.223 vs 5.56

[leecork]

I have been told that these two cartridges are very different. But some of my friends shoot them interchangeably in their AR 15 rifles. I am looking to reload some .223 with brass picked up from our shooting range, and I am concerned about intermixed 5.56 brass. Is there any easy visual way to sort out the 5.56, other than trying to read the very small head stamps ? Thanks

[WarPig1976]

Talk about beating a dead horse...

[Sunray]

"...been told that these two cartridges are very different..." Internet inspired nonsense. It's not a good idea to use range brass. You have no idea what has been done to/with it.

[joem]

I pick up once fired range brass to reload. I know it's once fired because it has a crimped primer pocket which I don't mind.

[dogtag]

Both are ok to shoot in ARs and Mini 14s.
Headstamp will say 5.56.
5.56 is NOT ok to shoot in bolt actions marked 223.

When you pick up brass at the range, look out for Ruger 204
case which is very similar, but too long.

[Matt Anthony]

Both are ok to shoot in ARs and Mini 14s.
Headstamp will say 5.56.
5.56 is NOT ok to shoot in bolt actions marked 223.

When you pick up brass at the range, look out for Ruger 204
case which is very similar, but too long.

You explained it very plain and simple! For the naysayers, there is a difference and the warning is plainly stated!
Matt

[joem]

Thanks Dog for the heads up on that. When I get home I sort all my brass and any thing different goes to the scrap bucket. I have picked up a few .204's but the show up when getting to the decap stage.

[PhillipM]

You explained it very plain and simple! For the naysayers, there is a difference and the warning is plainly stated!
Matt

If he's reloading it, what does it matter beyond the slightly smaller case volume of 5.56?

[Tuna]

It really doesn't matter if he is reloading the brass as it's basically the same.

[dogtag]

It really doesn't matter if he is reloading the brass as it's basically the same.

You're correct, but I was answering his first sentence - re the difference in cartridges.

[tmark]

With the smaller volume of the 5.56, I'd avoid max loads intended for .223 in the 5.56. Work up to max loads gradually and check for signs of excessive chamber pressures like flattened primer or punctured primers, hard extraction, etc.

[Parashooter]

I wonder if those of you asserting less volume for (military) 5.56 cases have actually checked the accuracy of that statement or are just repeating what you've seen on the internet. My own comparisons of Lake City cases and commercial .223 haven't shown any significant difference in weight or volume. While military 7.62 NATO cases are measurably heavier than most commercial .308 Win. cases, the distinction doesn't seem to hold for 5.56/.223 (or for .30/06 cases either). What have you found by actual test?

Also, my Lake City 5.56 case headstamps have only "LC", the year, and (in later years) the NATO standardization mark. They don't "say 5.56" as asserted in post #5 of this thread.

[Matt Anthony]

Is there really a difference and does it matter? I think so and this article explains it. However, one can do whatever they choose and shoot whatever they want in their firearms. The material to discern is out there and furthermore, one can call the manufacturer of theri firearm and find out what the gun should be fed. So much time wasted on this subject when the answers are so easily to get!
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/02/foghorn/ask-foghorn-whats-the-difference-between-5-56-and-223/

[Major Tom]

For many years I have fired both commercial and military ammo in my bolt and AR rifles. I have not ever had a problem. I'm talking 223/556, 308/762 and 30-06. I also reload, but, never max loads.

[browningautorifle]

I'm with Major Tom, this keeps coming up and all it does is argue. They both work fine in anything.

[dogtag]

Lake City brass is military, therefore 5.56
Other brass I have has 5,56 stamp.
Now, I really don't care what people shoot in their firearms,
as long as I'm not standing next to them.
I reload everything I shoot, and I use only my own cast bullets,
so 223/5,56 makes no difference to me.

[Matt Anthony]

Lake City brass is military, therefore 5.56
Other brass I have has 5,56 stamp.
Now, I really don't care what people shoot in their firearms,
as long as I'm not standing next to them.
I reload everything I shoot, and I use only my own cast bullets,
so 223/5,56 makes no difference to me.

As others have said, they shoot military rounds through their bolt guns without a hitch. The subject was, is there a difference between 223 and 5.56. The answer is YES, there is a difference, it cannot be disputed due to facts on chamber dimensions. Now, does it matter, it seems NOT, as I have never witnessed nor heard of a 223 bolt gun blowing up using 5.56 ammunition. It's not about brass, it's about the dimensions of the chambers and that's it! However, whatever is stamped on the barrel, that's what the manufacturer tooled the barrel for, so it's not hard to understand what to shoot in that rifle. I can't understand why there is any argument or even discussion on this subject. All one has to do is read about chamber dimensions and the discussion is over!
Matt

[tmark]

I was told by my gun store man that 5.56 can be fired in .223 bolt guns on a limited basis. Eventually, he said, the stress of the former round will weaken the bolt lugs and locking mechanism in the receiver.

Other sources say a 5.56 is not meant to be fired in .223 rifles. Google "Firing 5.56 ammo in a .223 rifle" for reliable data. The data says not a good idea to fire 5.56 in .223 rifles.

This should be a topic for mythbusters.

[Parashooter]

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone read the original post on this thread? In case you didn't, it's about brass for handloading - not about firing factory ammunition. Wake up, folks!

[Hefights]

Politics, religion, and 5.56 vs .223 (7.62 vs .308)

[PhillipM]

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone read the original post on this thread? In case you didn't, it's about brass for handloading - not about firing factory ammunition. Wake up, folks!

Exactly. Exhibit A

http://cdn2.armslist.com/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2013/10/21/2244678_02_rcbs_ar_series_223_5_56x45_t_c_640.jpg

[Art]

Politics, religion, and 5.56 vs .223 (7.62 vs .308)

.......and what rifle Alvin York used, and are low number '03s safe to shoot :icon_salut:

[tmark]

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone read the original post on this thread? In case you didn't, it's about brass for handloading - not about firing factory ammunition. Wake up, folks!

It is not unusual for responses to a specific post to side track into other parameters related to the general topic. I appreciate and welcome the additional data.

[tmark]

Politics, religion, and 5.56 vs .223 (7.62 vs .308)

Chevy vs Ford?

[tmark]

.......and what rifle Alvin York used, and are low number '03s safe to shoot :icon_salut:

Art, Alvin used a German Luger. Anyone who saw the movie knows that!!! No doubt it was a low number Luger. :eusa_liar:

[WarPig1976]

Chevy vs Ford?

Blonde vs Brunette...well, either one really..:eusa_liar:

[tmark]

LOL

[Dolt]

FYI I have a Ruger Hawkeye in 223 Rem. I had my gunsmith run a Wylde reamer into the chamber so that I could shoot both 223 and 5.56 safely. Gunsmith said that almost no metal was removed by the reamer. He fired both 5.56 and 223 in the rifle and said they both function fine with no unusual pressure signs. I do get almost 300 fps faster, 3100 in 5.56 as opposed to 2850 in 223 commercial ammo. And this is out of a 16 inch bbl. It's all a mystery to me.

[JohnMOhio]

Deleted comment..

John

[JohnMOhio]

It is my understand that the 5.56 NATO round is usually loaded to a higher pressure. Please note that when you size a 5.56 in .223 dies, you get a .223 case. Also I might add that the 5.56 brass is usually thicker. Therefore when sized to .223 spec's the interior is somewhat smaller. If case capacity is less, then the pressure will most likely be higher when equal powder amount is used along with the same bullet verses civilian brass which is a thinner.

John

[JohnMOhio]

For your pleasure and information, go to: www.ar15barrels.com and you will find the spec's on 8 different reamers in use for the chamber and the 12 different dimensions of a reamer. I think you will find it interesting.

John