what is the commercial version (if any) of the 5.56mm I think its 5.56?

Question

that what i thought!thanks so much

Answer 1

Similar, but not the same is the .223.

Be advised that while the 5.56 NATO and .223 are in many ways the same, its not suggested that you shoot NATO mil-spec ammo through a .223 sporter. For one, the pressures in the 5.56 is higher - internally, the case is also thicker. If you have a sporter rifle, stick to .223...if you have a military-style rifle (MINI-14, AR, etc..) you are fine to use both civilian .223 and 5.56 NATO.

Ditto on the above about the 5.56/.223 vs. the .308/7.62x51 NATO. .30 Cal RULES!

Answer 2

Civilians call the 5.56 NATO round a .223 Remington. Several companies make rifles for this caliber. I have a Ruger model 77 that shoots it, and with my reloads I can do 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. It's a great little cartridge for hunting, but lacks the knockdown that a good military round needs. One of my cousins was a Major in the Marines, and told me thatin Iraq when his men would shoot terrorists with the 5.56 they would shoot back as they bled to death, often killing our soldiers. I want our military to go back to the 7.62x51, also known as the .308. I have 5 rifles in .308. They are awesome and the power is great.

Answer 3

for the guy above who said they need more powerful guns for the military: they are actually working on it now. i read an article recently about a new caliber that is being tested right now. it is somewhere between .233 and .308. im not sure on the size exactly. ill try to find a link.

anyways, the 5.56mm is very close to a .223. i believe they are the same size, but the 5.56 is a little more powerful. either one is suposed to be interchangeable.

edit: check this out http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/rem117_071305/

Answer 4

The 5.56mm round is a .223 round.