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Centerfire Rifles - Semiautomatic or Gas Operated Centerfire rifles, carbines and other gas operated rifles.

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  #1  
Old 02-07-2013, 2:53 AM
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Default Changing from .223 to 5.56, whats involved?

Back when I built my AR, Winchester White was plentiful and cheap at my local Walmart. So when I ordered my upper kit, having really never run 5.56, I chose .223 as my chamber.

Now I'm regretting the choice, not only because its easier to get 5.56 but because I'm limited by not being able to run it. So I'm looking at making the change. What's involved? Barrel swap obviously but do I need to change out the BCG?
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  #2  
Old 02-07-2013, 2:59 AM
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Damn, Google must be down again.
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  #3  
Old 02-07-2013, 3:09 AM
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I dont think so, i think its just the chamber itself
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  #4  
Old 02-07-2013, 3:21 AM
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Just the barrel.
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  #5  
Old 02-07-2013, 3:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TKM View Post
Damn, Google must be down again.
Time to shut down Calguns, turns out there's Google for firearm info.

Thanks guys.
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  #6  
Old 02-07-2013, 3:52 AM
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Adco Firearms can ream your barrel to work with 5.56 for about $30

Last edited by SpeedTribe; 02-07-2013 at 3:56 AM..
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  #7  
Old 02-07-2013, 3:55 AM
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Originally Posted by SpeedTribe View Post
Adco Firearms can ream your barrel to work with 5.56 for about $30
That's great info, thanks! Is it considered safe as far as the integrity of the barrel? I'm looking to change configurations anyway (lose the huge flash hider) but it would be nice to be able to still keep this one around for a secondary build.

Last edited by kick Z tail out; 02-07-2013 at 6:27 AM..
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  #8  
Old 02-07-2013, 3:57 AM
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Get it rechambered too .223 Wylde. Shoot both. Adco would do it.
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  #9  
Old 02-07-2013, 3:58 AM
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Wylde chamber. Shoot both like me.......

I mean really there is such little difference I have never even paid attention to what caliber it is and all my guns shoot 223/556 without any issues at all.
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  #10  
Old 02-07-2013, 5:00 AM
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Most AR's are chambered that way out of the box. I would suspect yours will already do the same. If in doubt, have a smith check it out.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kick Z tail out View Post
Back when I built my AR, Winchester White was plentiful and cheap at my local Walmart. So when I ordered my upper kit, having really never run 5.56, I chose .223 as my chamber.

Now I'm regretting the choice, not only because its easier to get 5.56 but because I'm limited by not being able to run it. So I'm looking at making the change. What's involved? Barrel swap obviously but do I need to change out the BCG?
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  #11  
Old 02-07-2013, 5:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gschoelles View Post
Most AR's are chambered that way out of the box. I would suspect yours will already do the same. If in doubt, have a smith check it out.
this, is your barrel marked? you should be able to shoot 5.56 out it also. but as stated above, if you aren't sure check it out.
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  #12  
Old 02-07-2013, 5:51 AM
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I was unaware that thry made AR kits cambered for .223 only. Post the kit you got for us maybe someone can better tell you if you cant find any barrel markings.

You may have a .223 wylde chamber already.

Last edited by EvolutionGSR; 02-07-2013 at 5:54 AM..
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  #13  
Old 02-07-2013, 6:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glock7 View Post
this, is your barrel marked? you should be able to shoot 5.56 out it also. but as stated above, if you aren't sure check it out.
This. Barrel should be marked. But anyways maybe you can do the old switcheroo and sell the .223 barrel and buy a 5.56 barrel.
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  #14  
Old 02-07-2013, 6:21 AM
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It was a Model 1 Sales upper, which is an ER Shaw barrel. When ordered I had to choose .223 or 5.56 chamber.

When I searched the FAQ at AR15.com last week, ER Shaw wasn't mentioned as a known Wylde chamber. The fact that I had to choose kind of indicates to me that it isn't... Just want to say thanks again for the help and responses.

Last edited by kick Z tail out; 02-07-2013 at 6:25 AM..
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  #15  
Old 02-07-2013, 9:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kick Z tail out View Post
Time to shut down Calguns, turns out there's Google for firearm info.

Thanks guys.
Go here... http://lmgtfy.com/?q=5.56+v+.223

You are welcome.
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  #16  
Old 02-07-2013, 10:41 AM
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25 grains of varget, 80 grain SMK, Win brass, Fed 205M primer, and 1x8" twist
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  #17  
Old 02-07-2013, 12:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -hanko View Post
Go here... http://lmgtfy.com/?q=5.56+v+.223

You are welcome.
That ar15armory.com article pretty much explains it all
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  #18  
Old 02-07-2013, 12:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -hanko View Post
Go here... http://lmgtfy.com/?q=5.56+v+.223

You are welcome.
That's cute but none of those really answered my question about the BCG. I already have read a few of those, BTW, which is why I would like to change my setup in the first place.
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  #19  
Old 02-07-2013, 12:20 PM
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bcg is for both 223 and 556. so its fine
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  #20  
Old 02-07-2013, 12:27 PM
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just load your own ammo

Your current BCG is fine. The only difference between a 223 and 5.56 chambered ar-15s is the barrel leade/throat where the round seats. For 5.56 the barrel leade is almost twice as long as for 223. The barrel profiles (diameter) are identical. Just ream your barrel out for 556. Its an easy process. 556 loaded rounds will already probably fit in your barrel, the leade/throat just has to be lengthened for the 5.56 rounds
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  #21  
Old 02-07-2013, 2:19 PM
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Read up for yourself and decide or listen to every opinion posted

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/5-56-vs-223/
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  #22  
Old 02-07-2013, 7:11 PM
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Default One of the best articles on .223 vs. 5.56 I have seen.

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Originally Posted by Sofatactical View Post
Read up for yourself and decide or listen to every opinion posted

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/5-56-vs-223/
My understanding has always been that there is little difference between .223 and 5.56. Most of the difference lies in how the pressure is measured vs. actual differences in pressure. I don't see any reason why you couldn't or shouldn't shoot 5.56 in a .223 chamber. I used .223 and 5.56 interchangeably in my .223 chambered mini-14 for 30 years and never had a problem.
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  #23  
Old 02-07-2013, 7:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyGunner study
.223 Remington – Because it’s the only SAAMI standardized cartridge, it’s the only one you’re likely to find used in rifles produced by major manufacturers. I would prefer any of the other three to “regular .223.” However, you will not be at a huge disadvantage as long as you buy mostly .223 ammo. As stated above, you are not likely to encounter major problems with limited amounts of 5.56 in a .223 rifle fired out of necessity or in an emergency. Doing so at a high volume for the long term is probably not a good idea. In terms of a carbine-style AR-15, I see absolutely no reason to purchase one with a .223 Remington chamber.
Get a new barrel, or have it reamed to .223 Wylde or dont do anything if you dont shoot alot.
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  #24  
Old 02-07-2013, 8:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captbilly View Post
I used .223 and 5.56 interchangeably in my .223 chambered mini-14 for 30 years and never had a problem.
That's because the Mini actually has a 5.56 chamber.
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