Load Differences between 556 and 223

solitude127 · December 5, 2011, 09:39 PM

I can't seem to find "recipes" for 556. Do I use the same data for 223?
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
Thanks

**Unclenick** · December 6, 2011, 02:52 AM

Yes. There is very little difference in case capacity between military 5.56×45 NATO and commercial .223 Remington. The slightly more generous 5.56 NATO chambers will run at slightly lower pressures with the same loads, but not a lot lower. Not enough that anyone really counts on it for anything.

You'll find military brass is a little more rugged in an AR or other self-loader than commercial brass is, but I've never had trouble with Winchester or Remington brass in my AR.

solitude127 · December 6, 2011, 01:10 PM

Thank you for the insight. Anybody else?

**Unclenick** · December 6, 2011, 11:24 PM

Just an aside, so it seems less like opinion, you can buy 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington in the store and you'll notice there is no warning not to use one in a chamber designated for the other.

The only other issue it occurs to me to mention is the military has some bullets that are a little long for a rifling pitch any slower than 9". If you have a 12" twist bolt gun, some of those may not shoot well in it, meaning they will become unstable in flight or at least shoot big groups.

steve4102 · December 7, 2011, 08:20 AM

As Nick has stated, use 223 Rem data for your 5.56 rifle/brass. Most 223 data is loaded to the Max 223 pressure of 55k psi. There is high pressure (5.56) load data available from Ramshot/Western Powders. You can find it here.
http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/up...dgun_rifle.pdf

December 5, 2011, 09:39 PM	#1
solitude127 Member Join Date: December 5, 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 74	Load Differences between 556 and 223 I can't seem to find "recipes" for 556. Do I use the same data for 223? http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp Thanks

December 6, 2011, 02:52 AM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Yes. There is very little difference in case capacity between military 5.56×45 NATO and commercial .223 Remington. The slightly more generous 5.56 NATO chambers will run at slightly lower pressures with the same loads, but not a lot lower. Not enough that anyone really counts on it for anything. You'll find military brass is a little more rugged in an AR or other self-loader than commercial brass is, but I've never had trouble with Winchester or Remington brass in my AR. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 6, 2011, 11:24 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Just an aside, so it seems less like opinion, you can buy 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington in the store and you'll notice there is no warning not to use one in a chamber designated for the other. The only other issue it occurs to me to mention is the military has some bullets that are a little long for a rifling pitch any slower than 9". If you have a 12" twist bolt gun, some of those may not shoot well in it, meaning they will become unstable in flight or at least shoot big groups. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; December 8, 2011 at 09:46 PM.

December 6, 2011, 01:10 PM	#3
solitude127 Member Join Date: December 5, 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 74	Thank you for the insight. Anybody else?

December 7, 2011, 08:20 AM	#5
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	As Nick has stated, use 223 Rem data for your 5.56 rifle/brass. Most 223 data is loaded to the Max 223 pressure of 55k psi. There is high pressure (5.56) load data available from Ramshot/Western Powders. You can find it here. http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/up...dgun_rifle.pdf