February 3, 2018, 02:04 PM | #1 |
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.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?
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February 3, 2018, 03:24 PM | #2 |
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I thought I had heard of some, but I think it wouldn’t sell very well.
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February 3, 2018, 04:14 PM | #3 |
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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 |
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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
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February 3, 2018, 07:14 PM | #5 |
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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.
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February 3, 2018, 07:34 PM | #6 |
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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.
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February 3, 2018, 10:10 PM | #7 |
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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 4, 2018, 12:54 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
I don’t know of any company that currently makes a semi-auto rifle that has a true .223 chamber.
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February 4, 2018, 02:51 PM | #9 |
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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.
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February 11, 2018, 05:18 PM | #10 |
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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.
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February 11, 2018, 08:01 PM | #11 |
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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, 12:35 PM | #12 |
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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.
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February 12, 2018, 12:58 PM | #13 |
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What do you mean by "blew up"? Was the bolt hard to open, did the primer fall out of the primer pocket?
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February 12, 2018, 01:45 PM | #14 |
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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 12, 2018, 08:16 PM | #15 |
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This is not correct. As they are very similar and interchangeable for the most part, there is a difference.
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February 13, 2018, 12:20 PM | #16 |
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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.
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February 15, 2018, 11:56 PM | #17 |
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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.
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