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Thread: 5.56 vs .223 ?
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October 13th, 2011, 04:39 PM #1Super Member
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5.56 vs .223 ?
Just purchased my first AR (S&W M&P 15). The model I bought is marked 5.56 and was just curious if .223 or 5.56 were truly interchangeable. Which is cheaper in everyone's experience? I cannot seem to get a definitive answer and the little bit of looking I have done has only confused me a bit more.
I know that .223 is loaded to lower pressures than 5.56......what effect does this have (if any) on accuracy?
Where does everyone get their .223 (or 5.56) ammo?
Really like the new rifle and can't wait to shoot it!Last edited by JohnUSCG; October 13th, 2011 at 04:45 PM.
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October 13th, 2011, 04:46 PM #2
Re: 5.56 vs .223 ?
The difference is Military 5.56 is loaded hotter than .223. Guns chambered for 5.56 have a longer throat in the chamber to compesate for the higher preasure. You can shoot safely .223 in a 5.56 chamber but you should not shoot 5.56 in a .223. Brass and bullets are the same.
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October 13th, 2011, 04:48 PM #3
Re: 5.56 vs .223 ?
The best answer I have ever seen for this is...
.223 is the "civilian" round, 5.56 is the mil-spec round. I have been told and I have read that 5.56 is loaded to higher pressures than .223. For this reason it is safe to shoot .223 from a 5.56 barreled rifle, but can be dangerous to try to shoot 5.56 from a .223 barreled rifle.
So, they are interchangeable in one direction only. As for the cheapest, I have actually found better volume pricing on cases (and even partial cases) of 5.56, but I guess you gotta shop around and grab whatever deals you can find.
I've got a stag Model 2, an M4-style, minus the carry handle. Fun to shoot.While many claim to support the right, precious few support the practice.
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October 13th, 2011, 04:50 PM #4
Re: 5.56 vs .223 ?
Everything you want to know about 5.56 vs .223(or maybe not)
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=55149
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October 13th, 2011, 04:51 PM #5Banned
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Re: 5.56 vs .223 ?
Bulk Russian stuff from AIM surplus is excellent, cheap practice ammo. Your M&P will eat it up just fine. Just remember to give a good cleaning with a chamber brush after use.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...Box&groupid=21
Aim has reasonable shipping and ships fast to PA (they are in ohio). Excellent customer service.Last edited by vicious; October 13th, 2011 at 04:54 PM.
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October 13th, 2011, 09:11 PM #6
Re: 5.56 vs .223 ?
I haven't bought any .223 lately other than from my local guy but here are two I remember from seeing this week:
Palmetto State Armory has bulk Lake City surplus 5.56, 1000rnds for $362 shipped.
Gander Mtn's new flyer has 1000 Federal .223 in a can for $299 after rebate.
If you plan on doing any reloading, commercial brass is the way to go due to crimped primers in the mil stuff.
Nothing wrong with the steel cased stuff for plinking, but some guns do not like it so I would try a few boxes before going for a full case purchase.
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October 13th, 2011, 09:44 PM #7Banned
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Re: 5.56 vs .223 ?
The M&P is a quality AR. It should work fine. If it doesn't then there is a problem with the gun that needs to be addressed. At under $200/1000rds, you can't beat it. Also, i've found it to be just as accurate as other brass cased budget ammo, so it is fine for more than just plinking.
Two exceptions:
-It is not good defensive ammo as it does not fragment in flesh
-If you are running your gun VERY hard...hundreds of rounds in a single evolution sort of hard, you may get the chamber hot enough to melt the polymer coating causing a stuck case. This can be cleared easily with a cleaning rod, however.
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October 14th, 2011, 05:58 AM #8
Re: 5.56 vs .223 ?
Here's a good discussion on this: http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscelld.htm#5.56%20mm%20NATO
It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.
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