5.56 vs .223

[damnsmooth]

I have a Rock River Arms ar15 lower. I have heard that if I get a upper chambered in 5.56 I can also shoot .223, is this true? What do ya'll think? Thanks

[muleequipped]

5.56 is the metric measurement for the .223. It is the exact same round. Otherwise knows as the NATO round.

[teejhot.40cal]

Yes, but it isn't like shooting .38 special in a .357. It is more like shooting a .308 and a 7.62.:p

[Ausserordeutlich]

There is another thread on 5.56 vs. .223. They're not "the exact same measurements." However, you can fire .223s through your 5.56 chamber. Little "iffy" to fire 5.56 through some .223 chambers.

[Buckythebrewer]

Its the chambers that are not the same(5.56 NATO is hot as well and I believe thicker brass).And it does matter very much what you shoot in what..My ar15 has a rather tight 223 chamber(not sure what reamer was used).I have fired 5.56 malaysian military surplus ammo(NOT SMART!!) ,But when closer inspected I have had near case head seperation as well as primer pockets so inlarged that primers would rattle inside the primer pocket..
The military has stated that it is unsafe to fire 5.56 in a SAAMI 223 chamber.Some chambers have enough room to make it not a big deal but some(like mine)could get you killed by ignoring simple instructions..

223 is fine in 5.56 chambered rifles,just not the other way around..
I ignored the facts at 1st(STUPID!!,,:()but I have seen the results of almost destroying my rifle (and possibly myself)..
The only other thing is, 223 chambers tend to be more accurate sometimes(from what ive read).So choose on your use for the rifle..
If you want flexibility go with a 5.56 chambered rifle.If you want best accuracy look into some of the MATCH type chambers/barreled uppers out there(no guarantee of seeing a difference though:)..

[RockyMtnTactical]

http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm

RRA rifles are chambered in .223Wylde which can handle .223rem or 5.56.

5.56 is the metric measurement for the .223. It is the exact same round. Otherwise knows as the NATO round.

Some of your guys need to read the ammo oracle. .223 and 5.56 are dimensionally IDENTICAL, however, they are loaded to different pressures, which can cause some serious problems if you shoot 5.56 out of a .223rem chambered rifle.

[Maser]

You know I sort of drive my shooting buddies crazy with things like this. We go out with a .308 rifle and I always call it a 7.62mm. Same with a .223 I always call it a 5.56mm. I'm not really much of a military type of guy but I have much love for it. :)

[bennnn]

The military has stated that it is unsafe to fire 5.56 in a SAAMI 223 chamber.Some chambers have enough room to make it not a big deal but some(like mine)could get you killed by ignoring simple instructions..


Not just "the military".... For starter's, read Bushmaster's main catalog on the subject.. It's in good lay terms......

It is UNsafe to fire 5.56 in a .223 ONLY (dedicated) rifle... But not the other way around... You would not try to cram .357 into a .38 would you? (highjacked metaphor from above)

I have heard that if I get a upper chambered in 5.56 I can also shoot .223,
You heard it right brother, but it's a one way street... Don't go the wrong way.....

[dustinlowery]

what if ur rifle says its chambered for .223/5.56

[RockyMtnTactical]

Who makes it? Have you read the ammo oracle yet?

[bennnn]

what if ur rifle says its chambered for .223/5.56

Ask it why it lied to you...it's a one way street... Don't go the wrong way.....

C'mon guys, help me make sure we don't spread mis-info on the internet...

[Ausserordeutlich]

benn: His rifle didn't lie to him. It will chamber and safely shoot both .223s and 5.56mm. Kind of like the fact that you'll have to look pretty hard to find any reloading dies marked "5.56"; all I've ever seen were marked ".223." (Hint; If you run a piece of 5.56 brass through a .223 die, it'll still work in both 5.56 and .223 chambers, as the resized brass will then be done to .223 specs, not 5.56 specs.)

[Maser]

what if ur rifle says its chambered for .223/5.56


5.56 caliber? That's a little too big to be shooting from your shoulder. :D

[Buckythebrewer]

Ive reloaded that 5.56 mylasian brass fine.I believe it has a little less case capacity though because of its thickness(not sure on that one).

[Buglight]

My(complete) Bushmaster stamped 223/5.56 on the lower, and I was wondering the same about shooting them both, I contacted Bushmaster Tech Support and was told " every Bushmaster has a capable of shooting both 223/5.56 but you'll notice more on the 5.56 due to it's hotter than 223 rem.".

I haven't try shooting 5.56 yet.

[Buckythebrewer]

RockyMtnTactical,The Wylde223 chamber is what I was thinking would be best ,but was not sure and could not remember if it was the correct name:).To correct myself,,The wylde chamber would be the best flexibility(and maybe accuracy)from what ive read.There are other chamber reamers but cant remember what they were called.My rifle has a tight throat(can't even chamber 55gr HP wolf ammo).I am not sure what chamber reamer was used.Magazine length ammo does not jump far to the rifling.It is nice when it comes to accuracy.The bore is Very smooth and does not foul easy.I was surprised to get such a good barrel from DPMS.Near 1/2 M.O.A. 5 shot groups at 625yards(scoped on sandbags),and Under M.O.A. with almost any ammo or condition..The thing is ,I don't have flexibility with this chamber.It is a match chamber(whatever it is)and it DOES NOT LIKE HOT 5.56 ammo.Yes I fired it being stupid ,,But I won't do it again.The funny thing is,I could hit a soda can EVERY time with that HOT 5.56 mylasian(corrosive:() ammo at 300 yards with a bi-pod.It was very accurate stuff but corrosive.
I believe chambers and bore finish are the key to accuracy.,,JMO

Maser,,All it takes is courage.:)he he

[1BadF350]

Allow me to summarize so we can move on. This topic has been beat to death several times here at TFL:

Chamber .223 Wylde........223 and 5.56 OK
Chamber .223/5.56........223 and 5.56 OK
Chamber 5.56..........223 and 5.56 OK
Chamber .223.........223 ONLY (Do not shoot 5.56)

5.56 is loaded "hotter" than .223, thus develops pressures greater than .223.

[Buckythebrewer]

Move onto what?:confused:
Were we going?:)

[1BadF350]

Well...I wish I was going to get some trigger time with my AR-50 but I'm stuck at work.:D :p

[Buckythebrewer]

Well im not going to come to your workplace and help you out at work just to shoot that ar50 if thats were you were going with this:D :rolleyes:
If I had a place to shoot one at long ranges ,I would love to own one.