223 ammo in 5.56?

[markT]

I have a lot of 223 hand loads ( 40 gr Vamx)....
I bought a Ruger American in 5.56..
Can I shoot the 223 ammo in the 5.56?

 

[Dub]

Yes sir

 

[Pheasanthunter]

Yes sir

+1

 

[2506]

Yes but not the other way around.

 

[markT]

Thank you. Can I assume, after I shoot these rounds they will need to be only reloaded with 5.56 dies?

 

[Cemetery21]

No. Brass (and even loaded rounds) dimensions are identical for 223 and 5.56. I've only ever seen "223" dies. The only difference should be the max pressure each is loaded to. The difference is the chamber in the barrel, not the ammo dimensions. 5.56 chamber in the rifle has a longer leade which will permit the higher pressure of ammo loaded to 5.56 max specs.
In handloading, you control the pressure (or you should) by the combo of powder/bullet selection. You can choose to reload 223 OR 5.56 brass to 223 pressure or 5.56 pressure.

 

[markT]

I shot some 223 hand loads ( Winchester Brass) and they did well. The only issue is the empty brass would not eject. The extractor would remove the spent round from the chamber and it would stay in the action.. I hope I explained that ok..
The Ruger will extract and eject the Hornday 5.56 brass.. Loaded or a spent round..
Any suggestions or something to look for, clean or adjust?
Thanks
Edit: I took the bolt out and worked the plunger and now it is working.. Don't know why.. Oh well, always something.

 

[Ranger007]

+1

+2

 

[David Milisock]

I have a lot of 223 hand loads ( 40 gr Vamx)....
I bought a Ruger American in 5.56..
Can I shoot the 223 ammo in the 5.56?

As far as safety goes 223 to 5.56 is safe but not the other way around due to a larger chamber specification in the 5.56 and the current 223 pressure limit of 55,000 PSI and the 5.56 NATO pressure limit at 62,366 PSI.

I've seen discussions concerning accuracy of 223 in 5.56 chambers and a couple tests. I'd be interested to hear how it went for you. At 100 yards my AR15 A2 shoots 223 well.

 

[markT]

Im shooting a thermal and sighting in at 100 on aluminum foil reflecting the sun.. I got it centered on the 1.5"x1.5" piece of foil and almost 3/4" low at 60 yds.. So for my needs its good... I may put a daytime scope with a target dot on at some point and she how she does..

 

[markT]

She did well tonight on this one at 40 yards in the brush. 40 gr vmax don’t play.

 

[Rustytigwire]

read:
https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/

 

[Bill K]

Thank you. Can I assume, after I shoot these rounds they will need to be only reloaded with 5.56 dies?

You can reload any of them with the .223 dies. What the cause of warnings and use of no 5.56 in a 223 chamber is the fact of the neck being a tighter fit and higher pressure in the 5.56 loads.
There are numerous articles explaining the difference, do a little search, read and you will see what they mean. It is a very easy difference to understand.

 

[Bill K]

I shot some 223 hand loads ( Winchester Brass) and they did well. The only issue is the empty brass would not eject. The extractor would remove the spent round from the chamber and it would stay in the action.. I hope I explained that ok..
The Ruger will extract and eject the Hornday 5.56 brass.. Loaded or a spent round..
Any suggestions or something to look for, clean or adjust?
Thanks
Edit: I took the bolt out and worked the plunger and now it is working.. Don't know why.. Oh well, always something.

I guess you are shooting a AR. the reason for not ejecting is the pressure level, for the gas to operate the complete cycle of the AR bolt is low and therefore not fully working the bolt to it's full range. A adjustable gas block would solve your issue.

 

[markT]

I guess you are shooting a AR. the reason for not ejecting is the pressure level, for the gas to operate the complete cycle of the AR bolt is low and therefore not fully working the bolt to it's full range. A adjustable gas block would solve your issue.

I’m shooting a Ruger American Bolt action. It just wouldn’t throw the empty out. It’s working now. Maybe had some debris in it or something?

 

[Siko12]

I've done it a couple times and it was quite accurate as expected. It's fine to shoot .223 in a barrel with a 5.56 chamber but NOT okay to shoot 5.56 in a barrel with a .223 chamber IMHO .223 Wyld however, will handle both safely.

 

[JimT]

This is a very good article explaining the issue at hand.

http://www.zediker.com/articles/AR_chambers.pdf

 

[NC308]

Do it all the time

 

[markT]

So this is what happens when one uses a 5.56 in a .223? I get it.