AR15 Mag Question

fivepointstar · Dec 25, 2017

I know that you can't use 5.56 in the rifles unless the barrel is marked otherwise it will destroy the barrel.

So, can I load my magazines with both 5.55 and .223? will it do anything to the mag :tinfoil2:

ted76 · Dec 25, 2017

They will be fine loading either.

3paul10 · Dec 25, 2017

Yes sir

HeatSeeker · Dec 25, 2017

Those mags should take either with no problems.

AlBeight · Dec 25, 2017

Nope. Good to go. Though a PMag can stretch out the feed lips I’ve heard, without the mag retainer clip now provided on the Gen 3Mags. Heard the older plastic mags will stretch out if kept loaded for extended periods of time. I have no experience with this, just what I read.

RCH · Dec 25, 2017

Why does post seem like a 2010 flashback?

You can use either in a AR mag. The feed lip stretch is a myth. Magpul and few others have tested this by leaving a magpul loaded for months (which then evolved to 2-3 years) with no problem. New gen 2 are no longer sold with the now named "impact/dust cover".

lazarus · Dec 25, 2017

Also, likely won’t destroy a .223 Barrel firing 5.56 through it.

It is not a good idea to do regularly. Likely causes higher than SAMMI pressures because of the fractionally smaller chamber. A few or even a few hundred rounds probably would be okay. Will likely cause higher fatigue of the metal. A badly made barrel that is also slightly tighter than spec could cause serious problems.

dontpanic · Dec 25, 2017

lazarus said:
Also, likely won’t destroy a .223 Barrel firing 5.56 through it.

It is not a good idea to do regularly. Likely causes higher than SAMMI pressures because of the fractionally smaller chamber. A few or even a few hundred rounds probably would be okay. Will likely cause higher fatigue of the metal. A badly made barrel that is also slightly tighter than spec could cause serious problems.

What are you going on about? You will not destroy a 223 barrel using 5.56. Although pressures will be higher than with the same ammo in a 5.56 or wylde barrel.

Magnumite · Dec 26, 2017

Sticking with the AR-15 pattern arms, the big issue with firing 5.56 in 223 chambers is with the use of heavier bullets in 5.56 loadings. The longer bullets jam into the barrel/chamber leade, elevating pressures. But as the caveat goes...no 5.56 in 223 chambers.

What others said about mags...load both.

outrider58 · Dec 26, 2017

Higher pressures in 5.56? A myth. The two rounds are measured pressure-wise, differently.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/5-56-vs-223/

lazarus · Dec 26, 2017

outrider58 said:
Higher pressures in 5.56? A myth. The two rounds are measured pressure-wise, differently.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/5-56-vs-223/

I had seen that. But doesn’t, normally, the smaller chamber of the .223 cause higher pressure loaded with 5.56 rounds?

I know the actual pressure tests are done differently between CUP and SAMMI PSI testing and they are basically the same.

I doubt any .223 Barrel has exploded from 5.56 bullets. Higher pressures would result in faster wear. Supposing you end up with a combination that actually causes higher pressures.

outrider58 · Dec 26, 2017

lazarus said:
I had seen that. But doesn’t, normally, the smaller chamber of the .223 cause higher pressure loaded with 5.56 rounds?

I know the actual pressure tests are done differently between CUP and SAMMI PSI testing and they are basically the same.

I doubt any .223 Barrel has exploded from 5.56 bullets. Higher pressures would result in faster wear. Supposing you end up with a combination that actually causes higher pressures.

Shorter leade.

I can't nor won't go as far as to say you can shoot any 5.56 through a .223 AR barrel, but the bigger danger lies when shooting 5.56 through a .223 bolt gun. AR barrels are inherently robust.

I do not build ARs in .223. All mine are 5.56.

DaemonAssassin · Dec 26, 2017

lazarus said:
Also, likely won’t destroy a .223 Barrel firing 5.56 through it.

It is not a good idea to do regularly. Likely causes higher than SAMMI pressures because of the fractionally smaller chamber. A few or even a few hundred rounds probably would be okay. Will likely cause higher fatigue of the metal. A badly made barrel that is also slightly tighter than spec could cause serious problems.

AR barrels are designed to shoot 223 or 556 without causing issues. The only difference between a 223 barrel and 556 barrel is the leade. Nothing more. Look up the dimensions of 223 and 556 cases, you are in for a surprise.

Actually, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll help you out on your quest for information.

556

223

Both for comparison.

CodeWarrior1241 · Dec 26, 2017

If there's a discussion of 223 vs 5.56 differences I was wondering if something could get cleared up...

People have explained chamber dimensional difference and the concept of SAAMI vs NATO pressure measurement. That's all cool. However: there are lots of Wylde chambered AR barrels out there with a chamber dimensionally half-way between the two. There are Wylde reamers for sale out there too.

Has anyone used Wylde reamers in a bolt action barrel? Is there a good reason not to do this?

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clandestine · Dec 26, 2017

As mentioned, there is a difference in the leade in a 5.56 barrel vs .223 Rem. There is also a headspace difference in ,223 and 5.56.

.223 GO Headspace is 1.4636
5.56 GO Headspace is 1.4646

Guns with a 5.56 leade and a 1.4636 Headspace that are fired with 5.56 will usually exhibit pressure indicators on the brass. Headspace matters in an AR. I have lapped enough AR bolts with shorter than 1.4646 or equal to 1.4636 that wouldnt function just because headspace was short. Short headspace does not equal accuracy or reliability.

There is also Wylde Chambers, CLE Chambers, and Noveske MOD 0 Chambers.

As far as magazines go. Diversify. Not all lowers will work with all mags. Some mags will allow malfuntions on certain ammo. For instance some Alunimum mags and surefire 60/90's dont like steel cased ammo.

dist1646 · Dec 27, 2017

CodeWarrior1241 said:
Has anyone used Wylde reamers in a bolt action barrel? Is there a good reason not to do this?

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Some have chambered bolt guns with the Wylde reamer. I know of no good reason not to but, I know of no good reason to do so either. I prefer tighter match chambers in my guns. Being a handloader, it is my experience that the brass lasts longer when fired from a tighter chamber, due to the web area of the case being worked less.

CodeWarrior1241 · Dec 27, 2017

dist1646 said:
Some have chambered bolt guns with the Wylde reamer. I know of no good reason not to but, I know of no good reason to do so either.

Ok, so here's the context: say I have a 223 bolt that I'd like to see shoot 5.56 safely. I'm not really expecting ridiculous accuracy anyway, and won't be handloading. What will I truly lose by reaming the chamber?

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DaemonAssassin · Dec 27, 2017

CodeWarrior1241 said:
Ok, so here's the context: say I have a 223 bolt that I'd like to see shoot 5.56 safely. I'm not really expecting ridiculous accuracy anyway, and won't be handloading. What will I truly lose by reaming the chamber?

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If you attempt to do it yourself, the short answer is everything. Have a gunsmith do it.

CodeWarrior1241 · Dec 27, 2017

DaemonAssassin said:
If you attempt to do it yourself, the short answer is everything. Have a gunsmith do it.

Oh, sure, that was the plan. I'll probably keep the reamer and reuse it on future chambers though.

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DaemonAssassin · Dec 27, 2017

CodeWarrior1241 said:
Oh, sure, that was the plan. I'll probably keep the reamer and reuse it on future chambers though.

Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Reality check:

You do it yourself and you screw up in the slightest, you just made a hand grenade that will be about 6-8 inches from your face. Or you will have destroyed a rifle, because the chamber dimensions are way off, due to reaming out too much.

I can continue going on about the possible outcomes, but I don't think that would be conducive to the discussion.

AR15 Mag Question

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