.223 or .224?

[PennsyPlinker]

I work in a profession where things are measured by eye. Some guys measure things in 1/32", or even 1/64". Then the engineers show up and get us all worked up over several decimal places. That is having a residual effect on me now, despite all the fun I poke at said engineers in my public presentations.

So anyway, I am off to Cabela's tomorrow to buy a bunch of stuff (i.e. reloading components) for my 5.56mm/.223 cal rifle. Am I right in assuming that it is not a good idea to try and stuff a .224 bullet down a .223 hole? I ask because (and I know this is hard to believe, but it happens) I have gotten inaccurate info from the expert outfitters at Cabela's in the past.

[jtl1952]

.224 is the correct diameter for .223 Remington, or 5.56mm.
Here's a link to really good information - answers questions that I see asked often. One to "bookmark" -
http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

[PennsyPlinker]

Thanks for the link! It looks like it has lots of good info in it.

[maz2331]

.223 diameter bullets are only used in some old .22 Hornets. Almost all other .22 centerfires (.222, .223, .22/250, .220 Swift, etc.) use .224" projectiles.

[knight0334]

As mentioned above, .224" is generally for "22 caliber centerfires". There are rare exceptions though... The older 22 Hornet used .222-.223" bullets and same with a few others. .228" bullets were used in a couple of other cartridges.

You cant go by the name of the cartridge as depicting the bullet diameter. Otherwise people would be trying to stuff .381" bullets into 38 Specials(.357") or trying to use the same .381" bullets in 38-40(38cal, 40gr blackpowder) cartridges that actually use .401" bullets. Or how about the 44 special and magnums - they actually use .429" bullets, not real 44 caliber bullets.

[Konsukah_19]

.224 is the diameter of the bullet. If your rifle is marked 223, 5,56, 220 swift, 22-250, 22 ppc, etc, the bullet will work without a problem.