View Full Version : .223 / 5.56
If a barrel was made for .223 it will not accept 5.56. Where a 5.56 will shoot for both. For instance my Varmint heavy bull barrel AR-15 will shoot .223 only not 5.56.
JaxChris
09-11-2009, 02:10 PM
And shooting .223 out of a 5.56 is a little less accurate because the round is floating in the barrel on the way out, but the twist is still helping it spin.
The round used in 5.56 ammo is actually closer to .224 in diameter.
Neither of these bullet names are accurate though because .223 inches equals 5.66 millimeters, so you would think that a .223 barrel would handle both and the 5.56 would be the limited one... but it's not.
I thought I actually told you this when you brought that 5.56 from Stonehart the other day.
I thought I actually told you this when you brought that 5.56 from Stonehart the other day.
yes.. but at the gun show.. I was with Tony (Phantom), told him the same exact thing.. and that crazy Cuban was all in my ear about how I was wrong..
did you try out the ammo?
Secpro
09-11-2009, 02:45 PM
I've never had a problem shootin 5.56 in a .223 bore, but I have had issues stacking mags. One is obviously bigger than the other!
yes.. but at the gun show.. I was with Tony (Phantom), told him the same exact thing.. and that crazy Cuban was all in my ear about how I was wrong..
did you try out the ammo?
LMAO!!! That's crazy Tony for ya. No, I have not been back to range yet, I was there 2 weeks in a row, each week with different AR's. I will get back out there, the bad part is that I enjoy shooting the varmint more than the tactical.
chrismia
09-11-2009, 03:43 PM
tony was definitely crazy at the gun show.
more than normal...
tony was definitely crazy at the gun show.
more than normal...
hurry up and buy my gun ChrisMia so I can get a 40... :bolt:
anthony20031
09-11-2009, 04:24 PM
hey cris I'm pretty sure my barrel is a 5.56 barrel....I am correct right...just though I would double check lol
JaxChris
09-11-2009, 04:28 PM
If you are able to shoot that 5.56 you bought out of a strictly .223 barrel (not Wylde chambered or anything) without a single stuck round or malfunction, then Stone Hart is not making 5.56 ammunition and are merely labeling their .223 as 5.56 which is not the same.
Also, 5.56 runs at higher pressures than .223, I think the exception is XM193 and XM855 from Federal, which is demil'd and is repacked and crimped with lower pressure powder (or just less of it).
If you want an eat anything AR then you should get a 5.56 barrel with M4 feedramps, an M4 upper with feedramps, an o-ring on the extractor, some Wolff power springs, and have a slightly longer than necessary dwell time in your gas system (i.e. carbine length gas in 14.5" and 16", midlength gas in 18" - if you want soft shooting and controlled muzzle then you would run midlength on 14.5"/16" and rifle length on 18").
With the above combo you can chew thru any ammo out there just like an AK does. I'm sure there are a couple more tweaks you can do, but from what I've found that is about it. Everything I have going right now as far as parts go is focused toward that goal - except I'm going with the softer gas system for more muzzle control, along with a heavier buffer system and an M16 carrier. I will then experiment with a carrier weight as well to see if it is improves control or hampers reliability due to overkill.
Yes Anthony you have a 5.56.
JaxChris
09-11-2009, 04:31 PM
Is it Rock River? If so, it should be a Wylde Chambered barrel which means its bore is in between the specs for .223 and 5.56 to alleviate most problems with 5.56 in a .223 barrel, but not all.
Look up "Wylde Chamber Barrel" to learn more. =)
anthony20031
09-11-2009, 04:41 PM
Thanks Cris I was pretty sure but just wanted to confirm.
And yes it is a Rock Rover flattop. It isn't Wylde chambered though, at least to my knowledge. I purchased the 5.56 for all the reason spoken about so far. I know they do have Wylde chambered barrels though online
mine is 5.56 stamped on the barrel.. I just wanted to shut my buddy up with some hard facts about the difference..
Billy
09-11-2009, 04:47 PM
My Rock River is stamped 5.56 & .223
Cris is right, you should avoid firing 5.56 NATO in .223 chambered barrels. I've never heard about the difference in bullet diameter and in reloading circles, they are usually the same bullet... but hey :idunno:.
Anyhoo, what I have heard/read was that the differences were mainly in the shoulder/neck of the case as far as physical differences. The other aspect was that commercial cartridge standards are regulated by SAAMI while the 5.56 NATO is NATO mil spec. I believe that the NATO cartridge allows for higher pressure thus potentially creating an unsafe situation for rifle barrels/chambers designed specifically for the .223 Rem. But if you have a newer designed rifle, I can't see how it could be compromised.
IIRC, this is the exact opposite of .308 Win and 7.62 NATO
doug5336
09-11-2009, 08:56 PM
One size fits all!!!!!!!!!!
From what I understand the 5.56 is a higher pressure round then the .223. That to my knowledge is the only difference. It has nothing to do with the actual size of the bullet from what I understand.
Secpro
09-12-2009, 10:29 AM
One size fits all!!!!!!!!!!
:+1:
anthony20031
09-12-2009, 12:22 PM
From what I understand the 5.56 is a higher pressure round then the .223. That to my knowledge is the only difference. It has nothing to do with the actual size of the bullet from what I understand.
The case thickness...especially around the neck I believe is the difference along with the 5.56 being loaded hotter. The case being a little thicker especially around the neck for the 5.56 allows for the greater pressure.
I'm pretty sure that is the only difference. In a .223 barrel, it cannot handle the extra pressure that the 5.56 creates. But since a 5.56 barrel can handle the greater pressure of the 5.56, it can handle the reduced pressure of the .223.
So in recap, if I am correct, the 5.56 is loaded hotter than a .223 and for that reason the casing of a 5.56 is a little thicker to handle that increase. That results in a 5.56 barrel having to be able to handle that increase as well while the .223 can not. And that is the reason why a .223 can be shot out of a 5.56 and a .223 barrel but the opposite is not correct.
Satan_3pc
09-12-2009, 09:33 PM
I believe 5.56 is usually 3000fps. .223 is usually 2700fps. Although I suppose that can all vary.
Personally I only shoot 5.56 through my Rock River.
OSI Trainer
03-20-2010, 11:03 AM
.223 vs 5.56 is chamber pressure. 5.56 is MilSpec and produce Higher pressures. Some barrels say .223 and some say NATO 5.56, but your receiver is where you have to look. If your receiver says .223 then dont shoot 5.56 due to the possible excessive pressures. I have SPR 1/8 twist 5.56 and shoot 77g .223 and dont have a problem with accuracy, (900yard hits) thats not the issue. Its the gas pressures. I run .223 ammo in all my M4 and all are 5.56 and shoot as accurate as anything else. Hope this helps