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Help - 556 in a 223??? [message #20727] Thu, 14 March 2013 20:22 Go to next message
gator is currently offline  gator
Messages: 18
Registered: April 2012
Forum Newbie
Wasn't sure where to post this. What can you guys tell me on using 556 ammo in a 223 barrel. Can I -
Yes - No - Maybe
Help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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Re: Help - 556 in a 223??? [message #20731 is a reply to message #20727] Thu, 14 March 2013 22:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cajuntec is currently offline  cajuntec
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Registered: November 2009
Location: Williamsburg, VA
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No. 5.56 is higher pressure than a .223. You can shoot .223 in a 5.56, but not the other way around.

That was the short version. Longer version, nicely worded from Cheaper than Dirt website:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/mediapages/ArticleDetail.aspx ?mediaid=316

All the best,
Glenn

If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!

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Re: Help - 556 in a 223??? [message #20736 is a reply to message #20731] Fri, 15 March 2013 08:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Doyle is currently offline  Doyle
Messages: 318
Registered: June 2011
Location: Starkville, Ms
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Glenn, I know that is the case with autos - if they aren't chambered for 5.56 then they can't handle the pressure. But what about an Encore? Surely an Encore barrel is WAY more than up to the challenge of the higher pressure. Is there something about the chamber shape in an Encore that would prevent using 5.56 in a .223 Encore?

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Re: Help - 556 in a 223??? [message #20742 is a reply to message #20736] Fri, 15 March 2013 09:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Crubear is currently offline  Crubear
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Registered: March 2010
Location: NW Georgia
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Do I think the Encore can take it? Yes.
Do I want you to find out that it can't (the hard way)? No
Can you reload 5.56 to safely shoot in an Encore? Yes

Honestly, I have all the barrels I want or could ever need..... wait, look, there's another!!

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Re: Help - 556 in a 223??? [message #20746 is a reply to message #20742] Fri, 15 March 2013 10:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rchatting is currently offline  rchatting
Messages: 499
Registered: August 2011
Location: Middle Georgia
Forum Regular
I was told by a friend that he had shot some of the hot factory 556 loads in his encore .223 and it caused extraction issues and that he broke more than 1 extractor. He said after the 3rd one, TC said they wouldn't replace his extractors anymore. So he doesn't shoot those out of it anymore.

I reload. I prefer the LC brass in mine and that is all I use.

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Re: Help - 556 in a 223??? [message #20763 is a reply to message #20746] Sat, 16 March 2013 08:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gator is currently offline  gator
Messages: 18
Registered: April 2012
Forum Newbie
Guys Thanks for the information. The 556 was available but I wanted to check first, glad I did.
Like Crubear said I don't want to find out the hard way that is was to much for the barrel to handle.

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Re: Help - 556 in a 223??? [message #20774 is a reply to message #20763] Sat, 16 March 2013 11:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lepcur is currently offline  lepcur
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Registered: April 2011
Location: Westpoint,Ca.
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My son in law shoots the military surplus ammo all the time in his encore and I used to shoot it in a encore pistol, we never had a problem. JMO Mike

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Re: Help - 556 in a 223??? [message #20777 is a reply to message #20774] Sat, 16 March 2013 11:36 Go to previous message
cajuntec is currently offline  cajuntec
Messages: 1250
Registered: November 2009
Location: Williamsburg, VA
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Mike,

I had a friend in my youth that shot .45 Long Colt out of his bolt action .410 Mossberg shotgun. He never had a problem either.

Just because you "can" do something doesn't make it safe. It only takes that one time, and you won't be able to do it again.

I have to admit that I want to do the same thing. But I want to do it safely, so I've been asking around to find out if I can get my barrel cut to a Wylde chamber so that when the pressure builds up with the surplus rounds, it's ok - my firearm will be able to take it.

Here is the diagram that shows a comparison between .223, 5.56, and the Wylde chamber:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i129.photobucket. com/albums/p203/CHRIS65-IL/223-vs-NATO-vs-WYLDE-chambers.jpg &imgrefurl=http://www.mnguntalk.com/viewtopic.php?f%3D12 %26t%3D27976&h=550&w=550&sz=49&tbnid=Yv0zVKc jAcT2TM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwyld e%2Bchamber%2Bdrawing%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1& q=wylde+chamber+drawing&usg=__xwHPl3Tjn0tASdA4d6qRdj-IEd Y=&docid=3sD0c1luT7I9bM&sa=X&ei=l49EUdPcKpGi8QSi 1IG4Bg&ved=0CF0Q9QEwBA&dur=3854

The problem I run into right now is the gunsmiths. Many have Wylde reamers. You ask them if they can ream a .223 to Wylde and they smile and say yes. Until you pull out the Encore barrel, and then they look confused. None of them have taken on the task yet. I guess they are just used to .223 AR barrels coming in for the service.

All the best,
Glenn

If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!

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