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9/10/2006 9:41:39 AM EDT
I have a Colt HBAR s/n 27xxx
On the mag well it is stamped Match .223 HBAR
on the barrel it is stamped C MP 5.56/NATO 1/7 HBAR.
Im assuming it is chambered for 5.56
Just a note I shot it this morning for the first time using Winchester .223 45 grain hp ( white box) and was very please with the grouping (5) within an 1".
Another question while I think about it. Ammuniton that has a headstamp LC, is it 5.56 and if it is head stamped .223 is it always .223 or would 5.56 possibly be headstamped .223?
9/10/2006 9:44:32 AM EDT
[#1]
always go by what the barrel is stamped, the receiver doesn't mean anything.  You do have a 5.56.  You will never see .223 brass loaded to 5.56 pressure but you will find the opposite.
9/10/2006 10:44:51 AM EDT
[#2]
Yes you can always shoot .223 rem in a barrel marked 5.56. But I do not advise shooting 5.56 Nato shells in a barrel marked .223 Rem.

The main reason is that the neck is longer and the distance to the lands is further on the 5.56 nato chamber. The .223 rem max CUP is 50K where if you load a 5.56 NATO round in the .223, pressures as high as 60K CUP can be developed. Thus exposing your gun to dangerous pressures that if you are lucky, will just blow out the primers. Next worse thing is you damage your gun. Worse case is that gun breaks and throws a chunk of the receiver into your body.

Surplus 5.56 NATO ammo is not worth the surplus price if you have an incident.

Just got done reading the difference between the two shells and you wont find me slipping cheap ammo into my AR
9/10/2006 2:59:43 PM EDT
[#3]
Thanks for the feedback. I need to get a set of dies and work up some loads. I just happen to have some Winchester on hand that I use in my Ruger. Looking forward to seeing what it will do with some home grown.
Thanks again.
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