Is 5.56 Bigger than 223 Ammo?
When it comes to ammunition, there are many different calibers and sizes to choose from. Two of the most popular and widely used calibers are 5.56x45mm and.223 Remington. While they may seem similar, they are not exactly the same thing. In this article, we will explore the differences between 5.56x45mm and.223 Remington ammunition, and answer the question: Is 5.56 bigger than 223 ammo?
What is 5.56x45mm Ammunition?
5.56x45mm is a type of rifle cartridge that is used in many military and civilian firearms. It is a rimless, bottleneck cartridge that is designed to be used in semi-automatic and select-fire rifles. The 5.56x45mm cartridge has a case length of 45.7mm and a bullet diameter of 5.56mm. It is commonly used in firearms such as the M16 and M4 rifles, which are used by the military and law enforcement agencies around the world.
What is.223 Remington Ammunition?
.223 Remington is a type of rifle cartridge that is designed for use in bolt-action and semi-automatic rifles. It is a rimless, straight-walled cartridge that is similar to the 5.56x45mm cartridge, but it has a slightly shorter case length and a slightly smaller bullet diameter. The.223 Remington cartridge has a case length of 40.7mm and a bullet diameter of 5.56mm. It is commonly used in firearms such as the AR-15 and bolt-action rifles, which are popular among civilian shooters.
Key Differences Between 5.56x45mm and.223 Remington Ammunition
While 5.56x45mm and.223 Remington ammunition may seem similar, there are some key differences between the two. Here are some of the main differences:
- Case length: 5.56x45mm ammunition has a longer case length than.223 Remington ammunition. The 5.56x45mm cartridge has a case length of 45.7mm, while the.223 Remington cartridge has a case length of 40.7mm.
- Bullet diameter: Both 5.56x45mm and.223 Remington ammunition have a bullet diameter of 5.56mm. However, the 5.56x45mm cartridge has a slightly larger bullet diameter than the.223 Remington cartridge.
- Overall length: The overall length of 5.56x45mm ammunition is slightly longer than the overall length of.223 Remington ammunition. The 5.56x45mm cartridge has an overall length of 57.5mm, while the.223 Remington cartridge has an overall length of 52.5mm.
- Muzzle velocity: The muzzle velocity of 5.56x45mm ammunition is slightly higher than the muzzle velocity of.223 Remington ammunition. The 5.56x45mm cartridge has a muzzle velocity of around 3,000 ft/s, while the.223 Remington cartridge has a muzzle velocity of around 2,800 ft/s.
Is 5.56 Bigger than 223 Ammo?
Now that we have looked at the key differences between 5.56x45mm and.223 Remington ammunition, we can answer the question: Is 5.56 bigger than 223 ammo?
The answer is yes, 5.56x45mm ammunition is slightly larger than.223 Remington ammunition. The 5.56x45mm cartridge has a longer case length and a slightly larger bullet diameter than the.223 Remington cartridge. However, the difference between the two is relatively small, and many firearms can use either type of ammunition without any issues.
Table: Comparison of 5.56x45mm and.223 Remington Ammunition
| 5.56x45mm | .223 Remington | |
|---|---|---|
| Case length | 45.7mm | 40.7mm |
| Bullet diameter | 5.56mm | 5.56mm |
| Overall length | 57.5mm | 52.5mm |
| Muzzle velocity | around 3,000 ft/s | around 2,800 ft/s |
Conclusion
In conclusion, while 5.56x45mm and.223 Remington ammunition may seem similar, they are not exactly the same thing. The 5.56x45mm cartridge has a longer case length and a slightly larger bullet diameter than the.223 Remington cartridge. However, the difference between the two is relatively small, and many firearms can use either type of ammunition without any issues. If you are unsure which type of ammunition to use in your firearm, it is always best to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or seek advice from a qualified firearms dealer.
