Beginner Basics #17 223 vs 556 NATO (the pressures and risks using 556 in a 223)

In this video I give you my view on why you shouldn't use 556 NATO ammo in a 223 chambered rifle.

[@ozziereviews]

The Remington 223 Caliber: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJO5gmewf5J-hbM

[@zarkan88]

That was exactly what I asked in your previous video, I am glad you manage to see it and responded Ozzie ! thanks.

[@richardmeyer418]

If you happen to have a CZ it's fine to fire 5.56 in the rifle. If you do a search for CZ USA FAQ, the second question and answer is: Q: “Can CZ rifles chambered in .223 fire 5.56 ammunition safely?” A: All of our .223s will happily eat 5.56. Since our factory is in Europe, we build everything to CIP spec, which doesn’t differentiate between the two cartridges and just has the higher pressure as its standard. So the CZ .223s will shoot everything from the cheapest Russian steel to match .223 brass ammo.

[@mrmatthewjflanagan]

Good video Ozzie! I notice some manufacturers like Henry for example quote on the barrel compatibility with other chambers. Eg :223/5.56 will be lazered into the barrel.

[@ozziereviews]

Yep if you have that then you're good to go

[@kevinruddthestudrudd0074]

223 wylde chamber would be the way to go.

[@beardoggin8963]

KevinRuddthestud Rudd007 in an AR I totally agree. I wish more companies chambered bolt guns in .223 Wylde.

[@goproadventures2410]

@@beardoggin8963 The Warwick WFA1 is chambered in Wylde

[@dilligafwoftam985]

Slightly off topic ... but. Lithgow arms makes 5.56 for the Australian military ... and yet at the other end of the same factory, makes .223 for the general public. Why don't they just make everything 5.56? (Probably the same for .308 and 7.62 I'm guessing?)

[@daleleighton]

It's not off topic... the stamps (223 and 5.56) represent the same chambering but for different applications. Automatic weapons are typically chambered loose to minimise feeding issues during use, and the lands will be set back in miltary spec guns to accommodate a wide range of different ammo the that could be loaded during normal operation. But truthfully, my 223 handloads would be WAY hotter than any factory ammo. Military spec ammo will typically have crimped primer pockets to minimise potential transport and extraction issues as well. But every cartridge has a metric (NATO compatible) designation -- e.g. 50BMG is 12.7x99, 300WinMag is 7.62x67, etc....

[@venners4288]

Hi mate, thanks for the info. Do you reckon accuracy would be affected if you went the other way around (i.e. a 5.56 chambered rifle firing .223 ammo) given the longer throat length?

[@Ararrow]

556 cartridges are tested in a different way to 223 cartridges. I could be wrong but it’s my understanding that if you test a 556 cartridge using the Sammi method the pressures of 556 are actually lower than that of a 223. Look up the different testing methods. Pretty interesting stuff

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

Great information on the difference between the two cartridges Ozzie . When the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifles came on onto the market I noticed that Ruger advertised them as .223/.5.56 in their catalogs as were gunshops here in Australia🤔

[@cameron80]

If the manufacturer states that it's chambered for 5.56 it's obviously safe to use it. It's also okay to use .223 in a 5.56 rifle but generally not the other way around.

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

@ Cameron Bleys But is the Ruger Gunsite Scout Long throated ? This is a Question that no one at any gunshop has been able to tell me . I think I read in a US shooting magazine when they first came out that Ruger just says .223/556 to make it sound cool . Perhaps owners of the Ruger Gunsite Scout can tell us if they have used 5.56 in their firearms without any problems .

[@romanbrodsky6667]

@@conservativesniperhunter7439 5.56 NATO is written on mine

[@ianm6204]

Conservative Sniper Hunter I have shot 5.56 in my Ruger Gunsite Scout without any issues.

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

@ Ian M Copy that , good to hear it .

[@drunkenclown4805]

I just bought myself my first firearm recently the .223 Ruger American I'll be picking it up as soon as I get my license in the mail which should be tomorrow and I've been getting alot of my mates saying I need blitz king rounds to take kangaroos but I was wondering if there are any reccomendations you'd be able to give me in regards to what ammo would be decent for hunting As I'm still fairly new to firearms

[@2450logan]

Anything soft-point or ammunition that expands on impact, don't use match ammo as it will go straight through with little Cavitation. Just buy a bunch of different box's at your shop and go from there.

[@drunkenclown4805]

@@2450logan update went with fiocchi 223 ballistic tip cheap and perfect for the job

[@2450logan]

@@drunkenclown4805 Funny you say that. My Howa eats the fiochi for breakfast, sub Moa groups $1 a shot I can't complain.

[@tompickrell9125]

CZ rifles chambered in .223 state in the manual that under their testing that it has to be rated too withstand the higher pressures of 556 and is perfectly fine to use. Also the brass is not a different thickness at all.

[@richardmeyer418]

Also in the CZ USA FAQ. Lots of 5.56 is actually thicker than standard .223 cases - see the caveats about loading ickup military brass, which is often thicker.

[@sebastianhabel7312]

I don't understand why any .223 Mauser copy should have problems firing 5.56 at all. The locking mechanism is solid as a rock.

[@InlinePaul]

So you said the 5.56 in a .223 rifle might be against the .223's rifling. Does that mean chambering the 5.56 round in a .223 rifle actually could push the bullet a slight bit deeper into the case? That would definitely increase pressure.

[@tankmeister8131]

Just add some drama but you compare a 55 gr to a 68 gr projectile The touching on lands and grooves would already be different I have bought some 5.56 with 55 gr What are your thoughts

[@JamesZJi]

It was about the bore and rifling in the barrel, not related to the projectile. for the same standard, doesn`t matter what projectile weight, the critical diameters are the same - not the overall shape but the small section where it in contact with the neck of the shell.

[@luay4646]

would it be safe to do it the other way around? 223 round in a 556 rifle?

[@a1nelson]

Yes, in most, if not all cases. Long-range accuracy may be negatively affected, given the larger headspace. But, although that effect shouldn’t be ignored, it is fairly small for general-purpose use cases. (The Hornady reloading reference discusses this at some length, if you’re curious.) Heavier bullets also require a higher spin rate/tighter rifling twist. For this reason, a 77gr 5.56 round may not stabilize in a given .223 barrel. This further supports the poster’s advice. However, outside of some very specific, unusual cases, the opposite is not a problem - a .223 round at any reasonable (i.e., commercial) weight will stabilize just fine in a 5.56 barrel. The 5.56’s tighter twist (to stabilize heavier bullets) will have its own, negative effect on velocity - though that, too, will be relatively small - perhaps -5%. Personally, I’d fire either cartridge in either barrel, but YMMV. If you’re unsure of your rifle, it may be best to heed the advice given in the video. Happy hunting.

[@bisleyblackhawk1288]

Not to highjack this thread...but the .300 BO from ADI with the 125 grain HP Sierra Matchking bullet is by far THE BEST factory ammo and reloadable brass in this caliber I have ever used 👍👍👍...looking forward to trying your .556/.223 and 7.62 NATO/.308 stuff from “Down Under” 😊😊😊...great content Ozziereviews...keep them coming 😎

[@mileandric5422]

Hey champ, love your videos, doing an absolute ripper of a job 👍👍👍... just wondering if you could do a video of 6.5 creedmoor and 7mm and what could they be used for here in Australia, also would be great if you could do a review on 7mm centrefire rifle. Also i never seen you do a review on any Remington centerfire rifles, would love to see you do one and your opinion on them. Again thanks heaps for great information and keep up good work 👍👍👍

[@WarezWally]

In a bolt action there are no risks, at the very worst you might get a stiff bolt with some odd combinations but if it actually wrecked guns and blew actions apart there would be examples all over the internet. Your just not going to blow the head out of a case and a 98 mauser action will handle the bolt thrust with a lug missing.

[@sebastianhabel7312]

While the SAAMI tells you not to fire a 5.56 out of a .223 rifle, the C.I.P. doesn't even make a difference between the two cardriges...

[@danielglover1044]

Hey mate, where can you get 5.56 rounds from?

[@edwardd9702]

The average twin lug bolt action can probably hand 90k PSI so I can't see how 556 into 223 will overstress?

[@bisleyblackhawk1288]

This why all of my home builds are with .556 Wylde chamber barrels...better accuracy as well as safer pressures with both factory and hand loaded ammo (I’m also a big fan of mid length and rifle length gas systems for better/softer recoil over carbine length)...on my bolt guns (Ruger Americans) all are .556...as others have said, I wish more were offered in Wylde.

[@parabelllum8733]

Just my opinion - I think it’s more to do with politics or insurance issues - I have never seen a 556 blow up anybody’s 223 . Maybe someone out there will correct me ! The other story I have heard is it’s all to do with the difference between military and civilian specs when the pressures are measured. Both are the same if measured the same way making the idea they are different an urban myth

[@Jimmy-gd5ho]

Wait can I put .223 in a 5.56 clambered rifle??

[@willfriar8054]

not a problem at all

[@dazzamac70]

Hypothetically, if you had a rifle chambered in 5.56 (such as an AR) can you put .223 through it?

[@beardoggin8963]

For sure! I shoot a lot of .223 in my 5.56 ARs with no issues, especially when I can find 223 cheaper I run it. Some people say .223 is not as accurate when fired in a 5.56 chamber but I have seen it. The best all around chamber for ARs is .223 Wylde. It allows you to shoot both cartridges and is generally far more accurate than a standard 5.56 chambered barrel

[@ozziereviews]

My Ruger SR556 is chambered for the 556, so I used both through it without any issues

[@Maggydags]

Yes, because the chamber of the 5.56 is built to handle higher pressures than than the .223 generates.

[@ryanhli]

@@ozziereviews , silly question but how are you able to get a semi automatic in Australia for civilian use? thx

[@aesthetic6573]

What rifles can use both?

[@whitee55]

Remington 7615 for one. Rifles chambered in .223wylde can take both as well.

[@aesthetic6573]

Thank you.

[@beardoggin8963]

Anything listed as 5.56 or .223 Wylde can shoot both. I prefer .223 Wylde since it is more accurate than the standard 5.56 chamber typically

[@darrynjones325]

Aesthetic Cap ruger percion 223 is chamber both

[@phillipjohnson7583]

Inform yourself and it becomes less of a belief and more of a decision based in specs, facts, data, and evidence.

[@forty5degrees]

Can I use a 556 cartridge on a 223 chamber? obviously with the same recommended powder levels and the bullets.

[@beardoggin8963]

forty5degrees he literally talked about that in the video. That was the entire point of the video

[@forty5degrees]

@@beardoggin8963 I rewatched the video, because of your reply :) He didn't mention what I am asking. Then again, maybe I was not clear on my question. I was referring to the brass. Using the 556 brass being a little thicker than 223 brass and load it with your choice of powder and projectile, in this case a 55 gn Hornady Vmax. He mentioned the two, but he didn't point out that you can use 556 brass on your 223 rifle. Will it chamber properly?

[@beardoggin8963]

forty5degrees ah yes that you can do that. Based on my terminology a cartridge is a ready to shoot round of ammo. But you can indeed use the brass from a 5.56 in a .223 once it is reloaded. A friend of mine uses a lot of my once fired m193 5.56 brass and loads it to .223 specs with a 60 grain Vmax to shoot in his savage 110 when coyote hunting

[@forty5degrees]

@@beardoggin8963 Perfect, thanks mate. that's what i needed to know. Cheers.

[@beardoggin8963]

forty5degrees no worries! Sorry I miss understood your initial comment, wasn’t trying to be a dick

[@skullandcrossbones65]

G'day The 5.56 has a longer throat to accommodate tracer rounds. It is generally recognised that to improve accuracy you should have minimal "jump" from projectile to rifling. The projectile should not touch the lands of the rifling as it adversely affects chamber pressure. Some 5.56 loads may be within limits for .223 and vice a versa. If in doubt then don't mix them. Do your own independent research from reputable sources. Verify all claims that anybody makes.

[@sebastianhabel7312]

Is that you, Paul Harrel? XD

[@skullandcrossbones65]

@@sebastianhabel7312 G'day, sorry, NO, I'm not that knowledgeable. Just another Aussie that likes to shoot.

[@sebastianhabel7312]

@@skullandcrossbones65 When I read your comment I thought: Man, that's just what I think Paul Harrel would say.

[@skullandcrossbones65]

@@sebastianhabel7312 G'day I suspect Mr Harrel would have a lot more to say about it.

[@jamesabreu613]

I have fired hundreds of 5.56 in my 223 and can see no difference

[@phillipjohnson7583]

They call it science, not the liberal version of Science which is a capital "S" with a trademark over the "e".