General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: For those of you who support gun ownership answer me this...... [View all]DustyJoe
(849 posts)the .223 is almost identical to the 5.56x45 NATO
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While the external case dimensions are very similar, the .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm differ in both maximum pressure and chamber shape. The maximum and mean pressures for some varieties of the 5.56 mm (different cartridge designations have different standards) exceed the SAAMI maxima for the .223 Remington, and the methods for measuring pressures differ between NATO and SAAMI.[2] The 5.56 mm chamber specification has also changed over time since its adoption, as the current military loading (NATO SS-109 or US M855) uses longer, heavier bullets than the original loading did. This has resulted in a lengthening of the throat in the 5.56 mm chamber. Thus, while .223 Remington ammunition can be safely fired in a 5.56 mm chambered gun, firing 5.56 mm ammunition in a .223 Remington chamber may produce pressures in excess of even the 5.56 mm specifications due to the shorter throat.
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I think most vets from Vietnam forward can tell you with certainty that this projectile kills humans quite efficiently.
note. the CT shooter had a .223 in his vehicle but, it was not used in the shooting.
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Untill they change the definition of a sporting semi-auto rifle as being equivelant to a militarized assault weapon, I don't see any regulation for sporting/hunting variants to include much more that a magazine size regulation that is in effect in some states.