223 or 556 NATO Ammo to use

[Cliffmf]

Hello - I have recently purchased a Springfield AR-15 (Saint M LOK B-5), and want to take it to the firing range, but am concerned about the correct ammo to use. When I purchased it at Cabela's, it mentions 223 Remington/556 NATO. Near the muzzle of the barrel is 556 NATO 1/8 stamped on it, but I am reading stories about differences between the 223/556, with the possibility of incorrectly using 556, can possibly cause problems due to excessive PSI. Is the safe thing to do, is for me to use 223 Remington? This is my first AR-15.

I have several 12LR rifles that I have used to target practice, and inherited an SKS from my brother, so I am going to sit my AR-15 aside and go the firing range without it.

Should I use the 223, or is 556 NATO okay for me to use? Any guidance or feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Annihilator]

You can use both safely in your AR, you can shoot .223 in a 5.56 gun, but you can’t shoot 5.56 in a .223 gun, like a bolt action rifle.

 

[wolfpack076]

You're good to go with either as long as its stamped 556 Nato. Greetings from Pennsylvania....

 

[jones3]

556 is fine to use in your Springfield AR the preasure difference between 223 and 556 is not that great, it is stamped on the barrel ( 556 ) you will be fine. Have fun throw some lead down range.

 

[jones3]

And what Annihlator says

 

[Cliffmf]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. 556 it is!

 

[jones3]

Just finished up on a new 556 build my self BCM Recce-14 BFH Barrel MK-2 Upper Warcomp flash hider Aimpoint Pro 3X magnifier

 

[BET7]

Hello - I have recently purchased a Springfield AR-15 (Saint M LOK B-5), and want to take it to the firing range, but am concerned about the correct ammo to use. When I purchased it at Cabela's, it mentions 223 Remington/556 NATO. Near the muzzle of the barrel is 556 NATO 1/8 stamped on it, but I am reading stories about differences between the 223/556, with the possibility of incorrectly using 556, can possibly cause problems due to excessive PSI. Is the safe thing to do, is for me to use 223 Remington? This is my first AR-15.

I have several 12LR rifles that I have used to target practice, and inherited an SKS from my brother, so I am going to sit my AR-15 aside and go the firing range without it.

Should I use the 223, or is 556 NATO okay for me to use? Any guidance or feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

As mentioned, if the barrel is stamped 5.56, you can use either .223 Rem or 5.56 Nato. Also, if you come across an AR barrel that specifies .223 Wylde, you can also fire either .223 Rem or 5.56 Nato. You may already be aware of how an AR works, but I find the linked article and especially the video at the end, to be excellent explaining how it all works. Happy shooting and welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania.

How An AR-15 Works - The Mag Life

Have you ever watched your AR-15 rifle operate from the inside? Neither have we. YouTuber Matt Rittman bares it all in this awesome animation.

gunmagwarehouse.com

 

[Bear007]

As mentioned, if the barrel is stamped 5.56, you can use either .223 Rem or 5.56 Nato. Also, if you come across an AR barrel that specifies .223 Wylde, you can also fire either .223 Rem or 5.56 Nato. You may already be aware of how an AR works, but I find the linked article and especially the video at the end, to be excellent explaining how it all works. Happy shooting and welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania.

How An AR-15 Works - The Mag Life

Have you ever watched your AR-15 rifle operate from the inside? Neither have we. YouTuber Matt Rittman bares it all in this awesome animation.

gunmagwarehouse.com

Excellent video!