The Differences Between (and Similarities of) .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO
If you’re familiar with the AR-15 platform, chances are you’re aware
that the .223 Remington is the close civilian cousin of the 5.56 NATO
cartridge. If you weren’t aware of that, you’re welcome! That
distinction raises a number of questions and has also created a number
of misconceptions.
The practical concern raised by this question generally is: Should I buy an AR-15 chambered for 5.56 NATO or one chambered for .223 Remington? Unfortunately, as is so often the case with these things, there’s not really a firm answer that can simply resolve the question. It’s an issue of preference.
The Basics
The most important practical piece of information regarding the difference between .223 ammo and the 5.56 NATO cartridge is pressure. The 5.56 NATO cartridge produces considerably more of it when being fired. That matters because while a .223 Remington cartridge can be fired from a rifle machined to take 5.56 NATO rounds, the reverse is not necessarily true.
There are also some fairly minuscule differences between the dimensions of the cartridges and rounds. The 5.56 NATO is a little bit bigger, which can make feeding it through a rifle chambered for a .223 Remington tricky. Particularly when the chamber of the rifle has been machined “tight,” as 5.56 NATO brass expanding after a shot can fail to eject and require manual removal with a rod.
There is a bit of hyperbole about rifles chambered for .223s exploding on shooters when they attempt to fire 5.56 NATO cartridges from them. Unless someone’s firing a very hot 5.56 load from a very poorly-made AR-15, chances are the worst that will happen is damaging wear the mechanism. Still, to be safe and to avoid jams and foul-ups, it’s best not to risk it. That fact could certainly contribute to the conclusion that the only logical decision is to buy a rifle chambered for 5.56 NATO because it can shoot both cartridges. But that depends on one’s priorities.
Why Buy a Rifle Chambered for .223 Remington?
There are actually a number of reasons to get an AR-15, or rifle not part of the AR-15 platform, chambered for the .223 Remington. (A quick aside, a lot of rifles machined for the .223 Remington will list the 5.56 NATO cartridge as a compatible round. It’s still not recommended to fire the 5.56 NATO through them.) Among the most important of those is price. Although it’s not always the case, .223 ammo for sale tends to be less expensive than 5.56 NATO cartridges.
So if you don’t have a preference for the 5.56 NATO cartridge in specific hunting, defense, or hobby-shooting scenarios, picking up a firearm chambered for the .223 Remington should be no problem. Conversely, if you are interested in long-distance .223 Remington shooting for either hunting or competition, definitely stick with a rifle specifically designed for that cartridge.
While it certainly won’t hurt a rifle chambered for 5.56 NATO to have the .223 Remington fired through it, it can negatively impact accuracy at long range. However, anyone preferring the option to safely use either the 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington and who isn’t planning to enter shooting competitions or take 1,000-yard shots, get a good rifle chambered for the 5.56.
About Ammunition Depot
Ammunition Depot is simply the best source for ammunition online. If you have a firearm and are looking to load it, chances are they have you covered. From .50 BMG and .22 LR to 9mm and bulk .223 ammo, they’ve got it. Ammunition Depot is passionate about firearms, the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, and giving back. As such, they’re proud to give to charities for law enforcement and the troops, to support shooting sports, and to promote job growth in their home state of Florida, with an emphasis on hiring vets.
Enjoy quick shipping on everything you need to protect your home, hunt for dinner, or just have fun on the range, at Ammunitiondepot.com
The practical concern raised by this question generally is: Should I buy an AR-15 chambered for 5.56 NATO or one chambered for .223 Remington? Unfortunately, as is so often the case with these things, there’s not really a firm answer that can simply resolve the question. It’s an issue of preference.
The Basics
The most important practical piece of information regarding the difference between .223 ammo and the 5.56 NATO cartridge is pressure. The 5.56 NATO cartridge produces considerably more of it when being fired. That matters because while a .223 Remington cartridge can be fired from a rifle machined to take 5.56 NATO rounds, the reverse is not necessarily true.
There are also some fairly minuscule differences between the dimensions of the cartridges and rounds. The 5.56 NATO is a little bit bigger, which can make feeding it through a rifle chambered for a .223 Remington tricky. Particularly when the chamber of the rifle has been machined “tight,” as 5.56 NATO brass expanding after a shot can fail to eject and require manual removal with a rod.
There is a bit of hyperbole about rifles chambered for .223s exploding on shooters when they attempt to fire 5.56 NATO cartridges from them. Unless someone’s firing a very hot 5.56 load from a very poorly-made AR-15, chances are the worst that will happen is damaging wear the mechanism. Still, to be safe and to avoid jams and foul-ups, it’s best not to risk it. That fact could certainly contribute to the conclusion that the only logical decision is to buy a rifle chambered for 5.56 NATO because it can shoot both cartridges. But that depends on one’s priorities.
Why Buy a Rifle Chambered for .223 Remington?
There are actually a number of reasons to get an AR-15, or rifle not part of the AR-15 platform, chambered for the .223 Remington. (A quick aside, a lot of rifles machined for the .223 Remington will list the 5.56 NATO cartridge as a compatible round. It’s still not recommended to fire the 5.56 NATO through them.) Among the most important of those is price. Although it’s not always the case, .223 ammo for sale tends to be less expensive than 5.56 NATO cartridges.
So if you don’t have a preference for the 5.56 NATO cartridge in specific hunting, defense, or hobby-shooting scenarios, picking up a firearm chambered for the .223 Remington should be no problem. Conversely, if you are interested in long-distance .223 Remington shooting for either hunting or competition, definitely stick with a rifle specifically designed for that cartridge.
While it certainly won’t hurt a rifle chambered for 5.56 NATO to have the .223 Remington fired through it, it can negatively impact accuracy at long range. However, anyone preferring the option to safely use either the 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington and who isn’t planning to enter shooting competitions or take 1,000-yard shots, get a good rifle chambered for the 5.56.
About Ammunition Depot
Ammunition Depot is simply the best source for ammunition online. If you have a firearm and are looking to load it, chances are they have you covered. From .50 BMG and .22 LR to 9mm and bulk .223 ammo, they’ve got it. Ammunition Depot is passionate about firearms, the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, and giving back. As such, they’re proud to give to charities for law enforcement and the troops, to support shooting sports, and to promote job growth in their home state of Florida, with an emphasis on hiring vets.
Enjoy quick shipping on everything you need to protect your home, hunt for dinner, or just have fun on the range, at Ammunitiondepot.com
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