Can you shoot 5.56 ammo in a .223 REM NEF?

[Ridge Runner]

Anyone know? Bad idea?

[quickdtoo]

Bad idea, H&R specifically warns against it, they include the note below with every 223, most of those that have tried aren't happy with the accuracy.

Tim

[Ridge Runner]

Thank you. I have 1000 rounds of 5.56 that have been sitting in the closet for a year.

Guess they will have to wait.

[trotterlg]

Can you do it?  Yes, they fit and shoot.  NEF says no, don't do it.  However, they also say not to shoot hand loads in their rifles either, so I guess near every one on this board is breaking the NEF rules and suggesting people do dangerous things, even Quick has been known to shoot a Hand Load or two.   Larry

[guimus]

I think there are two main reasons they say no:

1)pressure. Some military 5.56 is loaded to higher pressure levels than commercial .223. Some is not. For instance, Radway Green is at or below many commercial .223 pressure levels. If you don't know your ammo, though, it's probably best not to try it.

2)rifling. The rifling of the handis often isn't sufficient to stabilize the most common weights of 5.56 (55 and 62 grains) bullets

That said, I've shot some "5.56" 55 grainers out of my handi to great success.

[trotterlg]

guimus:  You are very lucky to be alive today!  Larry

[guimus]

guimus:  You are very lucky to be alive today!  Larry

This is true, but not for any reasons you're thinking!

I chrony all of my ammo, and the 5.56 and .223 all goes through my RRA varmint rifle with a wylde chamber and some very nice glass up top. I like to know the ballistics and ultimate accuracy potential of my ammo. From the velocity I can make a rather informed guess of the pressure given bullet weight and style, and it's pretty obvious which ones are perfectly safe for a .223 handi.

[Ridge Runner]

My 5.56 is made by OLIN Industries.

[quickdtoo]

Can you do it?  Yes, they fit and shoot.  NEF says no, don't do it.  However, they also say not to shoot hand loads in their rifles either, so I guess near every one on this board is breaking the NEF rules and suggesting people do dangerous things, even Quick has been known to shoot a Hand Load or two.   Larry

They don't say not to shoot handloaded ammo, they decline liability if handloaded/reloaded ammo causes a problem, but I don't think milsurp is made to SAAMI/ANSI standards, at least published handload data is based on SAAMI standards.

Tim

This firearm was manufactured by H&R 1871, LLC, and has
been tested using proof and service ammunition that meets
Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers Institute
(SAAMI) & American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
performance standards.
H&R 1871, LLC assumes no liability or responsibility for injury or
damages resulting from misuse, neglect, alterations, the use of
parts not of our manufacture or the use of ammunition that is
faulty, handloaded, reloaded or not made to the above standards.

http://hr1871.com/documents/manuals/HR_NEF_HANDI_RIFLE_MANUAL.pdf

[prairiedog555]

How about that cheap steal case .223 russian stuff?  Is it safe and/or accurate in a Handi.
I have about 1000 rds of 62 and 55 gr. wolf.

And I just got a new .223 bull.  is it 1 in 9 twist?
what grain bullet is optimum for this barrel?

thankyou

[quickdtoo]

New doesn't always mean recently made, the only way to know what the twist is, is to check it, see the FAQs. If the barrel was made in 2007, it's likely a 1:9" except for the Superlights which are still 1:12", at least until the get a new run.

Few, if any have reported the steel cased ammo shooting good.

Tim

[guimus]

The Wolf/Barnaul/Brown Bear ammo is plenty safe to shoot (I've found the 55 grain wolf to be amongst the slowest 55 grain ammo I've tried) but don't expect any accuracy at all. Out of my precision rig that will put quality ammo in .5 MOA all day, I still feel lucky to get 4 MOA with the Russian stuff. It's also dirty and smells horrible. Oh, and my handi has sent a 63 grain bullet through a target sideways.

[Joel24]

Every manufacturer denies liability when it comes to handloads.H&R is hardly alone here.

556 and 223 are built to different specs...end of story.

It'll work, but it ain't made to. Maybe you could cut a 556 or Wylde chamber in your Handi and then be okay?

[Sourdough]

I alternate back and forth all the time.  I pick up 5.56 cheap at gun shows and it works fine out of my Handis, Mini-14s, and Contendors.  I buy the remanufactored .223 stuff also and some boxes are commercial brass, some is military brass.  I've never had any problems.  In my book they are just like the 7.62 and .308, totally interchangable.