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Posted: 5/23/2008 3:08:35 PM EDT
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I thought I knew the answer, but now I am having second thoughts. I plan to buy some 5.56 off the EE, but I am not sure if my .223 guns can handle the 5.56. I have HK93 (safe queen never shot that much) Steyr AUG MSAR STG556 Colt H-BAR sporter SIG 556 DPMS AP4 DPMS 16" bull barrel Colt A3 24" I am pretty sure 5.56 will not run in the DPMS rifles, but what about the HK,SIG, Colt or Steyr? |
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A bit of a thread hijack but I was under the impression that .223 and 5.56 refer to the same bullet/cartridge/thingimabobthatyoufeedtheguntomakeboom? I thought .223 referred to the old school english system while 5.56 is standardized metric sizing but describing the same thing. Same assumption with .308 and 7.62 Was I wrong all this time?  Thanks to whoever can further lessen my firearms ignorance 
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They are different rounds, it is more than English vs. Metric. I know some people will say never shoot one out of the other, but I can't remember which way is the right way. I never knew they were different rounds until recently, and have never had any problem mixing the rounds up. 5.56/.223 or 7.62/.308. |
5.56 is rated at higher pressure than .223 and .308 is rated higher than 7.62. You can use .223 in a weapon made for 5.56 and you can use 7.62 in a weapon made for .308 but not necessarily the other way around. The safest way to find out what round your weapon is made for is to look in the manual or to contact the manufacturer. |
Thanks guys...  Havent read it all of it but me now understand I was wrong for some time   ETA... I find the .223/5.56 thing weird. It is like classifying a Ford as Car while a Ferrari as a Automobile. Since they are dimensionally the same, why not call it 5.56 +P or .223 +P like in .45 ammo? |
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You really need to check into the last three guns on your list. I personally have several DPMS AR's, I just love them...All of mine are factory built guns, though. Included in this lot is an AP4 Panther Carbine. This gun came from the factory with an A1 profile 16 inch, chrome lined, 1x9 twist, M203 cut barrel chambered for 5.56x45. The gun is also marked as such underneith the handguards. Your AP4 "should" be GTG for 5.56x45, however you really need to check. DPMS offers so many different parts/configurations on thier guns/parts and .223 chambers aren't uncommon or unheard of on thier more "defensive" or "combat" orientated models. You could get a factory select fire Kitty Kat or 11.5 inch model with a .223 chamber if you wanted. If its a factory gun, check the barrel or consult with DPMS. If its 5.56, it should say DPMS 1x9 5.56 somewhere on the barrel, eiether under the handguards or in between the FH and FS. As for the DPMS 16 inch "Bull Barrel", I would bet thats a .223. As this is a target model, .223 would be somewhat advantageous. Most of the "Bull Barrel" uppers I have seen from DPMS were chambered for .223 and were 1x8 or 1x9 twist, non-chrome lined. CHECK BEFORE YOU SHOOT, but IMO your AP4 is probably 5.56 while your "Bull Barrel" is probably .223. However, with the amount of DPMS options, it could be reverse, or possibly both could be 5.56 or .223. You really need to check the barrel, make a measurment or consult with DPMS. As far as the Colt goes, many Sporter models are marked .223 on the receiver, but sport 5.56x45 chambers. IIRC, Colt made a 24 inch, free-floated model that had .223 Wylde chambers, stainless barrels and 1x8 twists. However, I could be mistaken... A member here named scottryan is a self-proclaimed "Colt expert". He can be grumpy, but he will probably know about your Colt. DPMS has a page in the industry section and thier reps frequent this site. Head over to the DPMS industry section and ask them about your guns and include specifics. Follow the leads I offered you and you will have your answer very quickly. On a side note, why would you be shooting 5.56x45 out of a 16 inch Bull Barrel DPMS or accurized Colt? Being that these are target guns, you really should be shooting .223 anyways...I totally understand commonality and everything, but shooting military ammo out of target guns is silly... You would also be well advised to confirm the barrel twist on your HK93. Its more than likely 1/12, but it would be nice to know for sure. This isn't a safety issue, but shooting SS109 in a 1/12 inch barrel isn't going to give you cloverleafs. |
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