still don't think there would be a problem.

wwb · Mar 27, 2021

Snake....
Repeat after me.... "lawyer".

Rick Courtright · Mar 27, 2021

golferboy426 said:
when in doubt..read the manual

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/mini14-180.pdf

Hi,

Thank you! I don't have, or care to own, a Mini-14 so I didn't have a manual at hand. With apologies to Flatgate!

Rick C

Snake45 · Mar 27, 2021

wwb said:
Snake....
Repeat after me.... "lawyer".

Yup. :wink:

Ale-8(1) · Mar 27, 2021

golferboy426 said:
when in doubt..read the manual

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/mini14-180.pdf

^^^This^^^
:mrgreen:

golferboy426 · Mar 27, 2021

Rick Courtright said:
golferboy426 said:

when in doubt..read the manual

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/mini14-180.pdf

Click to expand...

With apologies to Flatgate!

Rick C

LOL Many here won't get the reference.. I met Carl through my dad LONG before any internet when things were sold via the Shotgun News or later the Gun List. Dad sold him quite a few guns and somewhere I have at least one written correspondence of a transaction

rugerjunkie · Mar 29, 2021

Nice to be on a forum where people know more than the ammo companies making and testing ammo. There's more than just Hornady saying what they say about the matter too. The old mini could run 5.56 because the chambers were sloppy enough to chamber a 243! Exaggerating , but all the 180 series I had were terrible.

Do whatever you want but remember things are always fine until they aren't. You can shoot 5.56 in a 223 and maybe never have an issue until that one day you load that one round into the gun and all of the sudden things aren't fine anymore.

5.56 and .223 compatibility

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