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Regardless of the plentiful similarities and an identical exterior case dimensions of the .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges, a deep dive into the 2 exposes some minor, but essential variations. Since their inception, these two cartridges have grow to be a few of the hottest centerfire cartridges of all-time with widespread purposes.
Even with the recognition of those two cartridges, there are nonetheless many frequent misunderstandings and questions on their variations. Primarily, is 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington ammunition interchangeable? The reply is each sure and no. Put most easily, .223 Rem. ammunition can safely be fired out of rifles chambered in 5.56 NATO, however the identical can’t be mentioned when firing 5.56 NATO ammunition in a .223 chamber.
A minimum of that’s what we’re informed. As a result of improve in chamber strain when firing 5.56 NATO ammunition, paired with the marginally shorter throat in .223 chambered rifles, shooters are warned that 5.56 NATO ammunition shouldn’t be fired in rifles chambered in .223 Rem. The 2 share practically an identical case dimensions and fireplace the identical bullets, permitting shooters to simply chamber ammunition with each cartridges however simply because you’ll be able to doesn’t imply you need to. Right here’s what you must know concerning the 5.56 vs .223.
.223 Remington Specs
- Bullet Diameter: 0.224 inches
- Case Size: 1.76 inches
- General Size: 2.26 inches
- Guardian Case: .222 Remington
- Case Capability: 28.8 grains H2O
- SAAMI Chamber Strain: 55,000 psi
5.56x45mm NATO Specs
- Bullet Diameter: 0.224 inches
- Case Size: 1.76 inches
- General Size: 2.26 inches
- Guardian Case: .223 Remington
- Case Capability: 28.5 grains H2O
- SAAMI Chamber Strain: 61,000 psi
Historical past
Remington Arms formally submitted the .223 Remington cartridge design to SAAMI in 1962 after a number of years of analysis and improvement along side the U.S. Continental Military Command, Fairchild Industries, and Eugene Stoner of Armalite. The work with Stoner was important resulting from his main function within the invention and implementation of the AR-10 platform. Their shared objective was to create a light-weight cartridge and rifle mixture that supplied acceptable terminal ballistics at prolonged distances on a extra nimble platform in comparison with the AR-10 chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.
The tip end result was the launch of Armalite’s AR-15 rifle, chambered in .223 Remington, propelling a 55-grain bullet at 3,250 fps. Two years after its submission to SAAMI, the U.S. Military adopted Armalite’s AR-15 rifle, dubbed the M16. The M16 first noticed fight within the Vietnam struggle and went on to grow to be the usual army issued service rifle in 1969. Since then, the .223 Remington cartridge has expanded to just about each taking pictures endeavor from looking to aggressive taking pictures and every part in between. The success of the .223 Remington additionally expands past its AR-15 roots and it’s generally chambered in all kinds of rifle configurations.
Following the success of the .223 Rem., NATO signed an settlement in 1977 to start the choice strategy of changing the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. FN Herstal answered the decision, growing the 5.56 NATO cartridge, which solely barely differentiated itself from the .223 Rem. That distinction between the 2 cartridges got here within the type of thicker walled brass which created a barely smaller case capability for the 5.56 NATO cartridge. The marginally thicker partitions and smaller case capability allowed the 5.56 NATO to deal with the rise in strain from heavier cost weights, therefore the favored warning that 5.56 NATO ammunition shouldn’t be fired in rifles chambered in .223 Rem.
For comparability, the 5.56 NATO has a most of 61,000 PSI of chamber strain whereas the SAAMI accredited chamber strain for the .223 Rem. is 55,000 PSI.
By late 1980, NATO formally adopted and standardized the 5.56 NATO cartridge. Quick ahead 40 years and the 5.56 NATO continues to be one among, if not probably the most, used cartridge amongst army forces worldwide. That reality alone speaks volumes to the validity and effectiveness of the cartridge.
The .223 Wylde
A lot of 5.56 NATO ammunition is commercially accessible, and as a common resolution to the discrepancy between 5.56 and .223 chambers, a number of rifle producers started chambering rifles in .223 Wylde, which was developed by Invoice Wylde. The Wylde barely altered the chamber dimensions to accommodate the pressures created by each 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. ammunition. Additionally, regardless of the warnings, many shooters freely shoot 5.56 NATO ammunition out of their .223 Rem. chambered rifles with out problem. OL Employees Author, Tyler Freel, discusses this in his intensive overview of the best 5.56 ammo and .223 ammo take a look at. If you wish to fireplace 5.56 NATO ammo by means of your .223 chamber, proceed rigorously and look ahead to any extreme strain indicators. For those who’re shopping for a brand new gun or barrel, you’ll be able to remove any potential ammo and strain points by buying a .223 Wylde or 5.56 NATO.
Ballistics
Evaluating ballistics between the 5.56 vs .223 reveals solely small variations. To match apples to apples, I chosen two manufacturing unit hundreds from Winchester, each of that are loaded with a 55-grain FMJ projectile.
Winchester 223 Rem. 55-grain FMJ
- Muzzle Velocity: 3240 fps
- Power @ 300 yards: 552 ft-lbs.
- Drop @ 300 yards: 11.4 inches (with 100-yard zero)
Winchester 5.56 NATO 55-grain FMJ
- Muzzle Velocity: 3270 fps
- Power @ 300 yards: 612 ft-lbs.
- Drop @ 300 yards: 10.7 inches (with 100-yard zero)
Nonetheless, muzzle velocity and downrange power will range relying in your bullet choice. Projectile weights range from 35 grains on as much as 85 grains with 55- to- 62-grain bullets being the most well-liked. For comparability, I chosen ammunition loaded with gentle, mid-weight, and heavy bullets to focus on variations in ballistics and the flexibility of the 2 cartridges.
Hornady 223 Rem. 35-grain NTX Superformance
- Muzzle Velocity: 4,000 fps
- Power @ 300 yards: 411 ft-lbs.
- Drop @ 300 yards: 5.3 inches (with 200-yard zero)
Nosler 223 Rem. 55-grain Ballistic Tip Varmint Ammunition
- Muzzle Velocity: 3,100 fps
- Power @ 300 yards: 533 ft-lbs.
- Drop @ 300 yards: 7.7 inches (with 200-yard zero)
Barnes 5.56 NATO 85-grain Precision Match
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,600 fps
- Power @ 300 yards: 745 ft-lbs.
- Drop @ 300 yards: 11.5 inches (with 200-yard zero)
These three ammunition choices paint a helpful image for understanding the variations in muzzle velocity and downrange power that’s obtainable with the .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO cartridges.
Recoil
Recoil, or the dearth thereof, from these two cartridges is one among their largest promoting factors and tremendously aids their reputation. The overwhelming majority of 5.56×45 ammunition produces between 5 and 6 ft-lbs. of recoil. In easy phrases, the recoil produced from these two cartridges is negligible. This enables shooters to remain on course, watch bullet affect and make fast follow-up pictures if crucial.
Accuracy
Each the .223 Rem. and the 5.56 NATO are able to delivering distinctive accuracy. With that mentioned, accuracy with these two cartridges can and can range relying upon your rifle and ammunition choice. One variable to all the time think about when choosing ammunition is your barrel twist price. Most .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO rifles sport 1:7 or 1:8 barrel twist charges, that are ideally located for stabilizing and taking pictures every part from 50- to- 75-grain projectiles precisely. For those who battle to get lighter or heavier bullets to group persistently, there’s a excessive chance it has to do along with your barrel’s twist price and never the ammunition.
Use our take a look at of .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO ammunition as a baseline when on the lookout for the very best ammunition for these two cartridges.
Terminal Efficiency
In terms of evaluating the 5.56 vs .223, each pack loads punch to ship enough terminal efficiency in a wide range of looking pursuits. Nonetheless, given the small diameter and bullet weights, hunters should take heed to the cartridge’s limitations in looking situations. With a well-constructed bullet, reminiscent of Hornady’s 50-grain monolithic CX bullet or Nosler’s 70-grain Accubond, hunters can confidently take down deer-sized recreation at cheap ranges with the .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO. Shot placement is vital, particularly when taking pictures small projectiles. These cartridge and bullet mixtures are perfect for recoil shy and first-time hunters.
Whereas the .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO are loads succesful within the deer woods, they actually shine within the varmint hunting world. Not like the bullets crucial for taking down a deer, the vast majority of varmint looking projectiles are designed to penetrate the skinny pores and skin of a coyote or fox and inflict large quantities of inside trauma. The result’s dead-on-impact hits that hardly ever require a monitoring job.
Ammunition Availability and Choice
Ammunition availability for the .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO has been hit or miss over the previous a number of years, however now producers produce copious quantities of ammunition for these two cartridges. A minimum of in the meanwhile, 5.56 and .223 ammo is available each on-line and in most sporting items shops.
The price of .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO ammunition varies relying in your meant use. If you’re simply trying to plink metal on the vary, low cost M193 full metallic jacket ammunition could be bought for as little as $13.00 per field of 20. On the flip aspect, ammunition loaded with premium looking and match bullets can run upward of $60.00 per field of 20.
Not like many different cartridges, 5.56 and .223 ammo is usually accessible in bulk. Most main ammunition firms bundle 5.56 ammo that may be bought in case portions of 200, 500, or 1,000 rounds. Shopping for in bulk usually saves you cash in the long term.
Learn Subsequent: Coyote Cartridges: .223 Rem. Vs. .22-250 Rem. Vs. .243 Win.
Ultimate Ideas on the 5.56 vs .223
Whereas the .223 Rem and 5.56 Nato are comparable, it will be important for gun house owners to teach themselves on the nuances of each cartridges and a minimum of pay attention to the distinction in chamber pressures between the 2. For those who select to shoot 5.56 NATO ammunition by means of a .223 Rem. chambered rifle, you could vigilantly look ahead to any and all indicators of extra strain. No matter your taking pictures pursuits, everybody ought to personal a rifle chambered in a single (or each) of those cartridges. They’re sensible and able to every part from looking to non-public protection. Plus, they’re downright enjoyable to shoot.