5.56 NATO Rd. question.

RogueLeader · April 11, 2009, 01:19:46 AM

For a reason that I can't fully disclose; can 5.56 blanks be fired out of a .223 rem weapon that has a BFA? Same for standard 5.56 Ball

I know that they will chamber, as they are the same size round, but I heard that it might not be a good idea.

Thoughts?

Stonewall · April 11, 2009, 01:30:02 AM

Yes. BTDT.

Stonewall · April 11, 2009, 01:32:11 AM

Sorry, on blackberry.

FYI, there is an article about the extremely slight differences between 5.56 and .223 in the current SWAT magazine. Unless you're a ballistics expert and study the stragectory of the round, you'll never know the difference.

MIKE · April 11, 2009, 01:38:54 AM

Should've just PMed UK, unless you are buying rounds for a CAP activity.... Less than likely.

Stonewall · April 11, 2009, 01:44:26 AM

Let's see. He's at CCOC, posted in that thread that they MAY be shooting, now he's asking about the compatability of .223 with AR type rifles...

intersting... Should have PM'd me.

Johnny Yuma · April 11, 2009, 01:48:48 AM

5.56 and .223 dimensions the same, case wise.

The differences lie in rifle chamberings (5.56 throat is shorter) and resulting cartridge pressure. 5.56 is actually hotter pressure-wise by about 5,000psi. due to the short throat of the weapon.

MIKE · April 11, 2009, 01:55:34 AM

Quote from: Stonewall on April 11, 2009, 01:44:26 AM
Let's see. He's at CCOC, posted in that thread that they MAY be shooting, now he's asking about the compatability of .223 with AR type rifles...

intersting... Should have PM'd me.

Ok, when you read his latest CCOC post it makes sense... but taken alone it seems like a random not necessarily relevant thread.

Stonewall · April 11, 2009, 01:58:48 AM

Yeah, I'm just enjoying some time at a local establishment, making eyes with the locals and looking like a geek on my crackberry. Just having fun...

MIKE · April 11, 2009, 02:00:51 AM

I'm telling Sandy!

Edit: On topic, don't some services not like it when you fire non-government brass in a government piece... I have heard differently depending.

Stonewall · April 11, 2009, 02:08:52 AM

Sandy's the one that sent me out for some R&R.

BOT: I can't speak for all units in the military, but across the board, shooting anything out of a military issue weapon is a huge violation. Its just not done; isn't acceptable.

RogueLeader · April 11, 2009, 03:24:13 AM

No, gov. brass with civ weapon at mil range. It's a DPMS A-15, think M-4 that only fires semi.

I don't think that it would be an issue getting my M-4 out of the Arms room from my Company, but I also want to get my weapon zeroed if I can. we'll see.

I could also buy some 7.62 blanks for me civ AK. . . . . .

Major Lord · April 11, 2009, 03:39:19 AM

I have fired my DPMS AR with 5.56 military "grenade" blanks ( as opposed to "parade" blanks) with a golf ball launcher and they worked well and did not detonate in my chamber. I use live .223 and 5.56 interchangeable in my AR with no problems, even though there are differences in chamber pressure. I prefer Black Hill Match .223 ammo for long range shooting.

Major Lord

es_g0d · April 11, 2009, 04:50:09 AM

I'm curious why this topic has been left in "The Lobby," while the deaths of CAP members in an airplane quickly and always gets moved to "Aviation" post haste. This particular topic probably has no business on a CAP board, so I can't suggest where I'd put it.

Grumpiness aside, I like this kind of thing too. My only concern would be with excessive fouling of the barrel / gas tube after firing too many blanks. I've had it happen to me... Similarly, if you fire a lot of unjacketed lead ammo (such as through a .22 adapter) it can leave lead in the grooves. Simply fire a few good 'ol standard ball ammo to clean it out. Regular cleanings will prevent fouling.

How's that for a mixed message?

flyguy06 · April 11, 2009, 01:00:08 PM

I must admit, this post is not CAP related yet it remains and I know posts that have been locked because they werent CAP related. Also, this is a particulary interesting post. The guy is asking about ammunition. military ammuniation. In a time where people are taking weapons and walking into establishments doing harm to other citizens. I worry sometimes about people and their questions.

Not making accusations, but I dont know this person and his original post is very "secretive" For reasons I cant disclose" If he cant disclose the reason for asking, then he probably shouldnt be asking. He asked if a certain type of ammo canbe fired fro a certain type of weapon. . Yeah, I'm just gonna come out and say it.........SCARY

Rob Sherlin · April 11, 2009, 01:13:35 PM

Well, he was just asking about "blanks", but you can do a lot with just the knowledge of knowing the "blanks" will work or not. I'm not implying anything, but it does kinda' seem like an odd question when you open it by saying you can't disclose information on what's going on.

flyguy06 · April 11, 2009, 01:18:18 PM

Being that i am not an ammo expert, I didnt think about that but you are correct. So the common citizen would assume anything based on his statements. Like you said, "odd" and in this day and age with so much violence, you really cant take any chances.

The other point I am making is to the MODS. They have gotten reall strict about relevant to CAP posts on here lately.

Rob Sherlin · April 11, 2009, 01:48:04 PM

In my opinion, I really think we should not discuss weapon or ammo modifications here on this board (if you want to do it in private,,,that's another thing). If you're talking about a CAP shooting event, then I would assume you are supposed to use the right caliber and ammo for what you are shooting....Otherwise, you're on your own if something happens because of it.

Major Lord · April 11, 2009, 02:02:51 PM

I think we can safely assume that Aaron is not a school shooter. My use for blanks came up in the capacity of trying to put together a line throwing gun for Search and Rescue, as well as antenna placement. I look at Aaron's question in good faith, and I don't assume that questions from members about aircraft might suggest they intend to pilot a jet into a building. I know the issue of CAP/JROTC, and other cadets having an honor guard and firing blanks has been raised before, and his question could have easily been in this vein. ( please, no need to respond on CAP's views on firing parties) This is a privately run board, not a CAP board per se, so the Mods get to be the final arbiters of whats relevant, but I think CAP members have wide and varied interests and its unfair to decide out of hand that something is out of bounds. Now if he had asked about how to make ANFO, I might be worried.....

Major Lord

flyguy06 · April 11, 2009, 02:08:31 PM

I agree with you. But i dont know Aaron. And of course askiing about aircraft doesnt raise my eyebrows. We are an aviation organization full of pilots. I expect discussions about aircraft.

Ok, i will remember you said that when i ask a question and see if it gets locked or not.

Rob Sherlin · April 11, 2009, 02:28:00 PM

I somewhat understand if it's for Honor Guard wanting to shoot "hard to find" blanks. I have spent many years with "black powder" weapons, and you would not believe some of the things you can fire out of them with great destruction...I once fired an arrow for my longbow out of my musket, and it went through a cinder block ( the big grey ones), through the garage and into a palm tree behind it (to the point where we could not dislodge it). Where I lived a while in Columbia, CA. (a rebuilt ghost town from the gold rush), they had a stage coach ride, and my buddy had a job of robbing the coach along it's ride. He was just using an old Colt "Peacemaker" and fired blanks. You put something in the barrel and fire the blank, it might as well be a bullet! So, you can understand the concern here. Whether it be blanks or not, what is the secrecy for?

PS.....I think I just proved that modifying and firing something out of a hand held firearm, is not the same as getting a hold of a jet and flying it into a building.

Additional PS...The musket with the arrow would definitely work as a line thrower...SHHH! I didn't say that!