.223/5.56 question?

jmr40 said:
I read a lot of guys on the internet who say no. But I've known guys who have done so for years. Never heard of anyone ever having a problem.
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+1

Saami list it as a unsafe combination but many people do it with out any problems.
 
When I bought it to try, I was told by the store owner that the whole issue is bogus and not to worry about it.
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He nailed it.

It is the most overhyped non issue in the gun world. 5.56x45 and .223 remington are completely interchangeable. The difference is so small that it can't be detected on the cartridge at all, and can only be detected in the gun with tools even more highly precise than those that a machinist uses.
 
Unfortunately, there's not a lot of Saiga knowledge on this forum.

YES: You can shoot 5.56 in a saiga. It IS CHAMBERED for 5.56. The saiga is a true russian AK chambered in 5.56. It is built around a "SPORTER" platform for legal IMPORT LAWS. I own a couple of them. I have spoken with the makers and the importers of the saiga. (Which happens to be the same exact manufacturer and ASSEMBLY plant that makes the true AK-47 and military weapons.

You need more accurate information. Go to this forum: Forum.saiga-12.com It is a forum dedicated specifically to the Saiga.

But again, YES, you can shoot 5.56 in a saiga. There's a lot of things about a stock saiga that is the way it is in order for it to pass Importation Laws. I.e. no pistol grip, trigger assembly, not issued with hi-cap magazines, etc... These are import rules. Go to the forum I showed. You will learn EVERYTHING about the saiga. Including how to turn it back into a 100% AK format. I even adapted my saiga .223 to use AR15/M16 magazines. (Yes, I know the 922r rules). Anyway; a lot of good intentions here, but the information about the saiga and 5.56 is simply wrong. You can shoot all of it you want. FWIW: The saiga .223 is basically a sporter/export version of the AK-101 (An AK-47 chambered in 5.56).

Again; YES, you can shoot 5.56 in it. Definitely visit the forum I mentioned. You'll learn everything about the saiga. Generic firearm forums like this one are great for a lot of information, but sometimes you need a SPECIFIC forum dedicated to a specific weapon. That's what the saiga-12 forum is for. Later...
 
In response to the question about having a problem with 5.56 in a 223: the only rifle I've noticed any problem with was a NEF single shot which showed definite high pressure signs with standard 55 grain FMJ military(real military not just labeled that way). I've used this same miltary ammo in a couple of Savages, Howa, Wby Vanguard, and 223 chambered AR's w/o seeing any evidence that it was overly hot.
 
Has anyone here had, or know of anyone that has had any kind of issues shooting 556 in 223? I'm just asking out of interest.
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NO, and I've been looking for ligit reports for about 35 years. Never found one.

I carried M193 in a Remington 700 in 223 as a Counter Sniper rifle in LE. I couldnt venture to guess how much M193 (55 grn Ball 5.56) I've shot in that gun and my Colt SP1

The M193 works good in those guns but heavier bullets not so hot, but thats because of the twist, not the chamber.
 
I will bet if someone takes the time and slugs/measures the Saiga chamber they will find it to be 5.56 anyway . ;)
 
It IS chambered for 5.56. It's intentionally marked .223, because 922r importation of weapons, don't allow for military weapons to be imported as such. That's why it has a sporter stock; not a pistol grip. It also has a 10 round magazine; not larger. Again; the saiga in .223 is basically an AK-101. There are mods done for import purposes.
 
ok truth time, i too have used 5.56 in .223 chambered rifles. no ill effects........yet. however that doesnt prove squat. we use lose clearances in our rifles and MG's to ensure they work....even when the barrels are red hot. in short use 5.56mm in a .223 chamber at your own risk.
 
Not to resurrect a dead thread or anything.... but this one fits perfectly so I figured to use this instead of a new one.

But a previous poster had said that he has not found any stated issues in 30 years of searching.

So if there were an issue with shooting the 5.56 through a .223 marked rifle what would that issue be?

I know it is quite different, but when my dad first got his H&R Revolver he didn't know it was .22mag and he was shooting .22lr through it (I know I know.... Don't ask, I was only knee high to a grasshopper at the time).
Well the only issue he said he had was that the .22lr cases were splitting.

So if an issue did arise with shooting 5.56 through a .223 rifle would it just be
cases splitting or is there a remote possibility of a KB?

I ask because I had wanted to get a Saiga in 7.62x39, but as of last night the shop had it listed on backorder. So I bought a .223 today as my second choice and from everything I read it should not be an issue to use 5.56 in it.
 
I know 3 people in the reserve that shoot mil 223 ammo out of their rem 223 for over 10 years now. Never an issue never a problem. Would i do it NO,is it recommended-NO.Does it put your life in danger-NO. I would not try this in a older rifle but new moden rifles are much better quality. The additional pressure from nato cartriges is still a far cry short of the pressure that a new barrel will handel. Not to mention that a 223 is a very wimpy load so to speak. You really need to over do it before any thing bad will happpen with this caliber. This thread has been posted many times and i don't think a real answer will ever be found. Lots of people do it and have no issues. I really don't know of a one case where something did happen from doing it. Does any one know of such a case?.
 
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from what I've seen the saiga is actually a 5.56 chamber but for some unknown reason they stamp it 223. I have heard numerous testimonials from guys that have shot thousands upon thousands of 5.56 rounds through their saigas and have never had problems. as it is, the whole argument that you cant shoot 5.56 out of a 223 chamber is starting to grow flimsier and flimsier as bullets get heavier and velocities get ever higher. I would wager that a home loaded +p 223 round holds more pressure than your average xm193.


EDIT: as long as the threading is right then the flash hider from an AR should fit your saiga barrel.
 
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@4runnerman
The additional pressure from nato cartriges is still a far cry short of the pressure that a new barrel will handel.
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I believe you are right... 556 is fine in new 223's but the barrel has nothing to do with it*. What should be worried about is the bolt lugs and lug recess engagement and battery lock-up especially on a CRF action. Even then I personally challenge anybody to show me an 'incident'.

*Remember that the same barrels are chambered for larger calibers which remove much more material making a thinner wall. I have seen 243's, 270's and bigger/hotter calibers that have thinner "whippier" barrels than my M700 in 223.

It just aint going to happen.

-SS-
 
the .223 and 5.56x45 cartridges are interchangeable, anyone that tells you different is swallowing an internet myth.
 
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