223/5.56 ammo

[montveil]

I have several boxes of ammo that is labeled 223 AND 5.56X45
Am I to assume it can be used in both a 223 and 5.56?

Does this mean I can shoot it in my Handi 223

[OldSchoolRanger]

What brand is the ammo?  Can you post a photo of the box that shows the caliber description?  I have never seen ammo labeled that way.

Just FYI, .5.56mm (Nato) is loaded hotter than .223Rem..

[SHOOTALL]

There is much debate about the two. I have read quite a bit some conflicts with others. So it depends on who you trust or just like as to what you believe. The military case is stronger and in most cases thicker , this can be tested by checking the capacity of a military case with a sporting case. The primer used for military ammo is most likely arsenal type primers , they help prevent slam fires. The primer is also sealed in military ammo as is the bullet. There are several chambers for shooting 223 or 5.56. There is the strickly 223 labeled chamber then there are guns labeled 5.56 . There are mostly now chambers that will accept both as a safety measure , no one wants to put out a gun that can blow up.
I got an upper for an AR. A buddy gun smith checked the chamber with a 223 gauge and it went in to far. It had a 5.56 chamber as indicated by the gauge for 5.56. . He made it a 223 chamber since I shoot more 223 than 5.56. The thought was it would work the brass less. I have since shot 5.56 in the gun with no apperant damage. With a break open gun it might be a problem if you have a deep chamber and mimnum spec. 223 ammo.
 
 I have seen dual marked ammo , Federal Tatical XM193 .223/5.56 55 gr MCBT ammo is so marked I think.

[montveil]

The box is Sellier & Bellot
FMJ/M193
3.6g 55 grs
4.4mm boxer

[tacklebury]

I've had no issues with Milsurp including actual rounds from military supplies. 

[OldSchoolRanger]

The box is Sellier & Bellot
FMJ/M193
3.6g 55 grs
4.4mm boxer

Considering that it's a good company (S&B), I would say that it is safe to shoot in your Handi .223Rem.  The reason I asked is, if it was Wolf or Tula (which is the military arsenal producing Wolf), I would not recommend it. 

I personally have a Glock 17 in 9mm, that was damaged by what I believe to be an overcharged round.  After I contacted Wolf/Tula, they agreed to pay for repairs, I had to have the frame replaced, along with a magazine.  I won't shoot any of the Ruskie stuff except in Russian or Chinese surplus arms like my SKS's.

For the record, there is a difference between .223Rem and 5.56mm(Nato), this article from 6mmbr.com sums it up.

".223 Remington vs. 5.56x45--Chambering and Throat Considerations
 Is the .223 Remington the same as the 5.56x45? The answer is yes and no. There ARE differences between the .223 Remington as shot in civilian rifles and the 5.56x45 in military use. While the external cartridge dimensions are essentially the same, the .223 Remington is built to SAAMI specs, rated to 50,000 CUP max pressure, and normally has a shorter throat. The 5.56x45 is built to NATO specs, rated to 60,000 CUP max pressure, and has a longer throat, optimized to shoot long bullets. That said, there are various .223 Remington match chambers, including the Wylde chamber, that feature longer throats. Military 5.56x45 brass often, but not always, has thicker internal construction, and slightly less capacity than commercial .223 Rem brass.
 Should you be worried about shooting 5.56x45 milspec ammo in a .223 Remington? The answer really depends on your chamber. 5.56 x45 ammo is intended for chambers with longer throats. If you shoot hot 5.56x45 ammo in short-throated SAAMI-spec chambers you can encounter pressure issues. The new long-throated 'Wylde' chamber allows safe use of military ammo. Wylde chambers are quite common in Rock River guns. Other manufacturers, such as Fulton Armory, offer modified "match chambers" with extended throats that allow safe use of 5.56x45 ammo in .223 Remington rifles. For a complete discussion of the .223 Rem vs. 5.56x45 question, read this Tech Notice from Winchester, and this GunZone Commentary by Dean Speir. Without belaboring the point, we'll repeat the official SAAMI position: "Chambers for military rifles have a different throat configuration than chambers for sporting firearms which, together with the full metal jacket of the military projectile, may account for the higher pressures which result when military ammunition is fired in a sporting chamber. SAAMI recommends that a firearm be fired only with the cartridge for which it is specifically chambered by the manufacturer."

[quickdtoo]

H&R has issued warnings about shooting 5.56 NATO ammo in their 223 Rem, mine came with this.

Tim

[montveil]

I called H&R and they told me NO 5.56.  BUT my 1 in 9 twist 223 will shoot better with heavier bullets between 62 and 77 grains.
 I found that interesting and the previous discussion about heavier bullets being longer does not seem to apply.

[montveil]

Got this reply from S&G

Dear Sir. Excuse me please the delay of my reply, we were on the IWA fair. Our cartridges 223 Remington/5,56 x 45 you can shoot from all rifles chambered in this caliber. Your faithfully Hykel Sellier & Bellot

[moorepower]

If you are looking for accuracy, don't look at fmj ammo. Pick up some 68-75 grain Hornady or 69-77 grain Sierra bullets.

[ironglowjr]

Simply put the throat in the 5.56 NATO BBL is almost twice as long as it is in a .223.  I belive  the exact measurement is .086 in .223 rem, and .160 in the 5.56 NATO i believe...

[coon007]

buds guns has a H&R 223/5.56 nato listed on there site ..is this a new gun because they also have a 223 remington listed also ....the 223/5.56 is about $30 more...first time i have seen it or i missed it

[quickdtoo]

Just Bud's marketing ploy, it's not listed on the firearm description and you won't see 5.56 listed on H&R's site, in fact they specifically warn not to shoot 5.56 ammo in their 223 Rems.

Tim