courting disaster?

[oldiegoldie]

I have .223's in Ruger ranch rifles and Model 70 Winchester. Bought a Sport II in 5.56 and really like it. What happens if I inadvertently shoot 5.56 in my .223's? How about .223 in the Sport II? appreciate any feedback.

 

[Radco]

I am a AR/556 Noob! So IMO a GREAT question!
So my take so far is !
The 223 in a 556 no problem, So far thats all I shot in my New Sport II, But they say DO NOT shoot a 556 in a 223 gun as there is a minor difference between the two.. I am no expert but the experts will give the proper answer, But I think the neck of the 556 may not seat properly! And the PRESSURES are a little hotter then a 223. What failure will you have?I would not want to find out! I will wait to hear from the pros .
I will be waiting to see what the pros say

 

[Moe Mentum]

5.56 has higher pressure than .223. I would not chance it.

 

[WI357SIG]

"Can I shoot 5.56 NATO ammunition in my Mini-14 or Ranch Rifle?
With the exception of the Mini-14 Target Rifle, which accepts only .223 Rem. ammunition, .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO can be used in all Mini-14 rifles and Ranch Rifles.
Please note that "Military Surplus" 5.56mm NATO can vary greatly in its quality and consistency."

Copied off FAQ on the Ruger website.

 

[OKFC05]

The problem with 5.56 in .223 is that the 5.56 standard chamber has almost twice the leade of a .223. So it depends on how the ammunition is loaded whether it is a problem chambering in a .223 chamber.


The pressure difference is there (62K vs 55K), but IMHO not significant with the model 70 or Ruger Ranch, both of which are very strong rifles, IF the ammunition chambers correctly.

 

[SWMP15Pks]

Stick with the .223. Almost identical loads in the two calibers from most every manufacturer I see on the shelves, and like has already been said .223 is safe from the 5.56 NATO chamber. So, why not go shoot up all your 5.56 at your next range trip, and stick to only 223 from then on? Up to you...

From what goes on at my local Cabelas the 223 is usually a few cents cheaper anyway. I've heard all kinds of things about how the pressures are different, the case walls are thicker/thinner, the primers being staked, etc. I've never seen anything mentioned about ballistics, (I'm guessing because they are so close its a non factor...).

 

[Engineer1911]

If you are shooting 55 grain FMJ bullets, your rifle will not tell the difference between 223 Remington and 5.56 NATO. The difference is very similar to 6 eggs versus a half-dozen.

There is all the data, statistics, and warnings but 30,000 rounds fired through 5 different rifles proved to me there ain't much difference. There is a difference in energy levels in different countries loadings of the ammo. I wouldn't shoot any Korean ammo of any caliber in any of my firearms.

YMMV.

 

[WR Moore]

Check the paperwork with your Ruger and/or their website. Ruger has long cut 5.56 mm chambers in their rifles and it's safe to use 5.56 x 45mm ammo in those with the correct chamber.

 

[hdwhit]

Wikipedia's entry on the 5.56x45 cartridge contains a section explaining the differences.

5.56x45mm NATO - Wikipedia

 

[shawn mccarver]

Bill Ruger himself covered this issue in an interview way back in the dark ages, in which he said, apparently in his gruff style, that his Mini 14 chamber could handle 5.56 NATO without issue even though the rifle was sold, likely for "sporting purposes," as a .223.

As to the bolt actions, I suggest you stay with the caliber marked on the rifle.

As to the Sport II, it will shoot either 5.56 or .223 without issue.

Good luck.

 

[MichiganScott]

The only primers I've ever blown were when I shot some WCC99 in a Bushmaster National Match. It happens, particularly in a tight match chamber.

 

[Kadonny]

5.56 has higher pressures than .223 so a barrel rated at 5.56 will handle the .223 no problem, but not vise versa. Easy to remember.

 

[TX-Dennis]

What happens if you shoot 5.56 in your .223? Probably nothing, but it's not a good idea to make a habit of it just in case.

I only shoot .223 in my 5.56 rifles. It costs a bit less, and I am cheap.

 

[Arik]

If you are shooting 55 grain FMJ bullets, your rifle will not tell the difference between 223 Remington and 5.56 NATO. The difference is very similar to 6 eggs versus a half-dozen.

There is all the data, statistics, and warnings but 30,000 rounds fired through 5 different rifles proved to me there ain't much difference. There is a difference in energy levels in different countries loadings of the ammo. I wouldn't shoot any Korean ammo of any caliber in any of my firearms.

YMMV.

And not just that. How many people are/were buying the Federal 556 overruns? Norwegian, Lithuanian, Israeli, Serbian military 556. All those people buying it to shoot in their Colts, S&W, Ruger, DD, Bushmaster, Windham, ...bla bla bla.....by now you'd think there'd be hundreds of videos online of people posting problems. Because we all know it WILL be on YouTube

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[SWMP15Pks]

As to the Sport II, it will shoot either 5.56 or .223 without issue.

Good luck.

This. Just like mentioned above, but prettier. For me, its like having two different powders on the bench. Don't do it, and mistakes are not possible. Do so, and it's only a matter of time till uncle Murph shows up at the door with a hospital bill and a ruined firearm... Why chance it? If you can show me the point of impact difference between the same load in a 223 vs a 556 I'd be impressed.

 

[Dave270]

For whatever it is worth..... I have a Remington Model 722 that was .222 and had it rechambered to .223. I also have a Winchester Model 70 chambered in .223.. I have shot 5.56mm ammo in both of them with absolutely no problems. If you have a good bolt action rifle, such as a Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Savage, etc., I believe that these actions are strong enough to handle any 5.56 ammo..

JMHO

Dave

 

[BAM-BAM]

My .223 bolt guns are CZs............Model 527s....... CZ in their literature and on their website say their guns can handle both .223 and 5.56.

The general consensus is that .223 is GTG in 5.56........... but some .223 chambers may be to tight for 5.56...... don't force it!!!!


Now how about..... 7.62 vs .308 .....

 

[Mike G 0351]

Simple answer is shoot what is marked on your Barrel.

 

[old tanker]

I have a Ruger No.1 varmint in .223. It is plenty stout, but the 1-12 twist barrel does poorly with bullets heavier than 55 grains. 5.56 NATO (the REAL stuff with the circle cross headstamp) has always been a 62 grain bullet. This goes back to the late 70's.

" In 1977, NATO members signed an agreement to select a second, smaller caliber cartridge to replace the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.[8] Of the cartridges tendered, the 5.56×45mm NATO was successful, but not the 55 gr M193 round used by the U.S. at that time. Instead, the Belgian 62 gr SS109 round was chosen for standardization. The SS109 used a heavier bullet with a seven grain steel core for better penetration against lightly armored targets,specifically to meet a requirement that the bullet be able to penetrate through one side of a steel helmet at 600 meters. It had a slightly lower muzzle velocity but better long-range performance. This requirement made the SS109 (M855) round less capable of fragmentation than the M193 and was considered more humane."

So, if you are shooting an older, slow twist, .223 will be what you want, not the 'green tip' your National Guard buddy cadged from last AT.

 

[Inusuit]

Inadvertently. He said inadvertently. Good information, but I don't think he's planning on intentionally shooting lots of rounds other than what's specified for his rifles.