5.56 and .223 compatibility

[Kevin]

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]

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]

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]

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]

OP:

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



.

 

[Dan in MI]

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

 

[RSIno1]

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]

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]

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

 

[Rick Courtright]

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]

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

when in doubt..read the manual

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

 

[Snake45]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Rick Courtright]

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]

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

Yup. :wink:

 

[Ale-8(1)]

when in doubt..read the manual

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

^^^This^^^
:mrgreen:

 

[golferboy426]

when in doubt..read the manual

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

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]

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.

 

[golferboy426]

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.

again read the manual for your specific mini..... I looked at 3 or 4. All said 556 was fine.


The Ruger instruction manual for mini's made after 2004 which I have linked to states on page 14 that only the TARGET model cannot use 556 Thus any other mini model can run either

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

 

[rugerjunkie]

I wasn’t picking on you or anyone specifically golferboy just making a general statement. And I gave up on mini-14’s years ago when wasting ammo got boring and shooting small groups caught my attention.

The paragraph about the target mini only being able to shoot 223 kind of makes a point doesn’t it? It is chambered in 223 , not 5.56 or some variation of the 223 chamber like the wylde chamber.

 

[eric conrad]

One of Flatgate's favorite sayings "RTFM"
Call Ruger they will send you one.

 

[golferboy426]

I wasn’t picking on you or anyone specifically golferboy just making a general statement. And I gave up on mini-14’s years ago when wasting ammo got boring and shooting small groups caught my attention.

The paragraph about the target mini only being able to shoot 223 kind of makes a point doesn’t it? It is chambered in 223 , not 5.56 or some variation of the 223 chamber like the wylde chamber.

mini's can be fun..we used to shoot for money..set up 20 clay pigeons at 100 yds ...head to head ...first to break 10 wins.best to have a 30 round mag LOL

 

[wwb]

mini's can be fun..we used to shoot for money..set up 20 clay pigeons at 100 yds ...head to head ...first to break 10 wins.best to have a 30 round mag LOL

My Savage Model 12 would require 10 shots to break 10 birds at 100 yards.... a bolt action might be slower, but it will get the job done.

 

[Snake45]

mini's can be fun..we used to shoot for money..set up 20 clay pigeons at 100 yds ...head to head ...first to break 10 wins.best to have a 30 round mag LOL

My Savage Model 12 would require 10 shots to break 10 birds at 100 yards.... a bolt action might be slower, but it will get the job done.

So would any of my ARs, or my M1, or several of my .22s. Could I do it from standing? Probably (almost certainly) not. Can you? :?

 

[wwb]

So would any of my ARs, or my M1, or several of my .22s. Could I do it from standing? Probably (almost certainly) not. Can you? :?

A few years ago... no sweat. Ain't quite as steady as I used to be.... might take 11 or 12 shots these days. (That's with a sling).

 

[golferboy426]

all,our "races" are standing off hand, no sling allowed

 

[Snake45]

I did my own extensive testing a few years ago, and found that a sling made no difference in my standing shooting. Oh, it feels more secure, it feels steadier, but it's all psychological--the holes in the paper told the story.

From sitting, from prone, oh my yes a sling makes a huge difference. From standing? None at all in my case.

As always, YMMV. :wink:

 

[Dan in MI]

So where does a Colt SP-1 fit in all this? Or a 70's era M-16?