.223 only AR, no 5.56?

TXAZ · February 3, 2018, 02:04 PM

Simple question does anyone make a .223 AR style rifle that will not (or more likely should not) fire a 5.56 round?

rickyrick · February 3, 2018, 03:24 PM

I thought I had heard of some, but I think it wouldn’t sell very well.

marine6680 · February 3, 2018, 04:14 PM

I have not seen any basic ARs that are 223 only for years.

Most (newer) ARs are 5.56 chambered.

Now you may see some precision ARs with a 223 barrel, but more often, I see them in Wylde chamber.

TXAZ · February 3, 2018, 06:21 PM

That makes sense to me RR & Marine.
Soneone was trying to tell me the .223 only was significantly cheaper but considering we are near commodity pricing it doesn’t make sense.
Thanks

osbornk · February 3, 2018, 07:14 PM

With the current price of ARs, I don't see how they could be much cheaper. I also don't know why someone would want one. It would limit the possibilities. It would be like buying a new 12 gauge shotgun that only shoots a 2 1/2" shell or a 38 Special rather than a 357. I have 2 38 specials and a 12 gauge that only shoots 2 1/2" shells but they are all old (47 to 72) and were acquired used and at moderate cost. I would not buy new.

Panfisher · February 3, 2018, 07:34 PM

My Remington R15 is stamped .223 Rem. Nothing about 5.56, but since I reload everything for it, it doesn't really matter. It's also 1:9 twist so wouldn't like the long heavy bullets that would likely cause the problems anyway.

rickyrick · February 3, 2018, 10:10 PM

I know it’s not AR, but the Mini14 is marked .223 on it but the owners manual and the manufacturer states 5.56...

Way back before Al Gore invented the Internet, we’d buy 5.56 and shoot it instead of .223 because back then everyone said it was the same.

I’ve also heard, so this is only hearsay on my part, is that a .223 only can potentially be more accurate.

I now have at least one Wylde AR barrel. With factory ammunition it seems to be on par with my other ARs... in fact, all my ARs are pretty much equal in the factory ammo accuracy dept. One AR that has the cheapest Anderson 16” carbine gassed barrel is slightly more accurate than the others. It is a 1:8 unlined Barrel. My wife thinks I built it for her

shhhsssshh

Theohazard · February 4, 2018, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panfisher

My Remington R15 is stamped .223 Rem. Nothing about 5.56

Check the barrel, I’ll bet it says “5.56” there. Even semi-auto rifles that are marked “.223” on the receiver usually have their true chambering, 5.56, marked on the barrel.

I don’t know of any company that currently makes a semi-auto rifle that has a true .223 chamber.

T. O'Heir · February 4, 2018, 02:51 PM

There is no "should not fire" when it comes to AR's and .223/5.56. They're the same thing. And you have the option of not buying milsurp ammo.
Before Al Gore invented the Internet, 7.62NATO and .308 Win were the same thing too.

Panfisher · February 11, 2018, 05:18 PM

Nope the receiver has no caliber markings, the barrel is stamped "Rem 1/9 .223 Rem". I have heard that some rifles so marked are actually cut to a 5.56 chamber/leade so I guess that is possible. Accurate bugger either way.

Art Eatman · February 11, 2018, 08:01 PM

I have read numerous articles about using 5.56 in .223 chambers. As near as I can tell from way too many words on the subject, there can be a problem if the 5.56's bullet engages the lands and thereby causes a too-high pressure. Shorter leade in civilian .223 chambers.

I don't recall reading of a blow-up of a bolt-action rifle by using a 5.56 cartridge in a .223 chamber. May be, but I don't know. And I'm in my 20th year at TFL/THR.

hagar · February 12, 2018, 12:35 PM

My 18 inch R15 shoots the 68/69 grain bullets ok, but it really shines with 60 grain Vmax handloads. I don't think you will find any semi marked either .223 or 5.56 that will have a problem with Nato ammo, but the same is not true for bolt rifles. I almost blew my brand new .223 VS up shooting 55 grain Guatemalan surplus. My .223 marked Mini-14 shot them fine.

Guv · February 12, 2018, 12:58 PM

What do you mean by "blew up"? Was the bolt hard to open, did the primer fall out of the primer pocket?

Bartholomew Roberts · February 12, 2018, 01:45 PM

The issue with 5.56 in a tight .223 match chamber is just that you get higher pressures and the case is still stuck to the wall when the bolt begins trying to extract. The rifle then either fails to extract or short-strokes since the bolt has used most of its oomph by the time the case does come loose.

If there has been any problem more severe than that, I’ve never seen it or read a credible account of it.

Captains1911 · February 12, 2018, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. O'Heir

There is no "should not fire" when it comes to AR's and .223/5.56. They're the same thing. And you have the option of not buying milsurp ammo.
Before Al Gore invented the Internet, 7.62NATO and .308 Win were the same thing too.

This is not correct. As they are very similar and interchangeable for the most part, there is a difference.

hagar · February 13, 2018, 12:20 PM

Big puff of smoke first shot. Didn't learn my lesson, second shot blew the case head. That was in 100F+ AZ heat.

Some of the 55 grain surplus would not even fit in my Contender .223 barrel, would get hung up on the lands. I would NEVER shoot them in the TC either.

Ifishsum · February 15, 2018, 11:56 PM

Compass Lake Engineering sells uppers and complete rifles also I think, chambered in .223 CLE Match. They cater to the CMP/Highpower market which is admittedly rather small but they do sell one and I can attest to their qualit and accuracy.

February 3, 2018, 02:04 PM	#1
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	.223 only AR, no 5.56? Simple question does anyone make a .223 AR style rifle that will not (or more likely should not) fire a 5.56 round? __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

February 3, 2018, 04:14 PM	#3
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	I have not seen any basic ARs that are 223 only for years. Most (newer) ARs are 5.56 chambered. Now you may see some precision ARs with a 223 barrel, but more often, I see them in Wylde chamber. Last edited by marine6680; February 3, 2018 at 04:49 PM.

February 3, 2018, 06:21 PM	#4
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	That makes sense to me RR & Marine. Soneone was trying to tell me the .223 only was significantly cheaper but considering we are near commodity pricing it doesn’t make sense. Thanks __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

February 4, 2018, 02:51 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	There is no "should not fire" when it comes to AR's and .223/5.56. They're the same thing. And you have the option of not buying milsurp ammo. Before Al Gore invented the Internet, 7.62NATO and .308 Win were the same thing too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 12, 2018, 12:35 PM	#12
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	My 18 inch R15 shoots the 68/69 grain bullets ok, but it really shines with 60 grain Vmax handloads. I don't think you will find any semi marked either .223 or 5.56 that will have a problem with Nato ammo, but the same is not true for bolt rifles. I almost blew my brand new .223 VS up shooting 55 grain Guatemalan surplus. My .223 marked Mini-14 shot them fine. __________________ I don't have time for busy people

February 3, 2018, 03:24 PM	#2
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	I thought I had heard of some, but I think it wouldn’t sell very well.

February 3, 2018, 07:14 PM	#5
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	With the current price of ARs, I don't see how they could be much cheaper. I also don't know why someone would want one. It would limit the possibilities. It would be like buying a new 12 gauge shotgun that only shoots a 2 1/2" shell or a 38 Special rather than a 357. I have 2 38 specials and a 12 gauge that only shoots 2 1/2" shells but they are all old (47 to 72) and were acquired used and at moderate cost. I would not buy new.

February 3, 2018, 07:34 PM	#6
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	My Remington R15 is stamped .223 Rem. Nothing about 5.56, but since I reload everything for it, it doesn't really matter. It's also 1:9 twist so wouldn't like the long heavy bullets that would likely cause the problems anyway.

February 3, 2018, 10:10 PM	#7
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	I know it’s not AR, but the Mini14 is marked .223 on it but the owners manual and the manufacturer states 5.56... Way back before Al Gore invented the Internet, we’d buy 5.56 and shoot it instead of .223 because back then everyone said it was the same. I’ve also heard, so this is only hearsay on my part, is that a .223 only can potentially be more accurate. I now have at least one Wylde AR barrel. With factory ammunition it seems to be on par with my other ARs... in fact, all my ARs are pretty much equal in the factory ammo accuracy dept. One AR that has the cheapest Anderson 16” carbine gassed barrel is slightly more accurate than the others. It is a 1:8 unlined Barrel. My wife thinks I built it for her shhhsssshh

February 11, 2018, 05:18 PM	#10
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	Nope the receiver has no caliber markings, the barrel is stamped "Rem 1/9 .223 Rem". I have heard that some rifles so marked are actually cut to a 5.56 chamber/leade so I guess that is possible. Accurate bugger either way.

February 11, 2018, 08:01 PM	#11
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I have read numerous articles about using 5.56 in .223 chambers. As near as I can tell from way too many words on the subject, there can be a problem if the 5.56's bullet engages the lands and thereby causes a too-high pressure. Shorter leade in civilian .223 chambers. I don't recall reading of a blow-up of a bolt-action rifle by using a 5.56 cartridge in a .223 chamber. May be, but I don't know. And I'm in my 20th year at TFL/THR.

February 12, 2018, 12:58 PM	#13
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	What do you mean by "blew up"? Was the bolt hard to open, did the primer fall out of the primer pocket? __________________ Walnut and Gloss Blue, mostly!

February 12, 2018, 01:45 PM	#14
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	The issue with 5.56 in a tight .223 match chamber is just that you get higher pressures and the case is still stuck to the wall when the bolt begins trying to extract. The rifle then either fails to extract or short-strokes since the bolt has used most of its oomph by the time the case does come loose. If there has been any problem more severe than that, I’ve never seen it or read a credible account of it.

February 13, 2018, 12:20 PM	#16
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	Big puff of smoke first shot. Didn't learn my lesson, second shot blew the case head. That was in 100F+ AZ heat. Some of the 55 grain surplus would not even fit in my Contender .223 barrel, would get hung up on the lands. I would NEVER shoot them in the TC either. __________________ I don't have time for busy people

February 15, 2018, 11:56 PM	#17
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	Compass Lake Engineering sells uppers and complete rifles also I think, chambered in .223 CLE Match. They cater to the CMP/Highpower market which is admittedly rather small but they do sell one and I can attest to their qualit and accuracy.