Cron
Member
Regarding a reply posted above, my Mini-14 is specified in the manual as a 5.56 chamber, not .223.
5.56 in a .223 bolt action?
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Frog48
Member
Nope... .308 Win is to 7.62x51 NATO as .223 Rem is to 5.56x45 NATO. They're similiar, and often interchangeable, but not identical nor always interchangeable.
sigma 40ve
Member
I am about to find out soon. If my Rem 700 SPS can't handle 5.56, IMO it's not worth having.
SaMx
Member
I read somewhere on the internet* that all imported rifles can handle 5.56 for safety reasons, but they have to be marked .223 for import reasons.
*lots of things on the internet aren't true.
*lots of things on the internet aren't true.
CommanderPoopyduX
Member
I e-mailed Remington and asked them to get an official response and this is what their reply was:
"Thank you for contacting Remington Arms.
The 5.56 and 223 Remington cartridges are similar, but the chambers of the guns and test barrels they are evaluated in are different. One of the key differences is the length of the throat or leade on the 5.56 chamber compared to the 223 Remington. It’s almost twice as long in the 5.56 chamber versus the 223 Remington chamber.
Typically, the 5.56 round is loaded to a higher velocity and pressure level than the 223 Remington.
Firing the 5.56 round in a 223 Remington chamber with the shorter lead can dramatically increase chamber pressures.
Therefore, we recommend against firing the 5.56 round in a 223 chamber, unless the gun is marked with both cartridge designations such as our Model 7615 Patrol Rifle.
Thanks,
Pete"
Now, all I got was they recommended against it, but it was not a definite solid NO. I am still planning on trading my green tip for match 223, but at least I don't have to worry as much if I accidentally shot a round or two of 556.
"Thank you for contacting Remington Arms.
The 5.56 and 223 Remington cartridges are similar, but the chambers of the guns and test barrels they are evaluated in are different. One of the key differences is the length of the throat or leade on the 5.56 chamber compared to the 223 Remington. It’s almost twice as long in the 5.56 chamber versus the 223 Remington chamber.
Typically, the 5.56 round is loaded to a higher velocity and pressure level than the 223 Remington.
Firing the 5.56 round in a 223 Remington chamber with the shorter lead can dramatically increase chamber pressures.
Therefore, we recommend against firing the 5.56 round in a 223 chamber, unless the gun is marked with both cartridge designations such as our Model 7615 Patrol Rifle.
Thanks,
Pete"
Now, all I got was they recommended against it, but it was not a definite solid NO. I am still planning on trading my green tip for match 223, but at least I don't have to worry as much if I accidentally shot a round or two of 556.
Just have you 223 reamed to Wylde chamber specs. It will shoot 223 and 5.56 fine without losing accuracy. In most cases, recutting the throat will accomplish the same thing. BTW, the issue is primarily with M855 bullets, not the older M193.
Jeff F
Member
I've always been under the impression that it was the other way around. That is not to shoot .223 or .308 in 5.56 or 7.62 NATO. Something about NATO chambers being a bit oversize and commercial .223 and .308 being higher pressure and weaker brass could lead to case failure. I have shot a lot of 7.62 NATO in .308 turn bolts with no ill effects. I think 5.56 shot in a .223 bolt action should not be a problem, but I have no experience, no .223 turn bolt.
woof
Member
This is all very confusing especially since it seems less than clear which is which. I see ammo advertised that is labeled .223 Remington/ 5.56mm. So what counts as "military?" Is it only that labeled 5.56mm NATO? Both Wolf and Barnaul have ammo labeled .223 Rem. Is it really different that what they make for military use? I would really like to believe it doesn't matter which you use because I'm not sure you know what you have after you buy it.
CommanderPoopyduX
Member
Exactly. I open a box of American Eagle .223 and it has a NATO headstamp. So is it 223 or 556?
Wolf generally loads their stuff lighter than normal, so I would believe them (and Barnaul as they are basically the same) when they say it is 223. That being said, I wouldn't shoot it for accuracy out of a long range bolt gun either.
Wolf generally loads their stuff lighter than normal, so I would believe them (and Barnaul as they are basically the same) when they say it is 223. That being said, I wouldn't shoot it for accuracy out of a long range bolt gun either.
OK, guys with Federal AE .223 ammo with NATO brass and head stamp:
ATK, who owns Federal, also runs Lake City. They sometimes use LC brass in their cheaper lines ammo, this case AE. Why? LC brass is more heavily massed produced, making it cheaper, and it's available for them to use. Actually, AE ammo can have either Federal marked brass or LC, just depends on what they want to use.
Don't worry, the AE ammo in .223 boxes with LC brass is loaded to .223 specs.
Also note: XM193 is loaded with LC brass with a NATO headstamp, there is no NATO spec for 55gr 5.56 (only US' M193 spec); only 62gr 5.56. It's just cheaper to use M855 brass that's available.
Win 5.56 Q3131 is the same way, it can be loaded in Win's M855 leftover brass with NATO stamp or WCC comerical brass. Either way it's loaded to M193 specs.
One thing's for sure, if it's marked 5.56 it's loaded to a higher pressure than .223. Will it KB a modern rifle? Probably not. Can it cause extraction issues? Yes.
ATK, who owns Federal, also runs Lake City. They sometimes use LC brass in their cheaper lines ammo, this case AE. Why? LC brass is more heavily massed produced, making it cheaper, and it's available for them to use. Actually, AE ammo can have either Federal marked brass or LC, just depends on what they want to use.
Don't worry, the AE ammo in .223 boxes with LC brass is loaded to .223 specs.
Also note: XM193 is loaded with LC brass with a NATO headstamp, there is no NATO spec for 55gr 5.56 (only US' M193 spec); only 62gr 5.56. It's just cheaper to use M855 brass that's available.
Win 5.56 Q3131 is the same way, it can be loaded in Win's M855 leftover brass with NATO stamp or WCC comerical brass. Either way it's loaded to M193 specs.
One thing's for sure, if it's marked 5.56 it's loaded to a higher pressure than .223. Will it KB a modern rifle? Probably not. Can it cause extraction issues? Yes.
CommanderPoopyduX
Member
Kurt_D- if you lean towards no KB, but Extraction issues, and we are talking about a bolt action, basically you are saying no prob?
I left out "...extraction issues in a semi auto"
I'm thinking there's probably no problem in a bolt gun. Just watch your brass for pressure signs and stop if any appear. At any rate you're taking a chance, just like +P ammo in a handgun. Yes, X pistol can handle it but it may shorten the life of certain parts.
I'm thinking there's probably no problem in a bolt gun. Just watch your brass for pressure signs and stop if any appear. At any rate you're taking a chance, just like +P ammo in a handgun. Yes, X pistol can handle it but it may shorten the life of certain parts.
SpeedAKL
Member
Better to play it safe than sorry. Even if the gun doesn't blow, the extra pressure will likely wear down components quicker.
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