223 or 5.56 - what should I do - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

tonywil · 02-15-2008, 01:09 PM

I am ready to build my first AR - It wil be a 20" varmit rifle. I'm a noob to this and am not quite sure about the .223 vs 5.56 choice. I know that a.223 will be more accurate from the .223 chamber - but how much better is it? Does anybody with a 5.56 shoot 5.56 ammo?

rogerxd45 · 02-15-2008, 01:12 PM

i have a 5.56 and mostly i shoot 223 but i do shoot 5.56 every once and a while. im sorry i cant help much but i havent shot long distance to be able to tell the difference. but i never shoot surplus and if i do another ar i will get it in 223 or the 223 wylde (sp?)

**SVThuh** · 02-15-2008, 01:14 PM

The 5.56 chamber just gives you more options with ammo. You can shoot the 5.56 loaded rounds and also the off the shelf stuff. I have the 5.56 chambers on both my AR's.

The wylde chamber is your other option, but personally, unless its a precision shooter, get the 5.56 and dont bother with the wylde.

**PackerfanXD** · 02-15-2008, 01:16 PM

If you go with .223, you won't be able to shoot any 5.56.
If you go with 5.56, you can shoot both.
That being said, it's a varmint rifle, right? Then I'd probably go with the .223.

Bree · 02-15-2008, 01:21 PM

I have a Wylde chamber so I can shoot both. The 20" varmint barrel is extremely accurate so why would you not take the opportunity to have the best of both worlds?
Go Wylde!!

**PackerfanXD** · 02-15-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bree

Go Wylde!!

Yeah, that's probably the way to go. My RRA had a wylde chamber and it shot .223 and 5.56 accurately. IIRC, the wylde is a compromise between the .223 and 5.56.

EricCartmann · 02-15-2008, 02:03 PM

I would go with .204 Ruger. The ultimate caliber for varmints. 4200 fps baby!

tonywil · 02-15-2008, 02:07 PM

Thanks Bree - I just went Wylde!
RRA 20" upper on the way.

**SVThuh** · 02-15-2008, 04:20 PM

There is only one thing I dont like about the Wylde chamber... I dont really trust that it will effectively handle HOT HOT .223 rounds or HOT 5.56 for that matter. If handloading comes into play and you want just that much more that is. The Wylde is supposed to be a slightly more accurate chamber design though from what I understand. Good luck with it!

LeviSS · 02-15-2008, 06:03 PM

Not to jack, but I've been wondering how much difference is there in cost of 223 vs 5.56?

02-15-2008, 01:09 PM	#1
tonywil XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 51	223 or 5.56 - what should I do I am ready to build my first AR - It wil be a 20" varmit rifle. I'm a noob to this and am not quite sure about the .223 vs 5.56 choice. I know that a.223 will be more accurate from the .223 chamber - but how much better is it? Does anybody with a 5.56 shoot 5.56 ammo?

02-15-2008, 01:16 PM	#4
PackerfanXD XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 6,924 Blog Entries: 1	If you go with .223, you won't be able to shoot any 5.56. If you go with 5.56, you can shoot both. That being said, it's a varmint rifle, right? Then I'd probably go with the .223. __________________ PALIN/McCAIN '08 An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. -Author unknown.

02-15-2008, 01:21 PM	#5
Bree XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 3,054 Blog Entries: 5	I have a Wylde chamber so I can shoot both. The 20" varmint barrel is extremely accurate so why would you not take the opportunity to have the best of both worlds? Go Wylde!! __________________ Shoot Straight and Ride Safe! Bree XD .45 Compact -- Ruger SP-101 .357 Mag. -- Keltec P3AT .380 Rock River Arms 20" Varmint A4 AR-15 w/4-16x56mm MilDot Ruger 10/22 Black Stainless Mossberg 590 Mariner 12 Ga w/Knoxx SpecOps Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide Patriot Guard Rider Iron Butt Association Member The 60's Can't Die As Long As I Won't Leave Them!! I support McCain-Palin with CA$H!

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02-15-2008, 01:12 PM	#2
rogerxd45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: boise ID (its boy-see, not boy-z) Posts: 3,592	i have a 5.56 and mostly i shoot 223 but i do shoot 5.56 every once and a while. im sorry i cant help much but i havent shot long distance to be able to tell the difference. but i never shoot surplus and if i do another ar i will get it in 223 or the 223 wylde (sp?)

02-15-2008, 01:14 PM	#3
SVThuh XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 788	The 5.56 chamber just gives you more options with ammo. You can shoot the 5.56 loaded rounds and also the off the shelf stuff. I have the 5.56 chambers on both my AR's. The wylde chamber is your other option, but personally, unless its a precision shooter, get the 5.56 and dont bother with the wylde.

02-15-2008, 02:03 PM	#7
EricCartmann XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: My Mom's Basement Posts: 1,398	I would go with .204 Ruger. The ultimate caliber for varmints. 4200 fps baby!

02-15-2008, 02:07 PM	#8
tonywil XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 51	Thanks Bree - I just went Wylde! RRA 20" upper on the way.

02-15-2008, 04:20 PM	#9
SVThuh XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 788	There is only one thing I dont like about the Wylde chamber... I dont really trust that it will effectively handle HOT HOT .223 rounds or HOT 5.56 for that matter. If handloading comes into play and you want just that much more that is. The Wylde is supposed to be a slightly more accurate chamber design though from what I understand. Good luck with it!

02-15-2008, 06:03 PM	#10
LeviSS XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 16	Not to jack, but I've been wondering how much difference is there in cost of 223 vs 5.56?