Accuracy of .223 in 5.56 barrel
I know that firing a .223 in a 5.56 barrel is "less accurate," but what exactly is it less accurate than?
I understand it's most probably going to be less accurate than firing a .223 in a .223 chamber, but will it also be less accurate than 5.56 in a 5.56 chamber? And by roughly how much?
Just asking because of how varied and plentiful cheap .223 seems to be and I'm wondering how much of a performance loss I might experience using it.
Probably not enough to notice.
I will not be noticeable with cheap .223
The only way youll see a difference is with match grade ammo, and even then it comes down to the quality of the round
Buy the cheap .223 or 5.56 for plinking
If you want to shoot for accuracy buy quality .223 or 5.56
Originally Posted By StickyNote:
I know that firing a .223 in a 5.56 barrel is "less accurate," but what exactly is it less accurate than?
It's less accurate than .223 in a .223 barrel.
The accuracy loss for .223 in 5.56 barrels comes from the larger freebore in 5.56 chambers. Also, many 5.56 barrels are chrome lined which also has a negative affect on accuracy.
Will you notice the accuracy loss? It depends.
5.56 typically has less accuracy, which works with the additional velocity.
.223 in a 5.56 chamber will be less accurate than .223 in a .223 match chamber, but not by a huge margin.
If you're buying .35 cent a round ammo, the limit there will be the ammunition, regardless of chamber specs.
When you start buying match ammo, at about $1 per round, you may see a difference.
I'm seeing bigger groups when comparing AE223 to XM193 in my PSA 16in CHF LW Middy (chrome lined). I have gotten 1" groups (5 shot, 100 yards) with xm193 and about double that size with the AE223 55gr. MK262 Seconds from Black hills is even tighter at .625in and I can get a 2in group with m855, about the same as the AE. So far my rifle definitely sees a difference between the 5.56 and .223 ammo I have shot so far(from the bench at least). PPU 69gr and Hornady Steel Match 75gr have been the most accurate for .223 rounds in my gun that I've tried but not as accurate as the xm193.
I'm also getting 4in+ out of TULA, WPA was 2.5".
Also have a ssa-e trigger on order and seeing if the groups tighten up some more. But REALLY pleased with my rifle's accuracy considering it is a LW barreled 16in. I was not expecting these results and think they will get better with a trigger upgraded from the parts kit one. Also only running a Nikon P223 3-9x scope which is nice but more magnification would help.
