Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting 5.56 in a mini 14?

[p-Bar]

My friend learned of the pressure differences of the 556 and 223 he stated to me though that you can shoot 556 in a mini 14 I said back to him only if the barrel is stamped for it . Haven't had time to pull mine out . What say you.

 

[BarryG]

My Mini 14 owners manual states specifically that you can shoot both through the Mini (and as far as I know the minis have always been able to shoot both). However that does not hold true with all 5. 56/223. If I recall you can shoot 223 out of any 5. 56 just not the other way around. The leade (the first part of the barrel before the rifling starts) in a 5. 56 chambered rifle is almost double that of a 223 chambered rifle. So a 5. 56 round in a 223 chambered rifle has the potential to be long enough for the bullet to be positioned in the barrel rifling before it is fired causing a potentially significant pressure increase which could do any number of things.



So you can shoot 223 in 5. 56 but shouldnt shoot 5. 56 in a 223. There has been some debate over the years as to the real danger of it but SAMMI seems to agree with it.



The 223 Wylde chambering is safe for both. I am unsure if the Mini is stamped with that designation or not but again my owners manual specifically states you can shoot both out of it.

 

[The patriot]

The mini is a military style rifle so I'd assume you could, but I wouldnt unless the manual or barrel says so.



NEVER assume. There are many 223 chambered AR's out there.

It's an easy enough fix. Run a 5. 56 mm or a 223 wylde finish reamer through your 223 chamber. Viola!

 

[GHarman]

The chamber geometry is not the only issue! SAAMI spec pressure for the . 223 Remington is 50,000 PSI. The MIL Spec Pressure for 5. 56 NATO is 60,000 PSI.

Now, you have an accurate . 223 Remington and you rechamber to 5. 56 NATO. You have just changed your accuracy potential with larger clearances.

The WYLDE Chamber does address chamber dimension disparities. Properly done, you will have an accurate rifle.

Its not something I would do just to get cheap brass and MIL SURP ammo!

However, with a small base sizing die and brass prep. The Military brass can be used in a . 223, reloaded with the appropriate loads.

Heres a link to some good . 223 information. Have FUN! GregH



223 Rem + 223 AI Cartridge Guide



The Gun Zone -- SAAMI on 5. 56 v. . 223 Remington

 

[GHarman]

Looking at the Ruger web site. Only their target version of the Mini-14 is . 223 Remington. The other Mini-14's are listed as 5. 56NATO/. 223 Remington.

Check your owners manual or call Ruger! They will let you know the straight skinny! GregH

 

[The patriot]

The chamber geometry is not the only issue! SAAMI spec pressure for the . 223 Remington is 50,000 PSI. The MIL Spec Pressure for 5. 56 NATO is 60,000 PSI.

Now, you have an accurate . 223 Remington and you rechamber to 5. 56 NATO. You have just changed your accuracy potential with larger clearances.

The WYLDE Chamber does address chamber dimension disparities. Properly done, you will have an accurate rifle.

Its not something I would do just to get cheap brass and MIL SURP ammo!

However, with a small base sizing die and brass prep. The Military brass can be used in a . 223, reloaded with the appropriate loads.

Heres a link to some good . 223 information. Have FUN! GregH



223 Rem + 223 AI Cartridge Guide



The Gun Zone -- SAAMI on 5. 56 v. . 223 Remington

He's shooting a Mini 14.

If he was concerned with accuracy he'd be shooting a different gun. :-laf

JM. 02

 

[GHarman]

Yep!

:-laf, I UNDERSTAND!GregH

 

[HHhuntitall]

He's shooting a Mini 14.

If he was concerned with accuracy he'd be shooting a different gun. :-laf

JM. 02

:-laf... . NO doubt!! (no offense to anyone, anything, or any company that has lawyers on retention. )



The Mini's are chambered with a mil-spec chamber, anyway, so unless it's made prior to @ '94, it should be fine. Ruger presumes you will be using the cheapest ammo you can find when plinking, so it's got plenty of relief for shooting whatever you can find. If it's a fairly new rifle, I'm sure it's fine for whatever will go in it and fire... . A fired cartridge or a chamber casting will show you the chamber dimensions, and the casting will show throat depth so there would be no doubts at all.....



I had some junk Russian ammo that came in a trade, and close to half of it wouldn't chamber in ANY of my ARs or bolt guns, so I just gave it to a friend who had a county issued Mini in his trunk... . It shot it fine, without a single misfire or jam... ... I can't remember now how big the base diameter was, but it was HUGE... several thousandths larger than SAMMI spec, and STILL chambered fine in his Mini... ... . Couldn't hit the broad side of a stock tank at 200 yds, but couldn't tell a difference in that ammo or the County Issue Remington, either... ... .