.223 vs 5.56 Chamber?

[CatskillCrawler]

I plan on only shooting .223 ammo in an AR-based rifle. It will be a walkabout predator rifle. I was thinking about getting it chambered in 5.56 just in case I run into a mess of military fodder. This way I would not be pushing the pressure envelope.

Will the larger chamber/freebore of a standard 5.56 chamber make the rifle any less accurate? OR Would it be easier to make more accurate ammo in a .223 chamber? Same basic question presented in two ways...

I understand the differences in the two cartridges and honestly would have no issues running some 5.56 ammo through a .223 chamber. I've seen it done many times and have read countless articles describing the differences and risks.

Whatcha think?

 

[CMBTshooter]

You can get a .223 Wylde chamber that supposedly fires both 5.56 and .223 equally well. I'd personally go with a 5.56 chamber and a 1-7 or 1-8 twist to handle anything.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Will the larger chamber/freebore of a standard 5.56 chamber make the rifle any less accurate?

Whatcha think?

Based on the (lack of) accuracy complaints I've seen on the Mossberg MVP rifle which is chambered in 5.56 I would suggest that a 5.56 chamber will shoot less accurately using .223 Rem ammunition. I've not heard of many shooting under 1 MOA, usually 1.25-1.5 is about as good as it gets.

I've always wondered - is there so much mil spec 5.56 ammo laying around that it's worth sacrificing accuracy just to be able to shoot it in a rifle along with 223 Rem? I'd get a "MSR" (even though I detest them) if I really wanted to shoot 5.56 all day long. Doing it in a bolt action rifle to save a few pennies along the way just doesn't seem to make sense.

Off soapbox now. :mrgreen:

 

[jimbo88mm]

I to was concerned that the 556 chamber would be a little less accurate with 223s. My AR has a 556 chamber. If you scroll down a little I started a thread about ballistic tips with my AR...

http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21359

I no longer worry about the 556 chamber

 

[CatskillCrawler]

You can get a .223 Wylde chamber that supposedly fires both 5.56 and .223 equally well. I'd personally go with a 5.56 chamber and a 1-7 or 1-8 twist to handle anything.

I've looked into the Wylde chambering but the outfits which I'll probably purchase this rifle thru don't offer it without cost.

Jimbo - nothing to sneeze at with that load!

Dr V - just want to make sure I understand you correctly. The Mossberg forum hasn't been favorable with .223 loads out of a 5.56 chamber?

Thanks for your thoughts gents.

 

[Woodycreek]

All of my ARs have 5.56 chambers and shoot 223 rounds just as good if not way better. My flat top Bushmaster Varmiter shoots 50-55 gr 223 into tiny bug hole groups. That's with Blackhills ammo (red box) or my reloads. The big thing is matching size bullet and twist rate. All of mine are 1-9 twist and its hard to get any of them to shoot good groups with bullets over 60gr.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Dr V - just want to make sure I understand you correctly. The Mossberg forum hasn't been favorable with .223 loads out of a 5.56 chamber?

Thanks for your thoughts gents.

Correct - the accuracy seen in these rifles is not what I'd want. The concept is great but I'm not buying one of those Mossberg MVP's given their lack of accuracy.

Of course, a custom barrel on your own rifle could be entirely different. I'm just passing along what I've seen discussed on a factory rifle and chambering.