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Posted: 5/7/2011 12:56:20 PM EDT
| Can you fire 5.56 ammo thru a bolt action rifle chambered for .223? Probably a stupid question but I have only owned rifles with a 5.56 chamber. |
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you'll be fine. As always when trying new ammo, check for signs of excessive pressure (flattened primers, cratered primers, peirced primers, blown primers, tough extraction, bolt face imprints on case head, bright ring around the base of the case body). I'm willing to bet that a good chunk of even .223 AR15's are good to go with 5.56 ammo. As long as you aren't creating excess pressure, you're not hurting anything. Obviously if shooting the 5.56 ammo IS causing excess pressure, stop.
None the less, 10-20 rounds, even if they're mashing primers will not destroy your rifle. |
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Quoted:
you'll be fine. As always when trying new ammo, check for signs of excessive pressure (flattened primers, cratered primers, peirced primers, blown primers, tough extraction, bolt face imprints on case head, bright ring around the base of the case body). I'm willing to bet that a good chunk of even .223 AR15's are good to go with 5.56 ammo. As long as you aren't creating excess pressure, you're not hurting anything. Obviously if shooting the 5.56 ammo IS causing excess pressure, stop. This. |
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The reason you shouldn't fire 5.56 ammo in a .223 chamber is all about pressure... its like firing a full power reload with the bullet mashed into the lands... the chamber , specifically the throat and leadsor the freebore.., on a 5.56 barrel are more "generous" so as to safely allow USGI and Nato 5.56... the side effect is a ( supposedly ) slight loss of accuracy. A .223 chamber has a shorter throat area , which will allow the shooter to take full advantage of his OAL.
So in a nut shell, you probably can fire 5.56 rounds in a .223 chamber... but you'll be the first to know if it is a PITA, sticky extraction, short brass life, etc. Why not get a local gunsmith to re-cut your chamber ? Example of various freebores on rifles... you will note a large difference in the numbers...http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm... the following is from the previous link... IT IS MUCH BETTER AT THE ABOVE LINK HOLLIGER ON .223/5.56 CHAMBERS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Here are just a few of the chamber reamers that I have prints for. There are hundreds of .223/5.56 chamber dimensions and I always get a kick out of people arguing over whether a rifle has a .223 or a 5.56 chamber. Just because it has a .223 chamber, does not mean it's the same as another rifle with a .223 chamber. Both reamers may say .223 on them, but they may be very much different. Also, everyone just knows the .223 is smaller than the 5.56, well the 5.56 Target chamber is smaller in about every dimension than the .223 Wylde. The COAL for the 80 grain SMK is an ESTIMATE based on bullet empirical data and from chamber prints. The actual COAL in your rifle may be different, even though it has that specified chamber. The number is supplied to help identify a chamber if it is unknown or as an aid in selecting the proper chamber reamer (bullet seated further out means you can get more powder in the case). Chamber Freebore Lead Angle 80SMK OAL Comments –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5.56 Target .0566 1 deg, 13 min 2.465 This was designed by a C. Hildebrandt at Savage. I believe it is used in the savage .223 rifles. I do not have this reamer, but it should work well for HP. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– .223 JGS#514 .025 3 deg, 10 min 2.435 I believe this is used by Krieger and Mike Bykowski. I use it for slow twist varmint uppers but I think it is a little short, and too steep of a lead for HP. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– .223 Wylde .0619 1 deg, 15 min 2.475 Designed by Bill Wylde. Shoots everything good, and has slightly generous body dimensions for reliability. Eats anything you put in it. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– .223 Holliger .106 1 deg, 15 min 2.530 Designed for the 90 JLK. The longer throat allows a little more velocity. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5.56 CLE .025 1 deg, 30 min 2.450 Of course we all know Frank's rifles shoot just fine! –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5.56 Bushmaster .0250 1 deg, 30 min 2.450- 2.475 Info from Bushmaster (thanks!). These are one of the best out-of-the box barrels, and handle up to 80 gr bullets no problemo. Who knows how tight your chamber is.. ( freebore... ) |
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