223 vs 5.56: You Won't Believe The Difference On Steel

Published on September 19, 2022
Duration: 6:08

This video compares the steel penetration capabilities of .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition. Testing revealed that 5.56 NATO, with its higher pressure and longer chamber throat, significantly outperforms .223 Remington when impacting steel plates, especially on thicker materials. While .223 can penetrate thinner steel, 5.56 demonstrates superior energy transfer and penetration depth.

Quick Summary

5.56 NATO outperforms .223 Remington in steel penetration tests due to higher operating pressures (approx. 58,000 PSI vs. 55,000 PSI) and a longer chamber throat. This allows 5.56 rounds to deliver more energy, successfully penetrating thicker steel plates where .223 rounds may only cause bulges.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: .223 vs 5.56 Steel Test
  2. 00:41Testing 1/4 Inch Steel Plates
  3. 01:213/8 Inch Steel: .223 Fails, 5.56 Penetrates
  4. 02:09Technical Differences: Pressure & Throat Length
  5. 03:18Barrel Length Impact & 1/2 Inch Steel Test
  6. 04:48Measuring Exact Penetration Depth

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO regarding steel penetration?

5.56 NATO generally penetrates steel better than .223 Remington due to higher operating pressures (around 58,000 PSI vs. 55,000 PSI) and a longer chamber throat, allowing for more powder and higher velocity.

Can .223 Remington penetrate 3/8 inch steel?

From an 18-inch barrel, .223 Remington typically fails to penetrate 3/8 inch mild steel, causing a bulge instead. However, a longer 24-inch barrel can enable penetration.

How much deeper did 5.56 NATO penetrate 1/2 inch steel compared to .223 Remington?

In tests with a 1/2 inch steel plate, 5.56 NATO penetrated 0.423 inches, while .223 Remington penetrated 0.299 inches, demonstrating a significant difference in performance.

What factors contribute to 5.56 NATO's superior performance in penetration tests?

The higher pressure limit (SAAMI spec for 5.56 is higher than .223) and the longer throat in the 5.56 NATO chamber allow for more efficient powder burn and higher muzzle velocities, leading to greater impact energy.

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