What is the difference between..

[Bobbygun]

Gun math is so simple and uncomplicated. Obviously 5.56 is bigger than .223, right? And .223 is bigger than .222, right? But wait, the .222 bullet is actually .224 which is bigger than .223. So doesn't that tell us that the .222 MAGNUM is a .224 bullet but a MAGNUM cartridge. Wait, what if the .223 really shoots a .224 bullet? Wouldn't that stick in a .223 barrel? And if that's so, wouldn't a .224 bullet stick even worse in a .222 barrel, or worse yet in a .222 MAGNUM barrel?

Man, I'm gonna have to start day drinking.

 

[Ben B.]

How can you shoot .38 ammo in a .357 without blowing up the barrel?

 

[gmerkt]

When I was in the military, we often practiced with .222.

Yes, I'd be interested in knowing more about such rifles in the USAF. Make and maybe model. I'd never heard of this before. But there are lots of things I've never heard of before.

Nuke LeMay was a known gun enthusiast. He encouraged marksmanship in the USAF when he was chief of staff. He was instrumental in the adoption of the AR15 as a military weapon, got Smith & Wesson Combat Masterpiece revolvers for the Air Police, many other gun related initiatives.

Colt did make some AR15's in .222 Rem. but as far as I know, these were made for export to countries where .223/5.56mm was not permitted. They are rather rare and I doubt the US military would buy such things since by that time, 5.56 was already adopted as a standard cartridge.

I like the .222 Rem. Without regard to standardization issues, .222 is still a very viable cartridge. The .222 Rem Mag doesn't offer much advantage over .223/5.56 and is difficult to get brass for these days. I've owned a few .222's, a Sako, a Remington and a Savage, all good shooting guns.

 

[Bobbygun]

How can you shoot .38 ammo in a .357 without blowing up the barrel?

That's why I shoot the .429 bullets in my .44 Magnum instead. They rattle down the barrel a bit, but at least they don't blow up.

 

[monks]

I just had some 222 Remington the other day. I bought a bunch of old ammo brass and dies from an estate and there were 222 dies, brass and ammo mixed in. I figured it was obsolete enough that I took it back and gave it to the lady. I told her she'll need it when she sells the gun. I know how frustrating and expensive it can be trying to find stuff that's old. I'd love to find a deal on 32 remington dies and brass!

 

[Bobbygun]

I just had some 222 Remington the other day. I bought a bunch of old ammo brass and dies from an estate and there were 222 dies, brass and ammo mixed in. I figured it was obsolete enough that I took it back and gave it to the lady. I told her she'll need it when she sells the gun. I know how frustrating and expensive it can be trying to find stuff that's old. I'd love to find a deal on 32 remington dies and brass!

Surprisingly, Starline has .222 Remington brass available now and it's not all that expensive - $107 for 250 cases (or 500 for $189) and free shipping.

Brass for .222 Remington Magnum on the other hand, is scarcer and more expensive. Nosler makes it and Graf & Sons has it in stock today for $190.99 for a bag of 250 cases plus shipping.

I'm pretty sure dies are readily available for $50 to $60 for a 2-die set for either cartridge.

 

[leverite]

2 comments from an old, grouchy gun guy:
1. USAF General Lemay was a fan of the select fire M16 for military use. NOT to be honestly confused with the civilian, semiauto AR15 we have now.
2. IMHO there are more urgent things to worry about than shooting 5.56 in 223 guns...like the National Debt, or what your kids watch on line.
Normal variations in ammo and firearms production introduce more variables than from any theoretical chamber pressure
differential.