Just curious...do you have a preference between 5.56 NATO rounds vs. .223 Remington rounds in your AR-15? Since I bought my M&P15T, I've only used 5.56 NATO rounds. I don't really have a good reason as to why. Are there any noticeable difference in performance between the 5.56 and .223? Will the .223 allow the rifle to have a longer life since it fires with less pressure?
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5.56 NATO or .223?
- Thread starter swons73
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jagular
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I've noticed having to rezero optics, slightly, between the two. The real reason to use .223 over 5.56 is cost and types of loadings. 223 has many different bullet types for hunting and precision. 5.56 not so much. Shooting one over the other probably won't wear out the gun in any noticeable way. I've never seen any proof that would indicate otherwise. Accuracy is negligible when using standard brass cased ammo.
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Kadonny
Member
I like the 5.56 round better but shoot mostly .223 for cost savings.
This is a "half gut" / "half objective" opinion - but I'd say it will make no practical difference in the long run, relative to the life or performance of your gun, whether you shoot .223 or 5.56.
On average muzzle velocities out of a 5.56 seem to be 200-400 fps faster. The gun is obviously designed to take max pressure, but available ammo won't be loaded that hot.
If that added velocity suits your application better that might be a reason to lean toward 5.56. Other than that - I'd say use the one that meets your cost and other objectives (bullet type, etc.)
I'm assuming, of course, we're not talking use in extreme conditions - such as high amounts of dirt, extreme high volume of rounds, etc.
OR
On average muzzle velocities out of a 5.56 seem to be 200-400 fps faster. The gun is obviously designed to take max pressure, but available ammo won't be loaded that hot.
If that added velocity suits your application better that might be a reason to lean toward 5.56. Other than that - I'd say use the one that meets your cost and other objectives (bullet type, etc.)
I'm assuming, of course, we're not talking use in extreme conditions - such as high amounts of dirt, extreme high volume of rounds, etc.
OR
Pisgah
Member
Other than the normal differences you might encounter between any two different loadings of the same cartridge neither you nor your rifle will notice anything.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I too shoot whatever is the least expensive. Most of the time it's the .223 that's cheaper.
I have had really good results from Wolf Gold in .223Rem. Right now it's $279 for 1,000 rounds from SGAmmo.
I have had really good results from Wolf Gold in .223Rem. Right now it's $279 for 1,000 rounds from SGAmmo.
vonn
US Veteran
I do my best to determine what a rifle likes best and try to stock up on that but price obviously comes into the equation.
hdwhit
Member
The first time I shoot a new gun, I use factory ammunition. That way if there is a problem with the gun, the manufacturer (or if it's a really bad problem, the manufacturer's attorney) can't blame it on my reloads.
After that, every round I shoot is one I have loaded myself.
Although I have had to use various powders over the years based on availability, my predominate load is 20.3 grains of IMR-4198 under a Hoernday 60 grain soft point or hollow point bullet producing a velocity out of 16 inch barrel of around 2800 fps. Based on Hornady Manual #4 and Hodgdon Manual #25, this should produce a chamber pressure below the 52,000 psi SAAMI max. for .223 Remington.
So, I guess my answer would be that I use .223 Remington in my AR.
ALSO PLEASE NOTE the manuals I rely upon for the load specified above were printed in the 1980's and later editions have LOWER maximum loads. Always load using data from current published reloading manuals.
It just seems wrong to switch between 5.56 and .223...maybe it's blind ignorance, but I can't get myself to switch back and forth. I've been putting 62 grain 5.56 rounds through my M&P15T on the range. After I dropped in the Geissele trigger, even with the cheap ammo I get a decent grouping. I just ordered some 75 grain Hornady Match rounds to see if I can tighten the grouping even more. But for run-of-the-mill plinking, I think I'll stick with the 62 grain M855s from Lake City or IMI...fairly inexpensive...not $279 for 1000 rounds inexpensive, but enough to fit in my budget.
Pro2nd
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I like whatever is the cheapest. If it's Tulammo, my favorite is Tulammo, if it's M855, it's M855. I'm not doing any crazy accuracy stuff with my rifle, so honestly, I could care less about the bullet effecting the zero because I know my rifles capabilities out do mine and I shoot the AR within my comfort range with it. If I want to reach out and touch something, I'm pulling out my 700.
MichiganScott
Member
I like to run a couple of boxes of factory loads through a new gun to check function and accuracy. After that it's usually my own handloads. I do keep a couple of cases of Lake City XM193 on hand for teaching and bringing newbies into the AR fold.
I'm not real sure where you get that velocity range. The max average pressure of 5.56 x 45mm is slightly higher than for .223 Remington. That doesn't translate into much more than a 100-150 f/s difference in most cases, assuming equal barrel lengths. Maybe 200 f/s for some strange loads.
You are correct that most ammo isn't loaded to maximum pressure. Most ammo producers load to a velocity standard, not to a maximum pressure. The lower pressures noted in more recent load data is due to the increased sensitivity of the piezo-electric pressure measurement system over the old copper crusher system. Some of the old data produced pressure spikes over the established limits that weren't seen using the old sysem.
I was looking at this data - which can be found here:
223 Remington/5.56 NATO, velocity versus barrel length: A man, his chop box and his friend’s rifle – rifleshooter.com
I know we can get into various barrel lengths and bullet weights. But the bottom line point I was trying to make: In general it appears one gets slightly better velocities out of the 5.56.
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Now that I've started my foray into re-loading, I definitely prefer commercial 223 rounds over military 5.56 rounds. One less step to prepare the brass in the commercial 223 rounds since I don't have to worry about the crimp.
Kadonny
Member
Good point, I don't reload but thats a very good point if you do.
Has anyone seen the excellent pricing recently on the 5.56 M193? Prices are now below Wolf Gold prices. Does anyone think prices will fall even further? I think they might.
85V65Sabre
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Kadonny
Member
SG Ammo has/had 1000 rounds with an ammo can for $279 plus $18 shipping. That's the first time I've seen it below $300/1000. I picked on up yesterday.
