.223/5.56 question

[Kase]

I bought a saiga ak in .223 at the last gun show. It is stamped ".223" on it only, and I've been told you can't shoot 5.56 rounds out of something stamped with just .223. Is this just a rumor, or true? If true, why is it, and what would happen if someone were to shoot a 5.56 out of it? Thanks for any help!

 

[IndyMonkey]

Its true, you can shoot the .223 out of 5.56 but not the other way around.

 

[MACHINEGUN]

I can tell you this, it wouldn't be anything good.

 

[remymartin]

Its true, you can shoot the .223 out of 5.56 but not the other way around.

Yep, what that weirdo said. If you try it make a video though I am intrigued at the results.

 

[Kase]

Haha. So no one really knows what the results would be? I mean, is it more of a precaution or an absolute NO NO?

 

[42769vette]

Haha. So no one really knows what the results would be? I mean, is it more of a precaution or an absolute NO NO?

ive never tried it, but ive also never stuck a fork in a plug.

 

[combat45acp]

It will be fine. The 5.56 in some NATO loads have a tad bit more pressure. Never seen a .223 have a problem with FACTORY 5.56. I would shoot it without hesitation, but I'm a rebel.

 

[fish75]

Its a big NO NO! The 5.56 has more pressure being a military round where as the 223 is a cavillian round. Now if the lower says 223 BUT the barrel is stamped 5.56 your good.

 

[Fargo]

If you are concerned about it, I would think you could get a set of 5.56 gauges and see if it specs out. Since we are talking about a foreign manufacturer of AK variants; I'm skeptical that they are aware of the technical difference between a .223 and 5.56 chamber. Find someone with the gauges and see how it specs out.

Best,

Joe

 

[IndyMonkey]

I have one gun that the 5.56 will not load into the chamber of a .223 gun.

 

[fish75]

Hey as an update I found this. Good info

http://le.atk.com/pdf/223VS556.pdf


Happy reading all.

 

[kwatters]

Could be hazardous but hey its an AK, probably not the tightest on specs. From Wiki:

While the external case dimensions are very similar, the .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm differ in both maximum pressure and chamber shape. The maximum and mean pressures for some varieties of the 5.56 mm (different cartridge designations have different standards) exceed the SAAMI maximums for the .223 Remington, and the methods for measuring pressures differ between NATO and SAAMI.[5] The 5.56 mm chamber specification has also changed over time since its adoption, as the current military loading (NATO SS-109 or US M855) uses longer, heavier bullets than the original loading did. This has resulted in a lengthening of the throat in the 5.56 mm chamber. Thus, while .223 Remington ammunition can be safely fired in a 5.56 mm chambered gun, firing 5.56 mm ammunition in a .223 Remington chamber may produce pressures in excess of even the 5.56 mm specifications due to the shorter throat.[6]

 

[phil]

Haha. So no one really knows what the results would be? I mean, is it more of a precaution or an absolute NO NO?

Is it smart to hold a lit firecracker in your fingers? NO
If you do, are you guaranteed to blow your fingers off? NO

Same idea here. Chamber pressure of a 5.56 is higher than .223. It does not mean it will or will not blow up your gun, but there is a risk of something bad happening.

I have a friend with an AK in .223 and for the first few years the only thing he fired out of it was 5.56. He didn't know the difference between .223/5.56. His gun never blew up and it still functions fine.

I, personally, would not make a habit of firing 5.56 out of a .223 marked rifle.