5.56 vs .223 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**jonny4523** · 11-02-2006, 06:44 AM

I need help expanding my knowledge. What's the big differences between 5.56 and .223? I know 5.56 is supposed to be hotter, but are the shell casings the same size? We are looking into getting 5.56 instead of .223 for our club AR guns. Thanks.

Steel1212 · 11-02-2006, 06:48 AM

If you looking at the guns the 5.56 chamber is going to be a touch more loose than the .223 chamber for more reliablity. The .223 chamber should be a touch more accurate do to being more tight.

**nikon777** · 11-02-2006, 07:03 AM

Slight difference in throat as well as a difference in pressures. you cant use 556 in a 223 specific barrel, however you can use 223 in a 556 specific barrel. Although some argue this, saying you can shoot 556 in a .223 barrel.

mcb · 11-02-2006, 07:21 AM

http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm

My new AR-15 from RRA has a Wylde chamber. Its a compromise between the 223 Rem chamber and the standard 5.56x45 NATO chamber. There are also several other options other than those three. Try the above link for lots more information.

As for firing 5.56x45 NATO ammo in a 223 Rem chamber rifle. If the rifle is modern and good condition it will probably not hurt the rifle. The 5.56X45 is hotter but usually not that much to cause a problem. If you have an older 223 Rem rifle with a weaker action you might have problems. You will also likely have bullet stabilization problem as old 223 Rem barrel often had 1:12 twist and this will not stabilize the heavier bullet often used in NATO ammunition.

rambling
mcb

Nerves · 11-02-2006, 08:02 AM

A 556 can handle the "hotter" loads as compared to a .223 specific weapon. You can shot .223 in a 5.56 but you can NOT shot a 5.56 in a .223.

No the bug difference as in .38 and .357 Mag...but similar in that you can shot .38 in a .357 revolver and not the other way around...

When choosing you first AR I would highly reccomend that being a 5.56...

Timmy44221 · 11-02-2006, 08:21 AM

One major problem using 5.56 in a .223 gun is that the .223 tend to be "tighter" WHen I get mine Ill go with 5.56. There are plenty of good leads for it, and you can safely use .223 in it also.

mcb · 11-02-2006, 08:36 AM

SAAMI spec for 223 Remington: 55,000psi

Chamber pressures for a selection of standard military loads:

Ball M193: 52,000 psi
Tracer M196 52,000 psi
Ball M855: 55,000 psi
AP M995: 50,250 psi

Taken from:
TECHNICAL MANUAL
ARMY AMMUNITION DATA SHEETS
SMALL CALIBER AMMUNITION
FSC 1305
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
APRIL 1994

It does not appear military loads are hotter than SAAMI loads. This is far from exhaustive search but interesting none the less.

As you can see from the drawing only one dimension is different and that is the neck diameter and the NATO is smaller.

mcb

ManNamedJed · 11-02-2006, 10:19 AM

I shoot Radway green 556 surplus in my Savage 12BVSS .223 varmint rifle. It works fine and is quite accurate (1/2" at 100yards).

drawson · 11-02-2006, 10:27 AM

The only thing I have seen is in WWB the 5.56 has crimped primers & the 223 doesn't.

mcb · 11-03-2006, 07:41 AM

Check out this PDF I found over at AR15.com

http://www.ar15barrels.com/data/223-556.pdf

All the dimensions you ever wanted to know on several of the most common chamber dimension for both 223 Rem and 5.56 NATO.

Enjoy
mcb

11-02-2006, 06:44 AM	#1
jonny4523 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 2,033	5.56 vs .223 I need help expanding my knowledge. What's the big differences between 5.56 and .223? I know 5.56 is supposed to be hotter, but are the shell casings the same size? We are looking into getting 5.56 instead of .223 for our club AR guns. Thanks. __________________ -XD40 Service (Feb 2002) Springer Precision Carry Trigger -XD9 Tactical (June 2007) Springer Competition Trigger, USPSA Production -Remington 870 Mag, 12g, my hunting companion -Thompson/Center Triumph (June 2007) -Ruger Mark II (Oct 2004) Gvt Comp Model -AR build (Sept 07 - May 08 ) Mostly RR NRA, USPSA #TY60062 -If guns kill people, then spoons made Rosie O'Donnel fat! -When seconds count, the police are only minutes away

11-02-2006, 06:48 AM	#2
Steel1212 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 566	If you looking at the guns the 5.56 chamber is going to be a touch more loose than the .223 chamber for more reliablity. The .223 chamber should be a touch more accurate do to being more tight. __________________ Corey Estill USPSA: A57351 IDPA: A26629 "Master or bust!!"

11-02-2006, 07:03 AM	#3
nikon777 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH. The Danger Zone. Posts: 6,951	Slight difference in throat as well as a difference in pressures. you cant use 556 in a 223 specific barrel, however you can use 223 in a 556 specific barrel. Although some argue this, saying you can shoot 556 in a .223 barrel. __________________ Wu-Tang Killa' Bees on Da' Swarm! Liberals Click Here!

11-02-2006, 07:21 AM	#4
mcb XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North East Ohio Posts: 2,050	http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm My new AR-15 from RRA has a Wylde chamber. Its a compromise between the 223 Rem chamber and the standard 5.56x45 NATO chamber. There are also several other options other than those three. Try the above link for lots more information. As for firing 5.56x45 NATO ammo in a 223 Rem chamber rifle. If the rifle is modern and good condition it will probably not hurt the rifle. The 5.56X45 is hotter but usually not that much to cause a problem. If you have an older 223 Rem rifle with a weaker action you might have problems. You will also likely have bullet stabilization problem as old 223 Rem barrel often had 1:12 twist and this will not stabilize the heavier bullet often used in NATO ammunition. rambling mcb __________________ If at first you don't succeed; RELOAD _ _ _ _ My web site

11-02-2006, 08:02 AM	#5
Nerves XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl. Posts: 2,028	A 556 can handle the "hotter" loads as compared to a .223 specific weapon. You can shot .223 in a 5.56 but you can NOT shot a 5.56 in a .223. No the bug difference as in .38 and .357 Mag...but similar in that you can shot .38 in a .357 revolver and not the other way around... When choosing you first AR I would highly reccomend that being a 5.56... __________________ \"WHEN YOU PUT ON YOUR GUN LEAVE YOUR MIDDLE FINGER AT HOME\" NRA Member IDPA Member--Wilson Combat CQB (CDP) USPSA Member--New XD 9 Tac & G34 (Production ) IPSC Open Major--STI Trubor Grandmaster CCW's: -- XD-45 ACP 4" with Truglo TFO's & M6 Laser/Light --Kimber Tactical Pro II, ...Many More

11-02-2006, 08:21 AM	#6
Timmy44221 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 797	One major problem using 5.56 in a .223 gun is that the .223 tend to be "tighter" WHen I get mine Ill go with 5.56. There are plenty of good leads for it, and you can safely use .223 in it also.

11-02-2006, 08:36 AM	#7
mcb XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North East Ohio Posts: 2,050	SAAMI spec for 223 Remington: 55,000psi Chamber pressures for a selection of standard military loads: Ball M193: 52,000 psi Tracer M196 52,000 psi Ball M855: 55,000 psi AP M995: 50,250 psi Taken from: TECHNICAL MANUAL ARMY AMMUNITION DATA SHEETS SMALL CALIBER AMMUNITION FSC 1305 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY APRIL 1994 It does not appear military loads are hotter than SAAMI loads. This is far from exhaustive search but interesting none the less. As you can see from the drawing only one dimension is different and that is the neck diameter and the NATO is smaller. mcb __________________ If at first you don't succeed; RELOAD _ _ _ _ My web site Last edited by mcb : 11-02-2006 at 08:41 AM.

11-02-2006, 10:19 AM	#8
ManNamedJed XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 15	I shoot Radway green 556 surplus in my Savage 12BVSS .223 varmint rifle. It works fine and is quite accurate (1/2" at 100yards).

11-02-2006, 10:27 AM	#9
drawson XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mountain Green, Utah Posts: 87	The only thing I have seen is in WWB the 5.56 has crimped primers & the 223 doesn't. __________________ IPSC Master in Ltd 10, Ltd, & Open Range master @ Impact guns USPSA A-24264

11-03-2006, 07:41 AM	#10
mcb XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North East Ohio Posts: 2,050	Check out this PDF I found over at AR15.com http://www.ar15barrels.com/data/223-556.pdf All the dimensions you ever wanted to know on several of the most common chamber dimension for both 223 Rem and 5.56 NATO. Enjoy mcb __________________ If at first you don't succeed; RELOAD _ _ _ _ My web site

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