Shooting XM193 in a 223 Rem.

Daekar · February 8, 2013, 04:06 PM

I recently acquired a Howa 1500 chambered in 223, and I'm curious to know if it is advisable to shoot XM193 FMJ rounds through this gun. I already have the ammo for my V93, but that gun has a fluted chamber and renders the cases unsuitable for reloading, so if I want to use the cases they'd have to fired in the new gun. I have heard stories about military ammo causing permanent damage to sporting barrels (compromising future accuracy), and I don't want to run into overpressure situations if the chambers are subtly incompatible.

PawPaw · February 8, 2013, 04:32 PM

Cheaper Than Dirt says no.

Quote:

The primary differences between .223 Remington and 5.56 x 45 mm (NATO) are that .223 Remington is loaded to lower pressures and velocities compared to 5.56 NATO and the 5.56 NATO chamber has a longer leade. .223 Remington ammunition can be safely fired in a 5.56 NATO chambered gun, but the reverse can be an unsafe combination. The additional pressure created by 5.56 NATO ammo will frequently cause over-pressure problems such as flowing brass, difficult extraction, or popped/punctured primers, but in extreme cases, could damage or destroy the firearm.

Additionally, SAAMI also says that we should not use 5.56 military ammo in rifles chambered for .223 Remington.

Mobuck · February 8, 2013, 07:30 PM

I've used M193 in a couple of Savage bolt actions w/o any problems. I'd try it in my Howa/Wby Vanguard but that rifle has a very tight chamber and the surplus ammo I have doesn't chamber readily. I have no big urge to gall the bolt lugs/recesses by forcing the bolt closed so am just passing the M193 on to other more compromising rifles.

jehu · February 9, 2013, 07:34 AM

Simple answer, NO! Do not risk your fine bolt action rifle just to shoot that cheap FMJ.

RonR6 · February 9, 2013, 09:18 AM

Don't take any chances on damaging your nice bolt action .223
Save the 193 for a 5.56 chambered rifle

February 8, 2013, 04:06 PM	#1
Daekar Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2011 Posts: 458	Shooting XM193 in a 223 Rem. I recently acquired a Howa 1500 chambered in 223, and I'm curious to know if it is advisable to shoot XM193 FMJ rounds through this gun. I already have the ammo for my V93, but that gun has a fluted chamber and renders the cases unsuitable for reloading, so if I want to use the cases they'd have to fired in the new gun. I have heard stories about military ammo causing permanent damage to sporting barrels (compromising future accuracy), and I don't want to run into overpressure situations if the chambers are subtly incompatible. __________________ "... I cannot but conclude the bulk of your [politicians] to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth." ~ Jonathon Swift

February 8, 2013, 07:30 PM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I've used M193 in a couple of Savage bolt actions w/o any problems. I'd try it in my Howa/Wby Vanguard but that rifle has a very tight chamber and the surplus ammo I have doesn't chamber readily. I have no big urge to gall the bolt lugs/recesses by forcing the bolt closed so am just passing the M193 on to other more compromising rifles.

February 9, 2013, 07:34 AM	#4
jehu Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2005 Posts: 433	Simple answer, NO! Do not risk your fine bolt action rifle just to shoot that cheap FMJ.

February 9, 2013, 09:18 AM	#5
RonR6 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Location: South Eastern PA Posts: 108	Don't take any chances on damaging your nice bolt action .223 Save the 193 for a 5.56 chambered rifle