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Ask Ian: .223 vs 5.56 and "Military Grade Ammo" (ad-free) (Patreon)

Published:
2022-12-22 12:00:04
Imported:
2026-06
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From Michal on Patreon:

"Can you talk about difference between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO? Or in more general terms about possibility of using military grade ammo in civilian rifles. I heard everything from 'it will explode' to 'it will work normally'."

The short answer is that the difference between .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO is immaterial to most people. It's better the use .223 in .223 chambers in the long run, but really not a big deal. There is an excellent article on this written by Andrew Tuohy here: https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/5-56-vs-223/

As for military grade ammunition, it is really no different than civilian packaged ammunition. Some folks with minimal firearms experience have the notion that commercial ammunition is somehow derated in quality or capability compared to military ammunition, and this is simply not true.

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Ask Ian: .223 vs 5.56 and "Military Grade Ammo" (ad-free)

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com From Michal on Patreon: "Can you talk about difference between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO? Or in more general terms about possibility of using military grade ammo in civilian rifles. I heard everything from 'it will explode' to 'it will work normally'." The short answer is that the difference between .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO is immaterial to most people. It's better the use .223 in .223 chambers in the long run, but really not a big deal. There is an excellent article on this written by Andrew Tuohy on the LuckyGunner blog which I can't link to in a YouTube description. As for military grade ammunition, it is really no different than civilian packaged ammunition. Some folks with minimal firearms experience have the notion that commercial ammunition is somehow derated in quality or capability compared to military ammunition, and this is simply not true. Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

Comments

Sonny Hughes

Having worked in the defense industry for a very long time, I can certainly attest to the fact that "military grade" does most often mean "built by the lowest bidder."

Mike DePolis

Thank you for shedding light on the truth of this. I've had this discussion with several people that held the misconceptions you talked about in here. You live up to your nickname again!

Anonymous

Sometimes the military ammunition has crimped primers or primer and bullet sealants that are not usually found in civilian ammunition.

Jerry Harkins

Guess my stockpile of old world AK ammo isn’t worth anymore than the regular stuff, damn. I’ll let the stalkers know…

David K. Jernigan

Then there is the 38 auto, 38 super, 38 super+ saga where the 38 super keeps getting a name change with no change to the cartridge in attempt to prevent people from shooting it in guns chambered in 38 automatic.

David K. Jernigan

Surplus ammo made for sub machine guns is allegedly loaded to higher pressures, or has harder primer cups.

EyeBall

While it is amazing that this question keeps arising, your discussion regarding SAAMI standard versus US military development is insightful.

Daniel Ketchum

I thought some of the new military cartridges (M855A1, I think there may have been another too?) was higher pressure and known for breaking bolts and wearing out barrels particularly quickly. I agree that typical M193/M855 spec stuff is fine in anything.

Guido Schriewer

7,62x54R would be a great example. as 44-40 or 45colt with handguns. on old guns. 223/556 is much newer, of course. right caliber for gun is a jungle for newbies though. absolutely.

Robert Rowe
>>98041575

Unless it's a cost plus contract for a USN ship or USAF aerospace system... Then it's built by the best connected contractors at the highest price + "creative accounting" over run co$ts. If it's for the army, low bid for anything actually ISSUED. For blue sky weapons systems, development goes to same class as big USN/USAF go fast stuff- then, a few billion$ in sunk development co$its later, cancel that program and issue those guys a trapdoor Springfield or such. If it's for the USMC, they can £u¿¡ng hold a bake sale or ask their mom.

Michal

Thanks for answering my question!

Reed Gregory

I’ve heard a bunch of crazy views about this subject even in gun shops

JacksonCZ

MilSprec = low bidder At least it did when I was in the Navy Disheartening when it's on the life jackets

Derek Putley
>>98050428

My personal experience with British issue 9mm ammunition was that it seemed to be loaded hotter than standard commercial 9mm, unless it was stamped 'pistol use only' or words to that effect.

Finn Calmer Jessen
>>98050428

Same with danish AMA 9mm. It is loaded for submachine gun use, and should not be used in handguns. In the danish Home Guard we were prohibited from shooting AMA in the '80s. Swedish ammo was bought for pistol use.