The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: clm on October 04, 2007, 09:29:11 AM

Title: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: clm on October 04, 2007, 09:29:11 AM: Please help a new guy,
I willl purchase a new ar soon but need some help with the differences between .223 and 5.56 ammo.
Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: Hazcat on October 04, 2007, 09:40:47 AM: What it comes down to is if your rifle is chambered for 556 it will shoot 223. If your rifle is chambered for 223 it may not shoot 556.
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: tew on October 04, 2007, 09:47:46 AM: Most of the AR type rifles are 5.56, so they will shoot either. I think I've heard the biggest difference are chamber pressures.
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: Hazcat on October 04, 2007, 09:57:18 AM: Quote from: tew on October 04, 2007, 09:47:46 AM
Most of the AR type rifles are 5.56, so they will shoot either. I think I've heard the biggest difference are chamber pressures.

Yep. According to an article in American Rifleman Sept 2007 issue that is the big reason.
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: 2HOW on October 04, 2007, 03:46:36 PM: Here is probably the best sight for this question http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: clm on October 04, 2007, 05:34:46 PM: Thanks for the info!
Does anyone find a brand of AR to shoot moe accurately than another, especially at 150-200 yards?
I like to photocopy paper money and shoot the portraits, is this accuracy possible at 150-200 with an AR?
Savage 12 Low Profile in .204 is no problem up to about 250 yards if there is no wind!
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: gunman42782 on October 05, 2007, 04:30:22 AM: You might have to get a varmint/target model AR to get that kind of accuracy, but heck yes, the AR can do it. Carl Bernosky won the High Power Rifle Championship this year with a highly modified AR.
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: Bidah on October 06, 2007, 09:11:39 AM: Clm,

Here we go taking the thread off topic...

You will need to move up to a Target/DCM/Varmit rilfe as was said. My DCM rifle will do 2" groups easy at 200m if I do my part with my match reloads. You could possibly go cheaper, if you need to, by using a HB 20" and then getting a free float tube. My off the shelf one built by me will do this, but it is not quite as good as the DCM one. It will pull just over 3" at 300m, again with my match reloads.

So, you have options. Which way do you believe that you would like to go? Better yet, post that question as it's own thread so we have it for reference later...

--------- back to thread ------------

Yes, 5.56 has higher pressures. I also believe that the .223 is a tighter chamber. Don't quote me though :)

-Bidah
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: 2HOW on October 07, 2007, 04:43:29 PM: Ammo has a lot to do with accuracy along with twist. The boat tails seem to be more accurate, but the steel core seem to be less . check with ammo oracle on this.
Title: Re: .223 vs 5.56
Post by: BULLDOG on October 08, 2007, 11:35:24 AM: Rock River Arms AR's shoot very tight groups right out of the box. "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"