Hey there Guy's, I need some feedback/info, if you would. I JUST recently aquired approx 2500+ rounds of Malayasian 5.56 Ball M 193, and the same or more of 7.62X39. Been looking at the 'net for info and have basically figured out, you can shoot .223 in a 5.56, but not the other way around. A little up front info- I reload for .22K Hornet, .223, .257 AI, 7x57 and 30;06, so have various measuring/re loading tools available. My .223 is a Rugar MKII Target model,1:12 twist, wearing a Mueller Tac II 3 X 10 X 44? MilDot scope. I usually shoot 50gr Vmax from it, have never tried 55gr, which the M193 is. What do you feel the best option is, to be able to use this ammo? Pull the bullits and work up powder wise from a starting point to something thats accurate ( as I use it ), or something like a " wylde " chamber/throte Mod? In '95 this ammo sold for $102.00/820 rounds, amazing. Anyways, best option for this 5.56 ammo in my Rugar VT? Thanks, Al ps- looks like I need an SKS now too. Thanks Guys

I have shot some korean milsurp in a rem 788 with no problems.If you shoot coyotes with them be sure to aim for bone or they will run a looong way.

If it chambers, which I believe it will, shoot it and don't worry about it. Since it will be paper shooting, as ball ammo is illegal for hunting in MO, I would just have fun with it.

I can not give you absolute evidence regarding your source of ammo for the 223/5.56, but have heard that it is sometimes quite "hot" so to speak. Your Ruger 77 V is a very strong gun, no question, but have heard some less than favorable reports on the ammo you have, but may well be just stories. Many years ago it was suggested to me by exerienced shooters to try and stay w/ surplus ammo w/ NATO markings. Just food for thought.

martin

it'll work just fine. just don't expect to great accuracy.

there are websites that explain the diff. 556 will produce about 20000 more psi when shot in 223 chamber . call the manufacture of the rifle and ask them, as some 223 marked guns are designed to be safe w 556

Complex . Original 223 rem chambers had a shorter leade or throat compared to 556 NATO, which was teh culprit- the hotter 556 would be closer or even in teh lands when fired in a 223 rem chamber, causing pressure issues (maybe).

However, many/most perhaps all modern 223 chambers have hybrid throats, especially guns intended for heavier bullets and wearing barrels with faster twists (the standard 223 rem wore 1-12 or 1-14 tubes, while current 556 guns have 1-7 or 1-9.

As already mentioned, contact the manufactuerer and ask, or have a gunsmith cast and measure, a standard 223 chamber can be reamed (if not chromed) with a long throated finish reamer (Wylde, CLE etc) that is intended to accommodate more modern 223 ammo with more freebore/longer leade angles.

I'd like to see you hurt any modern bolt rifle factory chambered in 223 by chambering and firing any production 5.56Nato cartridge in it.

Remember that your typical bolt action sporting rifle is designed around a 308w(7.62x51 NATO) cartridge or a 30-06. the MUCH smaller cartridge results in a trrvial fraction of the bolt thrust and the radial forces required to brealk the thicker barrel walls? Difficult if not impossible to achieve.

I seem to recall a test where someone physically tried to blow up a Rem700 in 223Rem by progressively loading it hotter until something broke.

Other than brass flowing to an almost unbelievable degree into the bolt face, extractor groove and other places they never did "blow up the rifle", though they stopped short of loading a full case of bullseye behind a 70gr bullet...

To get the brass to flow like that required OVER
130,000psi and not all test firings at that level resulted in gas leakage, but they could pretty consistantly stuff the ejector plunger into the bolt face

no firing of any nato cartridge is gonna accomplish that kind of pressure.

As for M193? M193 is NOT loaded to the stiffer "NATO" standard, it is a 53gr ball projectile.

The issue is the longer (heavier) bullets with stiffer loadings to keep the velocity up NATO SS109 spec ammo.
that is the M855 spec ammo.

I'd shoot up the whole lot in my 223 Bolt gun without a single worry except burning out the barrel, but that's gonna happen eventually anyway and I do have Dan Lilja's phone number.

AD

When I was at the last Colt armorer school the colf factory rep. Said one in the same. Shoot 5.56 or 223 rounds in the colt rifles. I shoot them interchangeable.

I have one of the Ruger Target rifles and they will shoot the 5.56 rounds.

Look here it has it listed on the front page of the instruction manual.

Have fun!

The smith that put the 223 barrel on my M700 said do NOT shoot 556 in this gun. But I agree with Allen, the 556 probably can't hurt a strong bolt action although you may experience blown primers. If you really want to find out, tie your rifle down, put one up the spout and put a long string on the trigger and PULL. If the rifle is still useable you are all set.

Accuracy is going to be in the 4" @ 100yds. range, so why risk screwing up a good rifle by shooting that junk in it. The Colt AR-15 rifles are made to fire both 5.56 and .223 rounds, your Mark II is made for .223 only. Although very close, the two calibers are different. Anybody who says you can't blow up a small caliber rifle doesn't know what he's talking about. It has been done many times.

P.S. Remington 788's had an extremely long throat which is why one poster got away with shooting 5.56 in his 788. The Ruger does not have a long throat, at least none that I've ever seen did.

I've used that 5.56 ball in my 223 Savage tactical and my son's Tikka 223.
It chambered and shot OK.
It was not as accurate as handloads.
Same size boxes of about 800 0dd in bandoleers.
Good for thin skinned varmint shooting ( Roo's, brain shots).