What does one need to know about loading the two different rounds? Case specs? Length? Dies? etc.? Cautions?
A .223 will chamber in a 5.56 chamber, but a 5.56 should not be used in a .223 chambered barrel. Study the case dimensions listed in the books and how the two differ. Not much but, enough to have extraction troubles with 5.56 in a .223 barrel. Not enough powder charge change to make it dangerous. You'll find the 5.56 has some larger dimensions in a few areas.
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So should I be using 556 dies only on a 556 or is it ok to use .223 dies on them? I have both a mini14 in .223 and a few Ar's in 5.56 and want to simplify what I load and what I need to use.
If that's the case then load with .223 dies only. Load to 5.56 charge weights if you feel froggy.
http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html
Read this article. The chamber of your firearm is where the difference lies, not necessarily the case. You will use .223 dies on both firearms. However some powder manufacturers list 5.56 NATO load data. Namely Accurate and Ramshot powders.
The above poster stating that there is not much of a powder difference to matter is inaccurate. "Tests have confirmed that chamber pressures in a sporting rifle may be significantly higher in the same gun when using military 5.56mm ammunition rather than commercially loaded Caliber .223 Remington cartridges, according to SAAMI."
What does all this mean? If you utilize 223 load data exclusively and work up your loads carefully, you and your firearm will be safe.
For more info: http://www.thegunzone.com/556v223.html
Read this article. The chamber of your firearm is where the difference lies, not necessarily the case. You will use .223 dies on both firearms. However some powder manufacturers list 5.56 NATO load data. Namely Accurate and Ramshot powders.
The above poster stating that there is not much of a powder difference to matter is inaccurate. "Tests have confirmed that chamber pressures in a sporting rifle may be significantly higher in the same gun when using military 5.56mm ammunition rather than commercially loaded Caliber .223 Remington cartridges, according to SAAMI."
What does all this mean? If you utilize 223 load data exclusively and work up your loads carefully, you and your firearm will be safe.
For more info: http://www.thegunzone.com/556v223.html
The 556 will shoot fine out of the mini, its almost a wylde chamber.
Some of your ...less expensive weapons may not handle or fit the 556, the quality of the ruger mini, or any quality weapon is what makes the difference.
Its no different than loading a "hot" round for the 556.
(I wouldnt use a "hot" round in the mini, but standard ammo should be fine)
Now accuracy may be a little different thing......
Some of your ...less expensive weapons may not handle or fit the 556, the quality of the ruger mini, or any quality weapon is what makes the difference.
Its no different than loading a "hot" round for the 556.
(I wouldnt use a "hot" round in the mini, but standard ammo should be fine)
Now accuracy may be a little different thing......
I can't say that I've ever seen 5.56 dies, but I've loaded thousands of .223. For me, it doesn't matter if the brass is .223 or 5.56 when I'm reloading. I always use .223 load data and I never load to max load.
The only time I have any concern about the differences is if I'm using actual factory loaded 5.56 ammo.
The only time I have any concern about the differences is if I'm using actual factory loaded 5.56 ammo.
THat is some solid advice. Do not rely on whatever is marked on the barrel, unless it is from a manufacturer that adheres to strict quality control methods and procedures.
If you have verified the chamber as 5.56 the next step is incrementally increasing charge weights while looking for signs of overpressure. If you dont already see ejector smearing then you soon will but that is somewhat normal for spec pressure 5.56 loads. Combine that with split necks and popped or cratered primers and you will know you are probably at the limits of reliability and safety. Just be methodical and patient.
There can be enough difference in case volume to raise pressures even using .223 data in 5.56 cases. The 5.56 brass is usually thicker and has less volume for powder which could give higher pressures with the same charge weight.
That said I have loaded mixed brass with the same .223 charge weights with no problems. There may have been pressure variations doing that. As long as the pressures were not to high it would be safe.
Pressure variations can contribute to accuracy problems.
That said I have loaded mixed brass with the same .223 charge weights with no problems. There may have been pressure variations doing that. As long as the pressures were not to high it would be safe.
Pressure variations can contribute to accuracy problems.
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