firing .223 Remington in a 5.56 nato

[Gunzuki]

Question folks, seems like I am getting the same type controversy as with the .308 Winchester and 7.62 x 51 nato , here is the question: Is it safe to fire .223 Remington in a firearm where the barrel ( not the receiver) is marked 5.56 x 45 Nato?

 

[wsl1971]

Yes it should be safe for 223 to be fired from 5.56. The difference is the 223 has less pressure than the 5.56 and the case is thinner in the 223. The 5.56 case is a bit thicker to withstand the higher pressure.

Bill

 

[jkc]

.223 in 5.56 chamber is OK, but the reverse is not. A web search should reveal exhaustive discussion of this...

 

[MichiganScott]

Quick answer - 5.56 has a longer throat and gentler leade lowering pressure.

FWIW, 5.56 brass is not thicker than .223 nor is case capacity less.

 

[getoff]

yes your correct. other way around, not so much...

 

[Gunzuki]

THanx that's pretty clear right there , Appreciate the help

 

[ArchAngelCD]

FWIW, 5.56 brass is not thicker than .223 nor is case capacity less.

100% true, the 5.56mm brass is not thicker than .223 brass.

Like said above many times, it it absolutely safe to shoot .223 ammo in a rifle marker for 5.56mm ammo.

 

[Silver02ex]

No issues at all. I've used many Remington 223 in my Colt 6920. This is because the R-P 223 doesn't have a crimp primer and I save the brass to reload.

 

[wsl1971]

I stand corrected about the case thickness! Thanks everyone!

Bill

 

[Ironhand]

Unless you have a match rifle with a tight chamber it is fine to shoot either .223 or 5.56 out of the same gun.