from what i understand a bushmaster, arama lite, and ar15 can shoot the military 5.56mm and the .223 rem. they are almost the same but not quite. a gun like the ruger mini 14 will only shoot the .223 rem and not the 5.56mm.

am i correct? im about to go gun shopping. i just need this confirmed.

The 5.56 is the bore diameter in millimeters, the .223 is the commercial name for the same round in inches. MY Mini-14 shots both just fine. You should not have any problems with either in the AR or the Ruger.

Read what is stamped on the barrel ! You can shoot 223 in a 5.56 barrel , but NOT the other way around .

Quoted: The 5.56 is the bore diameter in millimeters, the .223 is the commercial name for the same round in inches. MY Mini-14 shots both just fine. You should not have any problems with either in the AR or the Ruger.

 

there is a diff betweent the two and if you read the www.ammo-oracle.com it will explain it to you alot better than we can. The mini-14 says 223 on it but it does have a 5.56 chamber, it's in a book about them and I talked to ruger when my father had one. I've also seen a BBl split at the chamber because a buddy shot 5.56 thru a 223 bolt gun

Quoted: The 5.56 is the bore diameter in millimeters, the .223 is the commercial name for the same round in inches. MY Mini-14 shots both just fine. You should not have any problems with either in the AR or the Ruger.

5.56mm is not the size in millimeters. Thats just what the .mil calls it. Diameter is closer to .224.


The difference is the thickness of case, and velocity.

Shoot what is on the bbl, as I understand it, the 223, and the 556 are the same size, but the 556 has a much higher chamber pressure, and may not be safe in a 223, so if your gun does not say 556 don't shoot it. If you haven't bought one yet, get a gun that will shoot both, and then don't worry about it.

The Ruger Mini-14 .223Rem (any version) will gobble just about anything you can stuff in it.  The strength of all of their firearms is legendary.  As long as it is factory loaded or re-manufactured by a reputable company, everything should be fine.

Standard precautions apply when shooting anything.  Listen to the shot, look at the brass.  For the RM stuff, you should hear it when a round is underpowered which could mean bore obstruction.

I have a mini 14 and shoot 223 and 5.56 with not problems.  I have a Bushmaster AR15 A3 and it says right on the side that it is chambered for 223 and 5.56 nato  so i dont have to worrie.  I have heard that some ARs dont say 5.56 just 223 and it is advised if they dont say both dont shoot both.  I know for a fact that my neighbors son has a DPMS AR15 A2 and it says 223 only on the side.  My Bushmaster says it on the side by the logo and also on the HBAR barrel 223 and 5.56.  My advice is if your gona get a AR get one that planily states on it for both 223 and 5.56 and you wont have to worrie.  My choice is Bushmaster.

Your reciever (on the side) means nothing its what is on your barrel and your Bushmaster does not have .223 on the barrel does it?  You can only have ONE chamber not both 5.56 and .223 chambers.