223 AI in AR-15??

[warthog97]

OK, someone please talk me off the cliff here. Anyone know if the 223 AI will work in an AR 15? I can imagine some reasons it wouldn't work, but still, any thoughts?

Thanks!

-Brian

 

[ronemus]

I've seen one person do it, and it apparently worked for him; however, it did take some development. My question is : why? At best you'll get an extra 1/2 gr of case capacity since the .223 has little body taper. To get that you'll need dies, and custom barrels. You may also have some feeding problems to resolve as the sharp shoulder won't travel over the barrel extension gracefully. I can get all the velocity I need for 1000 yards by using double-base powders, so it just doesn't seem worth it to go to the .223 AI. If you want better performance on the AR-15 platform, it won't cost any more,cash or effort) to run one of the 6 mm wildcats based on the 6.8 case. I may save you from the AI, but encourage a 6mm wildcat; you win some and you lose some.

 

[Rodbolt]

I only shoot the 223AI in bolt action rifles but I think the internet is full of people who assume they don't feed because of a 40degree shoulder, mine feed great. I know that you gain more then one half grain powder, if memory serves me correctly it more like a grain AND a half grain gain.... In a AR platform the 204 Ruger shoots great and extends your varmint range over the 223 or 223AI with varmint weight bullets. Good luck!

 

[fivering]

I have used a .223AI AR-15 for the last few years, it offers some advantages with no apparent downside.
My bbl is a 6 1/2 twist Kreiger, and the extra powder capacity is just what you need to shoot the 90 gr. bullets at elevated velocities. JLK's are the only 90 gr bullets that will consistently hold together above 2700 fps so far for me.
I have fired several hundreds of AI rounds in rapid fire, never had the slightest hint of failure to feed.
An additional advantage is that regular .223 rounds can be fired, with no apparent loss in accuracy, meaning you do not have to fire form before using in an across the course match.
If you do not have the very fast twist bbl, you can shoot the premium grade 80's around 2900 fps or even a little more.

 

[treeman]

one plus for the 223 ai-- not so much trimming of cases!

 

[warthog97]

Treeman, you hit one of my objectives on the head. I'd rather spend time dropping powder, seating bullets and shooting than trimming, etc. If I can also get a little boost for the heavier bullets, that's pretty cool too.

 

[Longone]

Does anyone care to tell who built theirs? I was going to go that route and was talked out of it by a well known AR smith. He said there were just too many problems and reliability was an issue.

Longone