I have done a search, and I am aware that the 223 variants are around. I just could not find a definitive answer. I am aware of the Ruger PR. The only question is whether there is a good factory gun, in addition to the Ruger, that can safely shoot 5.56? Why, because I have stacks of 5.56 that I use with my ARs and would rather use that same ammo, as I have very nice 77 grain ammo that I can feed it.
- Thread starter pnorris
- Start date
What will it be used for?
I’ve got a 700 with an AICS and it’s a decent shooter. not gods gift to the world or anything like that...
Tikka would be the only one I know of. Tikka uses a cip chamber instead of saami. Different pressure ratings. Otherwise a good quality bolt gun should be just fine with 5.56 ammo.
Tikka.... very nice actions... got two of em, not in 556.
I believe I've read here before about the Mossberg MVP. Not sure of the exact model, but they offer a chassis. It says it's chambered 5.56. I think it was a 7 twist too. People said the trigger left a little to be desired and that the bolt seemed loose when cycling, but they seemed to be decent shooters.
Could be a low cost option if you find a used one. I started looking into these but decided to Remage an old 204 Ruger i had.
Good luck and i hope this helped. Keep us updated with whatever you do. And post pics when you do. Gun porn is always good.
Could be a low cost option if you find a used one. I started looking into these but decided to Remage an old 204 Ruger i had.
Good luck and i hope this helped. Keep us updated with whatever you do. And post pics when you do. Gun porn is always good.
I have a Tikka Sporter T3x with the 1:8 twist 24" barrel topped with a 2nd gen Nightforce Atacr. I shoot Prime 77gr almost exclusively and take it out to 1000 yards on a regular basis on less windy days.
Do you shoot 5.56 in the Tikka? I have several thousand rounds of 77 Grain mag tech Hpbt that is very accurate in my knights armament ARs. I enjoy shooting a bolt gun as well, and thus, I’m looking for something where I can use the same ammo.
I'm sorry, I misread your post. Yes, the Prime I shoot through my T3x Sporter is 77gr .223. I have Black Hills 5.56 77gr OTM I shoot through my two AR's with 1:7 Twist barrels, but have not shot them in the Tkka. I have used Prime exclusively in it as it has shot incredibly well through the Sporter from the start.
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I've shot hundreds of 5.56 rounds through 223 bolt actions. Remington 700. Ruger 77 varmint. Never had a problem. Not one. I'm confused over what the issue is. Yes 5.56 chamber is slightly differnt and slightly higher pressure but never caused any problems.
Moose-
The neck on the 5.56 is significantly longer than .223 rem. If you have a rifle with a .223 chamber cut to minimum dimensions that longer 5.56 brass neck will potentially jam into the freebore. With the already higher chamber pressures, and the casing not having room to expand and release the bullet there's a serious risk of an explosion.
This being said virtually every barrel/reamer manufacturer makes .223 chambers with long necks to account for this possibility. Still it's important to verify if a .223 chamber can or can not safely handle 5.56.
The neck on the 5.56 is significantly longer than .223 rem. If you have a rifle with a .223 chamber cut to minimum dimensions that longer 5.56 brass neck will potentially jam into the freebore. With the already higher chamber pressures, and the casing not having room to expand and release the bullet there's a serious risk of an explosion.
This being said virtually every barrel/reamer manufacturer makes .223 chambers with long necks to account for this possibility. Still it's important to verify if a .223 chamber can or can not safely handle 5.56.
The Tikka chamber is CIP. CIP does not differentiate between 223 and 5.56 chamber. It’s good to go as are the CIP CZ rifles.
Damn, I've always known that 5.56 ammo in a .223 chamber is very risky and could cause some sort of accident due to overpressure. Now I'm learning some run 5.56 ammo in .223 chambers. How do I know if mine can take it? It's a '93 Winchester 70 with its original barrel.
I have to call BS on your suggestion about the 5.56 neck being longer than the .223! Check the link below for history and case dimension differences.
<https://ultimatereloader.com/2018/08/05/223-vs-5-56-facts-and-myths/>
Ken-
Good article, I may be totally wrong in my statement above. I could be parroting misinformation I picked up somewhere.
I do know from personal experience that when processing brass I find that 5.56 brass often has longer necks than .223. I suppose that could be related to the larger chamber and higher pressure leading to brass flow, but on once fired brass it seems excessive.
From Saami
saami.org
Could relate to the issue with the tracer ammo mentioned in Gavins article.
Good article, I may be totally wrong in my statement above. I could be parroting misinformation I picked up somewhere.
I do know from personal experience that when processing brass I find that 5.56 brass often has longer necks than .223. I suppose that could be related to the larger chamber and higher pressure leading to brass flow, but on once fired brass it seems excessive.
From Saami
Faqs - SAAMI
saami.org Could relate to the issue with the tracer ammo mentioned in Gavins article.
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Thanks for the update! I would suggest that perhaps the 5.56 ammo might need more attention for trim length when reloading.Ken-
Good article, I may be totally wrong in my statement above. I could be parroting misinformation I picked up somewhere.
I do know from personal experience that when processing brass I find that 5.56 brass often has longer necks than .223. I suppose that could be related to the larger chamber and higher pressure leading to brass flow, but on once fired brass it seems excessive.
From Saami
Faqs - SAAMI
Could relate to the issue with the tracer ammo mentioned in Gavins article.
The case size and lengths for both are the same.Millions of rounds of once fire 5.56 brass has been loaded as .223 with zero issues. If you are finding 5.56 brass that is longer it is because it stretched when fired.
The only difference in the two is the length of the chamber throat to the lands. The brass is the same according to the Hornady manual for both case trim length and COL.
The only difference in the two is the length of the chamber throat to the lands. The brass is the same according to the Hornady manual for both case trim length and COL.
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FWIW, I've had problems with 10 to 20% failure to fire with (IIRC) Hornady 5.56 in my Tikka T3 sporter. No issues with any .223 ammo and no pressure signs with 5.56. All FTF went with a second hit and I'm assuming it's just a harder primer to prevent slam fires with some semi-autos.
Accuracy has been good to exceptional with everything I've tried in it.
Accuracy has been good to exceptional with everything I've tried in it.
Codie, you seem to have some insight. I really do like the Tikka rifles, however, I don't understand why these manufacturers will not give their blessing. There appears to be no manufactured BA rifles of good quality that spec being able to shoot 5.56. The Tikka seems the way to go, however, I just want to be careful for my own safety and that I don't ruin a good rifle. Yes, I could shoot only 223, however, the idea was to be able to use the nice ammo that I have and which I can regularly get. Heck, my KAC Mod 1 LPR can put 20 rounds in a 1 inch group. I don't want to buy a bolt that is less accurate. Any additional insight?
If your shooting factory ammo that is loaded to 2.260” or less the Tikka would be my first choice. If your shooting hand loaded ammo with a cartridge overall length of 2.35” or greater then a Ruger precision rifle or a custom build on a origin would be my choice. As far as safely shooting your current 5.56 ammo in a TIKKA rifle I would have no problem with it whatsoever. In the unlikely event you have a overcharged load I would feel much better with the bolt action Tikka versus your ar rifle.
The difference is the 5.56 chamber (not rounds) will have an extra thou or two clearance around the body and it will have a wider and longer freebore to accommodate the heavier 77gr bullets that are typically used in it without jamming intot he lands and spiking pressure.
A 223 chamber is a bit tighter and has less freebore, a wylde chamber increases that freebore to basically be a halfway between the 223 and the 5.56 chambers.
As such, the tighter specs may make the 5.56 a nonstarter in a 223, especially a well cut 223. But a factory rem 700 has such a sloppy long throat that I bet its probably got more wiggle room than a good proper 5.56 chamber, theres just no guarantee of that which is why you wont get any manufactures saying its alright... because it could not be.
That said, I highly doubt any 5.56 ammo is what I would ever call "nice" or good. Maybe "not complete shit" would be a better term for what you think you have.
