The Gun Thread

[Cotton]

Thanks, brother. Can I ask, are you able to use .223 ammo on a 5.56 rifle without any issues?

Yes. You can read about it here.

So, can a rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO shoot a .223 bullet?
Yes, a .223 Remington bullet can be fired safely from a rifle chambered for 5.56 NATO. The reason for this is because 5.56 rounds have a higher chamber pressure at around 58,000 psi compared to the .223 Remington which has a chamber pressure around 55,000 psi. So the rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO will be able to withstand the .223 Remington ammunition.

Can a 5.56 Rifle Shoot .223 Ammunition? Vice Versa & Everything Else You Need To Know - Tactical Gear Guy

Before we get into this article, for the sake of safety, use the designated ammunition stamped on the barrel of your firearm. This will ensure the longevity

tacticalgearguy.com

 

[NoDak]

Thanks, brother. Can I ask, are you able to use .223 ammo on a 5.56 rifle without any issues?

You can use .223 in a 5.56 NATO chambered weapon, but can't use 5.56 in a .223

There are two main differences between the cartridges. The first is that the 5.56 has a bit more powder and thus a slightly higher pressure level than the .223—about 58,000 psi vs 55,000 psi. Not huge, but it matters.

The second difference is that rifles chambered for 5.56 have a slightly longer “throat,” and 5.56 ammo is designed to work with that length. When you fire a 5.56 cartridge out of a .223 rifle with a slightly shorter throat (the part of the chamber that’s in front of the case), it generates pressure of 65,000 psi or more. The .223 gun is just not designed for that amount of pressure, and it can cause everything from reliability problems to blown primers to damage to the firearm and the shooter.

Conversely, shooting a .223 cartridge out of a 5.56 rifle is safe, but because of that difference in throat length, you might not achieve the velocity and performance/accuracy you’re looking for. It might not even properly cycle the action of a semi-automatic 5.56 rifle, particularly with a barrel shorter than 14.5 inches (which most of us probably aren’t shooting, as it’s below the legal minimum barrel length for civilian firearms).

Bottom line: Never fire a 5.56 NATO cartridge out of a gun that is marked .223 Rem. — it’s not safe. It is safe to fire a .223 Rem. cartridge out of a gun marked 5.56 NATO, but you might suffer some velocity and accuracy loses. As always, if you have any doubt, just don’t load a firearm with any ammo other than what’s stamped on the gun.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

PSA makes a great AR15 for a reasonable price. Here is a bundle with a 9mm.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-nitride-5-56-nato-moe-rifle-psa-dagger-compact-9mm-pistol-w-swr-rmr-slide-rear-sight-rear.html

So I know nothing about this and am just curious... Does a company like this actually manufacture these guns? Or is it like so many things and they're made overseas somewhere and they just put their name on them? I guess the quality is pretty good?

 

[roughneck266]

The Palmetto 9 mm handguns are essentially a Glock for all practical purposes, but they're substantially cheaper. They make some really nice AR15's too, some of them come with FNH barrels in 556/223. I own several guns they made and bang for the buck they're very hard to beat. I bought one of their 5.7X28 pistols to have for a sidearm when I am guiding hog hunts, and it's actually at least as accurate as my FN 57. Palmettos stuff is made here.

 

[Cotton]

So I know nothing about this and am just curious... Does a company like this actually manufacture these guns? Or is it like so many things and they're made overseas somewhere and they just put their name on them? I guess the quality is pretty good?

They make their own guns in the US.

 

[Cotton]

God dammit, I got timestamped.

 

[Cujo]

PSA Sabre-15 Forged 16" FN CHF CL M4A1 with Quad Rail and Vertical Grip Classic Rifle | Palmetto State Armory


I really like this one.

 

[Cotton]

PSA Sabre-15 Forged 16" FN CHF CL M4A1 with Quad Rail and Vertical Grip Classic Rifle | Palmetto State Armory


I really like this one.

Nice. Mine is a 16" as well. Shoots like a dream.

 

[roughneck266]

God dammit, I got timestamped.

Only because I love you...

 

[roughneck266]

PSA Sabre-15 Forged 16" FN CHF CL M4A1 with Quad Rail and Vertical Grip Classic Rifle | Palmetto State Armory


I really like this one.

If you plan on shooting it a lot, I would look for one with a single rail on top, with MOE, slots. It will be a lot more comfortable on your hand. The covered quad rails are really bulky feeling to me, and if you take the covers off those rails are very uncomfortable on your hands. If you just plan on plinking occasionally, or if you shoot with gloves on, then it won't really matter. That's a damned fine rifle all in all though.

 

[Plan9Misfit]

If anyone was considering buying a FN SCAR, buy one ASAP. FN is no longer producing the American version so new models will no longer be available.

 

[roughneck266]

Always wanted one, but I have never been able to talk myself into laying out that money. They're awesome, but I am not going into combat, so my AR's and AK's can do pretty much everything I need to do.

 

[Plan9Misfit]

Always wanted one, but I have never been able to talk myself into laying out that money. They're awesome, but I am not going into combat, so my AR's and AK's can do pretty much everything I need to do.

Same. And, I’m a southpaw, so rifles aren’t easy for us to use since very few are ambi. I love the SCAR, though. They’re just so fucking expensive.