help - The Firearms Forum

old semperfi · 01-01-2010, 09:41 PM

somebody please set me straight on a question i get all kinds of answers for.223 or 556 308 or 762 i have been told that these are all the same unless you reload. milatary brass can be used as long as max charge is lowered by 10% i do know and understand the milatary brass is thicker and case capacity is lowered. here is my question can 223 and 5.56 be shot in any rifle that is chambered for one or the other.same for 308 and 7.62 old semperfi

cakes · 01-02-2010, 12:26 AM

The short answer is yes. I wouldn't hesitate to switch between .223 and 5.56 or .308 and 7.62 as long as you are using a modern firearm that is in good working order.

I have never heard of a single person having problems from using both types of ammo. If anyone has, I'd sure like to hear about it.

TheGunClinger · 01-02-2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old semperfi

somebody please set me straight on a question i get all kinds of answers for.223 or 556 308 or 762 i have been told that these are all the same unless you reload. milatary brass can be used as long as max charge is lowered by 10% i do know and understand the milatary brass is thicker and case capacity is lowered. here is my question can 223 and 5.56 be shot in any rifle that is chambered for one or the other.same for 308 and 7.62 old semperfi

I was under the impression that if the weapon is chambered for 5.56 then you may use the .223 but if chambered for .223 then you shouldnt use the 5.56 due to the increased pressures of the 5.56. Dont know anything about the 308 though.
Here is another thread about it.http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/show...ight=5.56+.223

cakes · 01-02-2010, 09:04 AM

5.56 pressures are higher than .223.

.308 pressures are higher than 7.62.

So if you are concerned, you can still safely shoot .223 in a 5.56 and 7.62 in a .308.

I shoot 5.56 in my .223 guns all the time. And .223 in my 5.56 guns.

I shoot 7.62 in my .308 guns, but not the other way around. Not because I don't think it's safe, but because I'm cheap.

rocklinskier · 01-02-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakes

.308 pressures are higher than 7.62.

So if you are concerned, you can still safely....... 7.62 in a .308.

I shoot 7.62 in my .308 guns, but not the other way around. Not because I don't think it's safe, but because I'm cheap.

As I understand it:

Modern .308's were designed and built for higher pressure than 7.62 rifles.
.308 rounds are loaded to higher pressures than 7.62
If the gun doesn't say "308" don't shoot them. Any gun designated as .308 will take the NATO 7.62 x 51 safely as it is a lower pressure round.

It's a one way street though.

cakes · 01-02-2010, 09:38 AM

I wouldn't hesitate to fire .308 rounds in a modern 7.62 firearm that is in good condition. I would be hesitant to fire it in an old C&R gun.

01-01-2010, 09:41 PM	#1
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	help somebody please set me straight on a question i get all kinds of answers for.223 or 556 308 or 762 i have been told that these are all the same unless you reload. milatary brass can be used as long as max charge is lowered by 10% i do know and understand the milatary brass is thicker and case capacity is lowered. here is my question can 223 and 5.56 be shot in any rifle that is chambered for one or the other.same for 308 and 7.62 old semperfi -->

01-02-2010, 12:26 AM	#2
cakes V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Maine Posts: 230	Re: help The short answer is yes. I wouldn't hesitate to switch between .223 and 5.56 or .308 and 7.62 as long as you are using a modern firearm that is in good working order. I have never heard of a single person having problems from using both types of ammo. If anyone has, I'd sure like to hear about it. __________________ If at first you don't succeed, shoot, shoot again.

01-02-2010, 09:04 AM	#4
cakes V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Maine Posts: 230	Re: help 5.56 pressures are higher than .223. .308 pressures are higher than 7.62. So if you are concerned, you can still safely shoot .223 in a 5.56 and 7.62 in a .308. I shoot 5.56 in my .223 guns all the time. And .223 in my 5.56 guns. I shoot 7.62 in my .308 guns, but not the other way around. Not because I don't think it's safe, but because I'm cheap. __________________ If at first you don't succeed, shoot, shoot again.

01-02-2010, 09:38 AM	#6
cakes V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Maine Posts: 230	Re: help I wouldn't hesitate to fire .308 rounds in a modern 7.62 firearm that is in good condition. I would be hesitant to fire it in an old C&R gun. __________________ If at first you don't succeed, shoot, shoot again.