Thread: can you shoot 5.56x45 in a 223

hi i got 3 pack of seller and ballot the box on the out side says 223 but on the cases it has 5.56x45 was wandering if you can shoot them in a 223 with out doing any damage cheers guys

5.56x45 is the Millitary equivilent of .223 remmington.

Just like 7.62x51 is the millitary equivilent of 308 winchester.

It has almost identical external dimensions but differs in the chamber shape and the primer will be crimped into place. Hence the term "Millitary Brass".

Yes it is safe to shoot in your .223.

Check out Wikipedia's explanation.
.223 Remington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheers
Pete

send the box to me, and i will test them for you however my rifle is chambered 5.56.

some say you shouldnt shoot 5.56 in a 223, but i have also heard ppl swear black and blue that it is fine in both and they have fired hundreds of 5.56 thru a 223.
if i had a quality 223 i didnt want to damage, and only a few boxs i 5.56, i wouldnt risk it.
however they will probably be fine.

stick em on tard me and someone with 5.56 will buy em.

Isn't there something about throat length and 5.56 using heavier bullets? If they are 55 grn or under I think they would be fine in a 223. But a 1:14 twist 223 with a short throat might get into trouble with 5.56 ammo that has a heavy projectile seated for a long throat.

Is that confusing, or what?

If the box says 223 on the outside then it will be loaded to 223 specification, regardless of headstamp. Yes 5.56 has a longer throat and higher pressure so a tight chamber 223 could have issues with SS109 or M855 loadings.

cheers guy also will a 1 n 12inch barrel be allrite to shot 64 grain bellets cheers

As others have mentioned, 5.56mmx45 has longer throat, brass tends to be thicker and heavier, runs at higher pressures and tolerances might not be as tight.
The Sellior and Bellot 5.56mm brass I have is ridiculously heavy (around 10 grains more for each case) and much thicker than the likes of Federal mil spec brass.

If its factory S&B ammo, you should be okay to run it. Just take note if you reload with it the difference in pressure if you mix the brass.

Just for giggles, my bolt action .223, a Sako 75 has a much longer throat and slightly bigger head space than my semi auto .223, a Schmeisser AR15, which has real tight chamber.

Originally Posted by 0223

cheers guy also will a 1 n 12inch barrel be allrite to shot 64 grain bellets cheers

No, you need a 1 in 9" or faster to stabilise those.

if its military spec loaded then its officially the nato SS109rd,these were loaded with a heavier 62gn bullet .beaswre too that bewcause military ammo is also dsesigned for machineguns some loading specs can be a little more robust

can you still shot federail 64 grain bullets in a 1 n 12inch tweist or will it stuff your barral cheers

Originally Posted by 0223

can you still shot federail 64 grain bullets in a 1 n 12inch tweist or will it stuff your barral cheers

It wont stuff your barrel but it is unlikely a 1:12 will stabalise a 64 gr projectile. I have had them tumble under 50 yrds thru a 1:12 barrel on an AR

thanks r93 what do you think about 5.56x35 can you shoot them out of a 223 they have 223 on the box on the outside but on the cases it has 5.56x45 cheers

I use Lake city 5.56 x 45 neck sized only, brass in my .223 and have done for years. It goes really well, never had an issue.

Originally Posted by R93

I use Lake city 5.56 x 45 neck sized only, brass in my .223 and have done for years. It goes really well, never had an issue.

Its good stuff.

Silly me sold 500 fully prepped cases of LC 09 before I bought my AR.

Duh.