.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/201...-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.