The 223 Wylde chamber has been rapidly gaining popularity among shooting enthusiasts, and for good reason. This hybrid rifle chamber offers greater flexibility when it comes to choosing ammunition, allowing shooters to use both .223 Remington and 5.56×45 NATO rounds with greater safety and accuracy. Let’s find out everything you need to know about the 223 Wylde, from its origins to the benefits it provides over other chambers.
What Is 223 Wylde?
223 Wylde is a hybrid rifle chamber designed to safely fire both .223 Remington and 5.56×45 NATO ammunition. It was developed by Bill Wylde to combine the advantages of the .223 Remington chamber’s accuracy and the 5.56 NATO chamber’s ability to handle higher pressure loads. The chamber combines the best attributes of each, giving shooters increased flexibility with ammunition choices without sacrificing accuracy or safety.
- .223 Remington: A popular civilian cartridge standardized by SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute), known for its accuracy and consistency in rifles specifically chambered for it.
- 5.56 NATO: A military-grade cartridge that generally operates at higher pressures than .223 Remington. Shooting 5.56 NATO rounds in a rifle chambered strictly for .223 can lead to dangerous pressure spikes.
Key Differences Between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO
The distinction between these two cartridges lies mainly in the pressures they produce and the chambers in which they are fired:
- Pressure Differences: 5.56 NATO generates higher pressures compared to .223 Remington due to its military specifications. .223 Remington measures pressure at the middle of the case, while 5.56 NATO measures it at the case mouth, often resulting in a difference of up to 20,000 psi.
- Chamber Variations: Although both cartridges fit in either chamber, the 5.56 NATO chamber has a longer leade (the area between the chamber and the rifling). This extra space helps handle the higher pressures of the 5.56 NATO round. Firing a 5.56 round in a .223 chamber, which has a shorter leade, can result in a pressure spike, potentially causing malfunctions or catastrophic failure.
The 223 Wylde chamber mitigates these issues by incorporating the leade angle of the 5.56 NATO and the tighter freebore dimensions of the .223 Remington, allowing safe and accurate firing of both cartridges.
Performance and Accuracy
The 223 Wylde chamber shines in its ability to handle both types of ammunition while maintaining high accuracy. Thanks to the tighter freebore diameter, which is closer to that of the .223 Remington, this chamber can deliver excellent precision, especially with .223 rounds. At the same time, it has the necessary chamber angling to handle the higher pressures of 5.56 NATO rounds.
Velocity Testing: 223 Wylde vs. 5.56 NATO Chamber
In a test comparing a Colt LE6920 (5.56 NATO) and an Alex Pro Firearms rifle chambered in 223 Wylde, both with 16-inch barrels, the following velocity results were recorded using two types of ammunition: 55-grain M193 and 75-grain match-grade ammunition:
| Ammo Type | 223 Wylde Velocity (fps) | 5.56 NATO Velocity (fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 55-grain M193 | 3031.6 | 2999.4 |
| 75-grain match | 2707.6 | 2699.4 |
The differences in velocity were minimal, with the 223 Wylde chamber showing a slight edge in velocity consistency. While the velocity difference might not be a huge factor for casual shooters, the accuracy benefits of the 223 Wylde with both .223 and 5.56 ammo are significant.
Why Choose 223 Wylde?
1. Versatility
The ability to safely fire both .223 and 5.56 ammo makes the 223 Wylde chamber an excellent choice for AR-15 owners who want more flexibility in ammunition selection without worrying about damaging their rifle or sacrificing accuracy.
2. Accuracy
The tighter freebore diameter of the 223 Wylde offers greater precision with .223 Remington ammo. While 5.56 NATO rounds may not reach the same accuracy, the chamber still allows for solid performance and ensures that higher pressure 5.56 loads are fired safely.
3. Safety
The key safety benefit of the 223 Wylde is that it eliminates the risks associated with firing 5.56 NATO rounds from a rifle chambered for .223 Remington. Since it incorporates the same chambering angles as the 5.56, it can handle the higher pressures safely.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
With the flexibility to shoot cheaper .223 Remington rounds while still being able to handle 5.56 NATO when needed, the 223 Wylde chamber allows shooters to save money on ammo without sacrificing performance.
Common Questions About the 223 Wylde
1. Can You Shoot 5.56 Ammo in a .223 Wylde?
Yes, you can safely shoot 5.56 NATO ammo in a rifle chambered for 223 Wylde. The chamber is specifically designed to accommodate the higher pressures of 5.56 rounds.
2. Can You Shoot .223 Ammo in a 223 Wylde?
Yes, .223 Remington ammo can be fired from a 223 Wylde chamber, and it will typically perform with better accuracy than in a 5.56 NATO chamber due to the tighter freebore dimensions.
3. Is There a 223 Wylde Cartridge?
No, there is no specific “223 Wylde” cartridge. The term refers to the chambering of the rifle rather than a specific type of ammunition. You will still need to choose between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO cartridges based on your shooting preferences and needs.
Should You Switch to 223 Wylde?
For AR-15 owners who want the flexibility of shooting both .223 and 5.56 rounds safely and accurately, the 223 Wylde is an excellent option. While rifles chambered in 223 Wylde tend to be slightly more expensive, the benefits in versatility and accuracy make them well worth the investment, especially if you shoot frequently or across multiple shooting disciplines.
Conclusion
The 223 Wylde chamber offers the best of both worlds—superior accuracy with .223 Remington ammo and the ability to handle the higher pressures of 5.56 NATO rounds. Whether you’re training, hunting, or shooting for sport, this chamber provides a versatile, reliable solution. It’s a game-changer for those looking to maximize their AR-15’s performance without worrying about compatibility or safety concerns.
By understanding the benefits and differences that 223 Wylde offers, you can make an informed decision on whether it’s the right choice for your rifle. Happy shooting!
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