.223 Wylde questions

[Lucky Scott]

Not sure where to post this, but I am wondering about the .223 Wylde and my AR's.
Recently, I started to try to upgrade an AR so I had something to shoot in between shooting my 7mm bolt gun.
I am reloading and using a single shot follower in the mag to let me taylor the rounds and load longer rounds that fit the chamber better. I am loading heavier projectiles (up to 80 gr.)
I have a upper that is a .223/5.56 with a 16 inch 1:7 twist.
I would like to get a better and longer barrel.
I am only shooting up to 600 yards.

I am not into competition, just getting the gun, and me, to shoot better groups.

I have been reading about .223 Wylde and it sounds interesting.

If I bought a upper in .223 Wylde will all my reloading equipment be comparable that I have now or do I have to buy .223 Wylde dies?
Do I have to buy special brass and/or projectiles?
What else makes it different?

[ar15barrels]

223 wylde is fully compatible with both 223 and 5.56 ammo.
All 3 use 223 dies as there are no 5.56 or 223 Wylde dies.

The differences amongst the 3 are primarily in the throat diameters and lengths.

http://ar15barrels.com/data/223-556.pdf

[Lucky Scott]

Thank you for your response Randall. I value your input and knowledge very much.

So if it is the same, I should be able to shoot regular factory .223 or 5.56 ammo?
Of course, I would measure optimum length to the lands and load a cartridge to that chamber, but if I wanted to I could just load a regular .223 round and fire it safely?

Is the .223 Wylde an improvement and does it help make the rifle a better target rifle?

[ar15barrels]

Thank you for your response Randall. I value your input and knowledge very much.

So if it is the same, I should be able to shoot regular factory .223 or 5.56 ammo?
Of course, I would measure optimum length to the lands and load a cartridge to that chamber, but if I wanted to I could just load a regular .223 round and fire it safely?

Is the .223 Wylde an improvement and does it help make the rifle a better target rifle?

223 wylde is an improvement from a 5.56.
Look at the chamber dimensions link I posted above.
It's basically the same CASE BODY dimensions as a 5.56, but with a tight throat like a 223.
The throat is made longer to be able to shoot the 80's at about 2.5" OAL when you single load.
Because of this longer throat, I talso happens to be able to shoot any 5.56 magazine length ammo, though most 5.56 ammo will not be particularly accurate as it is loaded with lower quality bullets than most match ammo.

[Lucky Scott]

Thanks again, it looks like something to look into. So far, everything sounds great.
I don't see any down side.

[traveler1952]

I have this on my Windham lower, It's shoots a lot better than I can.
Also can get it in a 20" now.

https://daytonatactical.com/products/18-upper-1x8-wylde-s-s-spiral-fluted-midlength-12-inch-keymod-rail-no-bcg-or-charging-handle

[milotrain]

There isn't any downside to the Wylde, but there may be chambers that do what you want to do better. The Wylde is the best compromise chamber, but it also happens to be very good at the compromise.

[Lucky Scott]

My long range rifle is a remington 700 in 7mm Remington Mag. The Ar is just something I like to shoot in between rounds of the 700. Plus, AR's are fun.....

So I don't plan on getting too crazy, but I think I would like to pick up a upper in .223 Wylde and try it out. Or rebarrel one of my current uppers.

[Lucky Scott]

"I have this on my Windham lower, It's shoots a lot better than I can.
Also can get it in a 20" now.

https://daytonatactical.com/products...harging-handle"


That looks like a good deal.

[Lucky Scott]

"but there may be chambers that do what you want to do better."


What would these chambers be?

[ocabj]

"but there may be chambers that do what you want to do better."


What would these chambers be?

If you're not going to shoot longer than magazine length (2.260") then you can get a custom chamber with a short throat so the jump to lands is reduced and optimize for the 77gr BTHP whether it's the SMK, Nosler CC, or the Lapua Scenar (my favorite 77gr).

[ar15barrels]

If you're not going to shoot longer than magazine length (2.260") then you can get a custom chamber with a short throat so the jump to lands is reduced and optimize for the 77gr BTHP whether it's the SMK, Nosler CC, or the Lapua Scenar (my favorite 77gr).

Basically, just a nice SAAMI 223 chamber...

[Lucky Scott]

"If you're not going to shoot longer than magazine length"

I am already reloading and shooting longer than magazine length. Using a single shot follower in the mag. So that is not an issue at all.

[Dogbite]

http://ar15barrels.com/data/223-556.pdf

Thank you -

[milotrain]

I am already reloading and shooting longer than magazine length. Using a single shot follower in the mag. So that is not an issue at all.

Many benchrest shooters design their chambers around the load they want to shoot. There are general considerations made about engagement of a selected bullet into the neck of a case and the understanding that a certain jump or jam is valuable for said bullet, a chamber's dimensions is dictated by these assumptions. Unless you are getting deep into the thick of it, the Wylde will do you well. The CLE chamber for example has a shorter throat so that it shoots mag length ammo well but still allows for 80gr bullets to be seated long. The Wylde has a longer throat than the CLE and will accommodate a larger bullet selection in a larger range of COALs but may not shoot lighter bullets at mag length as well as the CLE.