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Posted: 10/22/2013 12:27:34 AM EDT
I remember reading that switching between the two can cause problems, but I can't find the thread I was reading about that. Looked through ammo oracle and didn't find it. My search fu could be weak or I am blind. Please let me know the dangers, if any, of switching between 5.56 and .223.
Rifle: Windham Weaponry MPC, 5.56 marked bbl 
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Posted: 10/22/2013 12:52:37 AM EDT
[#1]
Dangers?
I've never had any problems. |
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Posted: 10/22/2013 1:34:31 AM EDT
[#2]
I vaguely remember something about switching between the two without cleaning. I don't think I'm making it up, but anything is possible...
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Posted: 10/22/2013 3:08:59 AM EDT
[#3]
I think you mean switching between steel cased and brass cased ammunition... Steel cased ammunition leaves more powder residue in the chamber and switching to brass cases without cleaning can cause stuck cases. I experimented with this and found that after firing approximately 100 rounds of steel cased .223 when I switched to brass cased .223, the first 10 or so empty cases came out very dirty. Afterwards, the cases came out with the normal amount of powder residue on them. I did not have sticking issues, but I could see how in some rifles it might happen. I have read accounts of others that did experience stoppages related to this issue.
Switching between .223 and 5.56 should cause no issues. 1DD |
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Posted: 10/22/2013 4:15:49 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I think you mean switching between steel cased and brass cased ammunition... Steel cased ammunition leaves more powder residue in the chamber and switching to brass cases without cleaning can cause stuck cases. I experimented with this and found that after firing approximately 100 rounds of steel cased .223 when I switched to brass cased .223, the first 10 or so empty cases came out very dirty. Afterwards, the cases came out with the normal amount of powder residue on them. I did not have sticking issues, but I could see how in some rifles it might happen. I have read accounts of others that did experience stoppages related to this issue. Switching between .223 and 5.56 should cause no issues. 1DD End thread |
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Posted: 10/22/2013 5:43:02 AM EDT
[#5]
No issues. Just shoot it. Clean when needed.
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Posted: 10/24/2013 3:33:34 AM EDT
[#6]
No issues unless you have a barrel rated only for .223 then you should never use 5.56.
(I know this is common knowledge but wanted to post it in case a new shooter reads this thread) |
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Posted: 10/24/2013 4:02:51 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: No issues unless you have a barrel rated only for .223 then you should never use 5.56. (I know this is common knowledge but wanted to post it in case a new shooter reads this thread) Right. OP's barrel is marked 5.56, so he has no worries. Moral of the story - check your barrel. If it's 5.56 (or Wylde) you can use either. If it's marked .223, do not use 5.56 ammo. I would think that very few AR-15's are chambered in .223 these days. Bolt guns are a whole other story, as many of them are indeed chambered in .223. |
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Posted: 10/24/2013 4:29:30 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I vaguely remember something about switching between the two without cleaning. I don't think I'm making it up, but anything is possible... |
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Posted: 10/26/2013 1:29:20 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
I remember reading that switching between the two can cause problems, but I can't find the thread I was reading about that. Looked through ammo oracle and didn't find it. My search fu could be weak or I am blind. Please let me know the dangers, if any, of switching between 5.56 and .223. Rifle: Windham Weaponry MPC, 5.56 marked bbl Not sure if you mean mixing them in the same magazine. However, a gun marked 5.56 should fire both .223 and 5.56. Don't read the marking on the receiver, instead read the markings on the barrel to ensure it's marked 5.56. Now what is dangerous is when you shoot a 5.56 out of a barrel marked for .223. There's a chance that it can overpressure and cause damage, possibly injuring/killing you or others. However, Windham Weaponry is what is formally Bushmaster Windham factory. With that in mind, every Bushmaster I know that was made in Windham was fitted for 5.56. Since they're using the same factory/machines as they did in the past, I'm sure it's the same deal. |
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Posted: 10/27/2013 8:07:47 AM EDT
[#10]
I contacted the manufacturer of my AR and they stated that it's been tested with both .223 and 5.56 and that shooting both is fine. I also recall a similar statement in the OM.
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Posted: 10/27/2013 4:38:03 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dangers? I've never had any problems. +1 here......... |
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Posted: 10/28/2013 12:22:07 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I think you mean switching between steel cased and brass cased ammunition... Steel cased ammunition leaves more powder residue in the chamber and switching to brass cases without cleaning can cause stuck cases. I experimented with this and found that after firing approximately 100 rounds of steel cased .223 when I switched to brass cased .223, the first 10 or so empty cases came out very dirty. Afterwards, the cases came out with the normal amount of powder residue on them. I did not have sticking issues, but I could see how in some rifles it might happen. I have read accounts of others that did experience stoppages related to this issue. Switching between .223 and 5.56 should cause no issues. 1DD This doesn't apply to the Zinc cases from the MDS ammo however as I've switched back and forth between those and brass and it just keeps blastin away. |
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Posted: 10/28/2013 7:03:31 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I think you mean switching between steel cased and brass cased ammunition... Steel cased ammunition leaves more powder residue in the chamber and switching to brass cases without cleaning can cause stuck cases. I experimented with this and found that after firing approximately 100 rounds of steel cased .223 when I switched to brass cased .223, the first 10 or so empty cases came out very dirty. Afterwards, the cases came out with the normal amount of powder residue on them. I did not have sticking issues, but I could see how in some rifles it might happen. I have read accounts of others that did experience stoppages related to this issue. Switching between .223 and 5.56 should cause no issues. 1DD I switch between steel case & brass & back again with zero problems. Maybe some guns have a problem, I never encounter it with any of the ones I have had. |
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Posted: 10/29/2013 6:50:11 PM EDT
[#14]
No issues. I shoot steel, brass, 5.56 and 223 with no problems. As others have pointed out, don't shoot 5.56 if the barrel is stamped for .223.
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