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Author Topic: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance  (Read 4576 times)

Hatchet1961

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.223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« on: December 16, 2008, 02:46:24 AM »
.223 Remington is a sporting cartridge with almost the same external dimensions as the 5.56x45mm NATO military cartridge. It is loaded with a 0.224-inch (5.7 mm) diameter, jacketed bullet, with weights ranging from 40 up to 90 grains , though the most common loading by far is 55 grains.

The 55 Grain V-Max works darn good on those Rat Dogs in SD those Black Plague infested flea carrying varmints and people pick them up for pictures. While the tree huggers want to protect them, how many million do we need?


While the external case dimensions are very similar, the .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO differ in both maximum pressure and chamber shape. The maximum pressures for some varieties of the 5.56 mm (different cartridge designations have different standards) exceed the SAAMI maximums for the .223 Remington, and the methods for measuring pressures differ between NATO and SAAMI. The 5.56 mm chamber specification has also changed over time since its adoption, as the current military loading NATO uses longer, heavier bullets than the original loading did. This has resulted in a lengthening of the throat in the 5.56 mm chamber.


Thus, while .223 Remington ammunition can be safely fired in a 5.56 mm chambered gun, firing 5.56 mm ammunition in a .223 Remington chamber may produce pressures in excess of even the 5.56 mm specifications due to the shorter throat.[/u]

So don't do it leave the cheap 5.56 ammo alone you may get away with it for awhile than KAAAA Boom ahhhh where is my hand, HELP!
.223  Barrel = .223 Ammo ONLY
5.56  Barrel = 5.56 or .223
« Last Edit: December 16, 2008, 02:59:59 AM by Hatchet1961 »

Offline LJUnaTIC

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2008, 09:37:24 PM »
I would add that the Wylde chamber is a very good choice, that will accomodate both the .223 and the 5.56 NATO rounds with equal  reliability, but better accuracy than the 5.56 Nato chamber
"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! - I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry

Offline JimP

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Question:
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2008, 09:49:09 PM »
Do the .308 WIN and 7.62 NATO have the same kind of chamber differences?  I have long wanted an M1a, but if I have to worry about futzing about with different chambers, I may get a Garand.....
The Right to Keep and BEAR Arms is enshrined explicitly in both our State and Federal Constitutions, yet most of us are afraid to actually excercise that Right, for very good reason: there is a good chance of being arrested........ and  THAT is a damned shame.  III.

Offline schoolcop

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2009, 09:37:07 AM »
Interesting thread. I'm a fan of the 5.56 mainly for ease of shooting reasons. Hatchet1961, do you have the actual pressure measurements for 5.56 and .223? I'm curious as to how much of a difference there is. Are there alot of reported cases of .223 guns failing from the pressure of too many 5.56 rounds? Or is it just a warning that it could happen? What is the point of having a gun that would only shoot .223? Why not get one made for 5.56 and then be able to shoot both cals.? Why do bullets have such odd measurements? Instead of 5.56, why not 5.5 or 6.0? Same with 7.62, why not just 7.5?  I don't get the odd diameters.

Offline Dan W

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2009, 08:20:29 PM »
There are many issues with firing 5.56 ammo in a .223 chamber, but one of the most common is blown primers from the higher pressures.

A loose primer in the fire control group is very likely to cause a  stoppage when it gets jammed up under the trigger
Dan W    NFOA Co Founder
Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.   J. F. K.

Offline Rich B

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2009, 10:49:05 PM »
What is the point of having a gun that would only shoot .223? Why not get one made for 5.56 and then be able to shoot both cals.?

5.56 chambers are slightly larger than .223 chambers and this generally has a negative affect on accuracy.  For most shooters and most guns, the loss of accuracy isn't very noticeable.  For match shooters, it does make a difference.

Why do bullets have such odd measurements? Instead of 5.56, why not 5.5 or 6.0? Same with 7.62, why not just 7.5?  I don't get the odd diameters.
"Because."

There is no good reason.  In fact, there's more insanity...  .38 Special shoots a .357 caliber bullet.  7.62x39 and 7.62x51 shoot .310" and .308" bullets, respectively.  The .223 Rem actually uses a .224 bullet.  The .22 Long Rifle (.22LR) is chambered in pistols.

Cartridges might as well be named Harry, Sam, and Lou. 
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Offline JimP

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2009, 11:18:23 AM »
Hatchet1961, do you have the actual pressure measurements for 5.56 and .223? I'm curious as to how much of a difference there is.

I'm not Hatchet, but I have an answer for you:


http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscelld.htm#5.56%20mm%20NATO

Fatherfrog's is a gold mine of shootystuff related information (Lotsa Col. Cooper stuff there!)

Happy reading!
The Right to Keep and BEAR Arms is enshrined explicitly in both our State and Federal Constitutions, yet most of us are afraid to actually excercise that Right, for very good reason: there is a good chance of being arrested........ and  THAT is a damned shame.  III.

Offline schoolcop

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2009, 04:06:20 PM »
Good stuff, thanks.

Offline DJPeter

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2009, 07:35:19 PM »
Thanks for the schooling.
"A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country".
James Madison

Offline JimP

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2009, 10:11:19 PM »
I didn't teach anyone here anything....just pointed the way to a library...... Thank Jay for putting this site up, and Fr. Frog for his!
The Right to Keep and BEAR Arms is enshrined explicitly in both our State and Federal Constitutions, yet most of us are afraid to actually excercise that Right, for very good reason: there is a good chance of being arrested........ and  THAT is a damned shame.  III.

Offline I'llSeeYouOnTheBattlefield

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Re: .223 VS 5.56 There Is A Differance
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2010, 11:07:06 PM »
I know the chamber pressure is 52,000 psi,as for the .223 not sure.The 5.56 the MV is 2,970 fps.