AR question......233, 5.56....?????

[Scott357]

If an AR is marked .223, then I cannot load it with 5.56, correct? Also, If it is marked 5.56, then I can load both 5.56 and .223, correct? Too much confusion on the web to get a straight answer!

 

[Alpo]

You've got it.

 

[Scott357]

Thanks!!

 

[Backpacker]

Check the caliber on the barrel rather than the receiver.

 

[T.Lex]

.223 Wylde, though, can handle both, as I understand it.

Somewhere in the mix is 5.56 Multi, too.

 

[Bennettjh]

Check the caliber on the barrel rather than the receiver.

You're correct. Similar to .38/.357.

 

[T.Lex]

@OP

If you find an AR marked for .233 caliber, get a pic.

 

[DanVoils]

@OP

If you find an AR marked for .233 caliber, get a pic.

I have a Mini 14 that is .223. Does that count?

 

[MadMan66]

.223 Wylde, though, can handle both, as I understand it.

Somewhere in the mix is 5.56 Multi, too.

What T.Lex said.

I lot of manufacturers are producing .223 Wylde (not the .223 Rem), which is designed to hand both the .223 and 5.56 cartridge safely. However, it gives you better accuracy than a barrel chambered in 5.56, according to the marketing. Just make sure the barrel is engraved with .223 Wylde, and you get the best of both worlds.

 

[natdscott]

MadMan, you are correct, as is the marketing. NATO-spec chambers are designed for 100% function in all environments, and 1.5 MOA accuracy all the time. Bill Wylde made his to function in almost any environment, and be able to do well less than MOA.

The NATO has a throat diameter of 0.226-0.227", where almost any other chamber sits at 0.224-0.2245". The resultant gas blow-by and poor alignment of the bullet as it enters the rifling produces lower-grade accuracy than otherwise possible. That being said, it also nearly ENSURES that a little sand, or a D*&^ed up bullet, or a round that's been mashed will still FEED, FIRE, and EJECT in combat. Nothing more is asked of that chamber than that, and anything more it does is in spite of that design characteristic rather than because of it.

But a lot of the "differences" between AR rifle's chambers are largely internet BS unless you SPECIFICALLY know that your chamber was intended for .223 Match short-range ammo like 52 BRs or 40 Varmint stuff.

At this point, there is so much gossip and misinformation on tailgates and on the internet that it does not behoove any major manufacturer to put out an AR with a tight chamber.

-Nate

 

[Scott357]

Got it. Thanks everyone for your responses.

 

[blakeelee]

Most barrels are good for both 223 and 556. Back in the day, a lot of mini 14s were only good for 223 and people would blow them up. Youd be hard pressed to find an ar15 barrel that couldnt take 556

 

[Pinger5560]

That's correct, also like other's have stated if it's marked .223 Wylde you can use 5.56 & .223. Barel marked .223 just shoot .223, marked 5.56 Nato then yes both, 5.56 & .223.

 

[Leo]

This is probably way more info than the OP asked for, but it is interesting.

There are a lot more reamer patterns than .223 SAMMI spec Remington and Pop's Wyldes design. Including the one designed by yours truly. Here are dimensional specs on a few of the more popular ones. The freebore lngth is where people could get in trouble.

http://www.ar15barrels.com/data/223-556.pdf

 

[Farmritch]

It means nothing.
In the imortal words of Hillary Clinton what difference does it make????

Someone please show me in the last 35 years where there has been any kind of failure in an AR type rifle due to factory ammo of any type.

And dont get me started on mini 30's not being able to shoot 7.62x39

 

[natdscott]

It means nothing.
In the imortal words of Hillary Clinton what difference does it make????

Someone please show me in the last 35 years where there has been any kind of failure in an AR type rifle.

You can't be serious. Please, tell me you know ARs fail and/or partially fail on a regular basis.

-Nate