223 vs 5.56 in Mini-14

[Irag8er]

I was up at FS a while back and picked up a 200 rd. val. pk. of American Eagle Tactical 5.56 x45mm for my mini-14 chambered in 223 Since then I came across the very informative thread here concerning the 2 which stated that it was un-safe to fire 5.56 in a 223 chambered rifle. The manual that came with my Mini-14 Ranch rifle states the following:

"The Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifles are chambered for the .223 Remington (5.56mm) cartridge, The Ranch Rifle is designed to use either standard U.S. military or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice"

So ,my obvious question is the American Eagle 5.56x45mm safe to shoot thru my mini-14?

 

[ranger4-7]

Yes it is, as stated in the manual paragraph that you quoted.

 

[Skald]

ok, .223 is NOT the same as 5.56N ammo. .223 is loaded to LOWER pressures than a 5.56N ammo is. If your barrel says .223 then shoot just .223 out of it. If it is stamped 5.56N then you can shoot both out of it.

As I stated in another post:

Max chamber pressure for 5.56mm NATO spec is 62,366 psi.
Max chamber pressure for .223 Remington SAAMI spec is 55,000 psi

5.56mm NATO, .223 Wylde and Noveske chambers can handle the high pressure levels of 5.56mm NATO ammo just fine. The 5.56 Noveske Match Mod 0 chamber is similar to the .223 Wylde chamber but is better suited for full auto use versus the .223 Wylde.

SAAMI spec .223 Remington chambers can be dangerous if 5.56mm NATO ammo is used in them, especially in older guns. Typically, in ARs it isn't dangerous, but .223 Remington chambers usually won't run well at all with 5.56mm NATO pressure ammo. The rifles will typically have failures to extract, blown primers, which will sometimes lock up the gun or make it not be able to fire. Sometimes that primer that's been blown out of the casing ends up under the trigger in the lower receiver and can keep the trigger from camming down when the shooter pulls the trigger to fire the rifle and the rifle won't fire, I've seen worse where it gets stuck up between the bolt and barrel extension which was quite hard to get it cleared and safe to fire again.

Link to the info is here.

 

[cbrburns]

ok, .223 is NOT the same as 5.56N ammo. .223 is loaded to LOWER pressures than a 5.56N ammo is. If your barrel says .223 then shoot just .223 out of it. If it is stamped 5.56N then you can shoot both out of it.

My SP-1 is stamped .223, but it's also known that it can shoot 5.56N as well. Can't always depend on what's stamped.

 

[Billy2]

I would use either. But im kinda crazy!

 

[Bob P]

IIRC Ruger stamps their Mini-14 as .223 because it's a 'civilian' rifle and the .223 is the civilian cartridge when it's actually chambered for 5.56.

I know I read that someplace but I can't vouch for the accuracy as I can't recall WHERE I read it.

 

[Irag8er]

ok, .223 is NOT the same as 5.56N ammo. .223 is loaded to LOWER pressures than a 5.56N ammo is. If your barrel says .223 then shoot just .223 out of it. If it is stamped 5.56N then you can shoot both out of it.

As I stated in another post:



Link to the info is here.

Skald, thanks for your reply. I keep coming across the same info as you posted, but then in this forum http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/556-223-Ammunition-Chamber-Dimensions-t22582.html
I came across this:

Using commercial .223 cartridges in a 5.56-chambered rifle should work reliably, but generally will not be as accurate as when fired from a .223-chambered gun due to the excessive leade. [3] Using 5.56 mil-spec cartridges (such as the M855) in a .223-chambered rifle can lead to excessive wear and stress on the rifle and even be unsafe, and the SAAMI recommends against the practice.[4] Some commercial rifles marked as ".223 Remington" are in fact suited for 5.56 mm, such as many commercial AR-15 variants and the Ruger Mini-14, but the manufacturer should always be consulted to verify that this is acceptable before attempting it, and signs of excessive pressure (such as flattening or gas staining of the primers) should be looked for in the initial testing with 5.56 mm ammunition.

 

[lord1234]

Skald, thanks for your reply. I keep coming across the same info as you posted, but then in this forum http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/556-223-Ammunition-Chamber-Dimensions-t22582.html
I came across this:

Using commercial .223 cartridges in a 5.56-chambered rifle should work reliably, but generally will not be as accurate as when fired from a .223-chambered gun due to the excessive leade. [3] Using 5.56 mil-spec cartridges (such as the M855) in a .223-chambered rifle can lead to excessive wear and stress on the rifle and even be unsafe, and the SAAMI recommends against the practice.[4] Some commercial rifles marked as ".223 Remington" are in fact suited for 5.56 mm, such as many commercial AR-15 variants and the Ruger Mini-14, but the manufacturer should always be consulted to verify that this is acceptable before attempting it, and signs of excessive pressure (such as flattening or gas staining of the primers) should be looked for in the initial testing with 5.56 mm ammunition.

which is generally cheaper? 5.56 NATO or .223? also...if anyone wants to pm me where it is cheaper, i'd much appreciate.

 

[Skald]

5.56 and .223 are the same caliber BUT different. The difference is the pressure each one produces when the round is fired. A .223 chambered barrel CAN shoot the 5.56N round but your now hoping the barrel can withstand the increased pressure for what it wasn't stamped for.

I view it like the whole .357 Magnum and .38 Spl. I can shoot the .38 spl out of both but the .357 out of one.

YMMV, but in the end its your gun and finances on the line not mine.

 

[lord1234]

5.56 and .223 are the same caliber BUT different. The difference is the pressure each one produces when the round is fired. A .223 chambered barrel CAN shoot the 5.56N round but your now hoping the barrel can withstand the increased pressure for what it wasn't stamped for.

I view it like the whole .357 Magnum and .38 Spl. I can shoot the .38 spl out of both but the .357 out of one.

YMMV, but in the end its your gun and finances on the line not mine.

i called my manufacturer...they said it was chambered in 5.56N

 

[Bob P]

i called my manufacturer...they said it was chambered in 5.56N

Politics again. They call it .223 to make it more 'friendly'.

 

[jpattersonnh]

Politics again. They call it .223 to make it more 'friendly'.

Hey, so be it! If it keeps it off the "bad" list in some states, or commiwealths who cares!! Irag8er, if you happen to be heading up 93 in NH let me know. I have some ammo for you to try out. (Gotta keep you guys south of the boarder supplied)

 

[Irag8er]

Just got off the phone with Ruger. They stated it is Military chambered, but stamped 223 for civilian sales. So I guess that is what you were referring to Bobp. Guys, thank you all for your replies. Going green to support a board full of folks like you willing to share their knowledge is the best money one can spend. To all who ain't green yet, do it, DO IT NOW!

 

[Bob P]

Just got off the phone with Ruger. They stated it is Military chambered, but stamped 223 for civilian sales. So I guess that is what you were referring to Bobp. Guys, thank you all for your replies. Going green to support a board full of folks like you willing to share their knowledge is the best money one can spend. To all who ain't green yet, do it, DO IT NOW!

You're welcome! Now get out there and buy a bunch of 5.56 battle packs and reap the savings

I love battle packs - you don't have to worry about moisture etc.

 

[SKS Ray]

I have a book around here somewhere that mentions early Stainless Mini14s having poorly heat treated receivers. Serial numbers are below 182-51929 and only one proof mark (an R stamp in a circle).
Ruger will fix these rifles if you send them to them.

Just posting this as a heads up for people.

 

[Fixxah]

The upper of my AR says Multi Caliber. I can shoot all.

 

[Mike1911]

I called Ruger and ask, "can I fire 5.56mm NATO ammo out of my Mini-14 safely"?

The woman said hold on as she asked someone else. She got back on the line and said YES, you can use it.

I also asked the same question on the Ruger forum and I got the same answer.

 

[bpm990d]

If you take a true .223 chamber and fire a lot of ammo through it, the throat will burn out and move forward and you will have a throat that should be fine with 5.56mm ammo.

B

 

[Carguy]

Call Ruger back and get it in writing.

I've heard it before too but I trust that if the barrel is stamped 223 then only fire 223...if it says 5.56 then you can shoot either. The 5.56 may be the same bullet but it is not the same load. Be careful. If Ruger claims it is stamped 223 just for marketing purposes then they should have no problem putting it in writing so if indeed you do damage your rifle it was on their direction and they should fix it for free!

 

[SKS Ray]

Call Ruger back and get it in writing.

I've heard it before too but I trust that if the barrel is stamped 223 then only fire 223...if it says 5.56 then you can shoot either. The 5.56 may be the same bullet but it is not the same load. Be careful. If Ruger claims it is stamped 223 just for marketing purposes then they should have no problem putting it in writing so if indeed you do damage your rifle it was on their direction and they should fix it for free!

I wouldn't worry about it, Ruger stands firm behind all their claims and repairs.

When they came out with Ruger .204 M77 rifles, original barrels weren't made to accept such a round and were eventually ruined. Ruger stood behind their product and re-barreled many rifles with a better design.

The Ruger Mini 14 was designed for use as a military rifle and was originally chambered for a military round.

 

[Neuro]

for anyone reading this thread now, Ruger has confirmed 5.56x45 ammo can be used in the mini 14, EXCEPT the target version.