I'm new around here and have seen that most of ya'll are very educated on guns. I'm looking to buy an AR-15, but I'm confused on the chamber type. I know if the gun is chambered for 5.56mm, I can fire .223 in it, but not the other way around due to brass thickness, etc. How do I know what the gun is chambered for if most of them list 5.56mm/.223? Example: S&W M&P models, some list just 5.56mm NATO and some 5.56mm NATO / .223.
Chambered for 5.56mm
- Thread starter Vince44
- Start date
precision_shooter
New member
As long as it states 5.56 then you can shoot .223. Some manufacturers list 5.56/.223 so the the "less educated" know that the rifle can shoot both and doesn't go looking for ammo labled 5.56mm on the box. If is only lists .223 as the caliber, then you're best not shooting mil-surp ammo...It's all a liability thing...
Thanks for the info.thesheepdog
New member
A .223 Wlyde chamber will shoot 5.56mm
That'll Do
New member
This thread at m4carbine.net explains the difference quite well, with pictures: http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=55149
precision_shooter
New member
That is true, and I did not mention that part. One of my RRA's has the Wylde chamber and the other has the 5.56mm chamber. You don't see the wylde chamber as much anymore. Most companies that i've seen now just cut it with a 5.56mm chamber...
Bartholomew Roberts
Moderator
For that matter, if you stuck an actual 5.56mm NATO chamber gauge in every barrel stamped "5.56", you'd find a lot of those weren't to actual 5.56 chamber dimensions either. A lot of them have a longer leade than .223; but still shorter than 5.56.