223 vs 5.56: A Quick Comparison

The difference between 223 vs 5.56 is mentioned all over the internet. However, the sad part is that most of the information provided is either wrong or misguides the reader and does not answer the question. So today, let's discuss the real differences between the two.

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223 vs 5.56: Which Do You Need?

The significant difference between the two is that 5.56 has a higher pressure level, which runs at just about 58,000 psi. However, a 223 Remington runs at approximately 55,000 psi.

The Basics

Both the terms 223 and 5.56 refer to the caliber of the rifle. The 5.56 started off as a military cartridge in 1950 and was technically called 5.56x45mm NATO. However, by the 1960s, Remington decided to release a much similar cartridge, the 223.

Since the release of the second cartridge, people have had difficulties in determining the difference between the two. However, due to a lot of research, you can now find the answer to this on many platforms.

223 vs 5.56: Measuring Pressure

There are various ways to measure pressure; the oldest form of doing that is the copper crusher method. In this method, a test barrel would have a hole drilled in it. After this, a small copper cylinder had to be over the hole. A round would be fired to hit the copper cylinder, and by doing so, the copper cylinder would compress. A measurement of the cylinder's length before and after would determine the peak pressure.

This is known as the copper units of pressure but is now more commonly known as PSI. Through this method, measuring the difference in the pressure of 5.56 and 223 made it easy to conclude that the 5.56 has a much higher PSI than the 223.

This is the most significant difference between the two as one has more power than the other.

223 vs 5.56: Ammunition

Both ammunitions have a different look, and you'll notice the difference if you put the two side by side. Here are the two significant differences between the two ammunitions:

• On the case rim, a “223” is stamped on the 223 Remington brass, whereas the 5.56 NATO brass may only have a date, initials (Ex: FC), and one or two more symbols.
• On the case rim, you'll also notice that the 5.56 military ammunition will have a crimp around the primer pocket. However, not the cases hand loaded in the civilian market.

Issues with the Differences

Since both are cartridges, the primary issue that comes with these differences is that when firing a 5.56 NATO cartridge in a rifle chambered for 223 Rem. Due to a more extended throat of the NATO chamber, this combination will cause a 223 chambered weapon to run at 10,000 psi higher than its usual 55,000 psi. This is most certainly not safe as this can result in harming the operator or even rifle.

223 vs 5.56: Similarities

As they both have numerous differences, they also have a bunch of similarities, which is generally the reason why there is confusion when comparing the two. Here are a few similarities that you might notice between them:

• Both have the same external case dimensions. However, shoulder transition may be of a different radius.
• The length of the cartage is the same.
• Same case trim-to length
• Initially crafted for 55-grain bullets.
• They both use a small rifle-size primer.

Watch this video from Gavintoobe as he talks about the facts and myths about the .223 and 5.56:

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We hope to have answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding this topic!

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