223 Old ammunition

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223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 8:12 pm

Hey guys
I found some old 223 ammunition.
By my reasoning, It's gotta be at least 20 - 25yrs old.
The boxed ammo is as pictured, the other ammunition is, I think, surplus from the army (?)

I'm a little new to this sport and do not have the knowledge or experience to know if these are still viable or should be junked.

I suppose, to someone with reloading experience, the brass may be of use. Maybe, maybe not.

What are your thoughts?
Can these be used?
Or is best to dispose of them?

I'll post a pic of the boxed ammo soon.

Thanks guys :)
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Wombat » 28 Jun 2017, 8:18 pm

I've shot some old ammo with no problem, depends on how its stored more than anything. Military 5.56 is different to 223 though, I think slightly higher pressure.
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Oldbloke » 28 Jun 2017, 8:35 pm

If they have been stolen stored in dry and not too hot conditions they should be fine.
Cool and dry is good.
Military ammo may not be safe in a 223. But I think the reverse is OK.
Perhaps someone with more info can help with that one.
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 8:42 pm

They did spend sometime in the garden shed for a number of years. They were wrapped up in a burlap sack and shoved in a desk drawer. It does get hot during summer here in Vic, especially in the shed.

The reason I believe they were from the Army, is, the person who I believe possessed them did spend sometime in the Army. He has since passed away (hence my reasoning of age) so I cannot confirm if they are indeed Military.

Just by the pic, can you guys confirm they are a Military type ammunition?

I might get off my bum and take a pic of the base of the bullet.....
But I'm lazy, I've driven for nearly 8hrs today and the couch is comfortable!!
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2017, 8:46 pm

I am going by when I was in the Army but military 5.56 has a 68gn full metal jacket projectile that is the only difference.Its why the .222 was not powerful enough to launch the pill at the velocity required.The .222 Magnum is a little more grunt than a .223 but the Americans went with .223
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2017, 8:51 pm

If they are PSP they are not military
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 9:09 pm

The prize goes to Wombat. I've just looked, they are 5.56.
There is evidence of corrosion (through the primer?) on the base. There is green-ness on the base.
The boxed Winchester stuff looks in good nick. I've taken a pic of the old stuff next to new stuff.

Also, just asking for a mate ;) who's not licensed for a hand gun, but does have a cat A & B licence, is he allowed to possess hand gun ammunition? 38 special ammo?
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2017, 9:12 pm

If he has a lever action 357 Mag then yes
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 9:42 pm

Pics as per previous post ;)
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Apollo » 28 Jun 2017, 9:48 pm

They don't look anything like the lot in the first photo's...these one's look clean.

These photo's are too small to see any detail, especially what is stamped on the case head. Can't make it out but it I doubt it Winchester. They look like reloads maybe..??
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2017, 9:54 pm

Are you sure the green around the primer is not water proofing like PPU Ammo
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 10:21 pm

Apollo wrote:They don't look anything like the lot in the first photo's...these one's look clean.


The pic with 2 bullets in it is; old 223 Winchester on the left and the same spec bullet on the right but purchased new last week.

Apollo wrote:These photo's are too small to see any detail, especially what is stamped on the case head. Can't make it out but it I doubt it Winchester. They look like reloads maybe..??


The pic of the base of the bullet is the 5.56 ammo that I think is ex-army stuff.
Better pics are coming. I made them too small on the previous post.....
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 10:24 pm

duncan61 wrote:Are you sure the green around the primer is not water proofing like PPU Ammo


Yeah, dunno. Sorry.
To be honest, I don't know what PPU refers to.
And the reason for posting is to tap into the knowledge you guys have.

I have a use for the 223 ammo, but the 5.56 stuff I don't.
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 10:38 pm

More pics
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 10:41 pm

And all of the 5.56s that I have
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Wombat » 28 Jun 2017, 10:42 pm

In Victoria you are allowed to have ammunition for firearms you do not have but are licensed for. So 38 Special is fine if you have a Cat B license.
Different states have different laws.
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Wombat » 28 Jun 2017, 10:49 pm

5.56 is slightly different to 223 rem. Some rifles are fine with either. Depending on its age the military 5.56 will have different bullet weights and loadings. With 223 being so cheap there's only $30 odd worth of 5.56, if you rifle is rated for both maybe use it, if not why gamble?
There are threads and discussions about .223/5.56 interchange all over the internet. I think .308/7.62 is the other way round 7.62 is a lighter load. And if you get some Z stamped .303 beware as its a hotter load for machine guns.
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Corn » 28 Jun 2017, 10:50 pm

Wombat wrote:In Victoria you are allowed to have ammunition for firearms you do not have but are licensed for. So 38 Special is fine if you have a Cat B license.
Different states have different laws.

Thanks Wombat, I'll let my mate know that's it's all good! 8-)

Not so sure my 223 is rated for 5.56, so I'm happy to not even think about using or trying it.

I'm not so sure this next comment is ok/legal to write on the forum, but if any Vic forum member has a use for the 5.56 stuff, I'd be more than happy to hand it over, so long as location works for both of us.

Really appreciate the responses to this thread. Thanks
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Wombat » 28 Jun 2017, 10:56 pm

Just as long as he remembers there are 38/357 lever or revolving rifles if he does get queried.
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2017, 11:00 pm

We have some hornet ammo from 1978 and let the Grandchildren plink with it then my reloads are kept for the real deal.I see no reason that WW2 ammo would not just be fine.As a side note Rigby loaded down their 416 game rifle ammo as most of it was shot in a tropical environment for tigers and elephants in India
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2017, 11:15 pm

Be interesting to see if the old stuff goes in the same hole as the new factory stuff.I jagged it with my .222,My reloads are the same point off impact as Highland factory ammo which is less expensive than the big name brands.Highland was the importer for PPU .Ammunition factory Prvi Partizan is situated in southwestern part of Serbia, in town Uzice, 200 km away from Belgrade, the capital. Prvi Partizan has been producing ammunition for 89 years now, since 1928, when its founded. Prvi Partizan has supplied Serbian Army and Police, many foreign Armies and it also produces hunting and sporting ammunition, that is being sold all over the world. The factory has three production facilities, employs more than 1000 workers and it takes important part in economy of its region.I copied and pasted that.I found it to be excellent ammo and bought 5 boxes at a time and some I have reloaded 5-8 times.I feel it may get a bad rap because it is or was about 65% the cost of Remington or Winchester
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Apollo » 28 Jun 2017, 11:15 pm

Not 100% sure what that Headstamp reads. It's certainly 5.56 but the two letters "CH" or "OH" then the single letter. Was just trying to identify exactly who the manufacturer might be a get some better info. I don't see a NATO stamp so guess it's not NATO standard.

The reason I was trying to find this out is to figure out what it may have been designed for use in. I can see a Cannelure in the bullet but not good enough to see if it is crimped. Then it's any guess what weight the bullet might be.

I'd pull one apart and check out the components. Weigh bullet, check powder condition and weight then fire the empty case to see if the primer worked.

Don't think I'd take the risk in firing them in my .223 Rem.
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Re: 223 Old ammunition

Post by Bills Shed » 04 Jul 2017, 9:03 am

That 5.56 ammo looks like it is loaded in the stripper clips that were used in the old M16. The stripper clips were used in conjunction with a magazine adaptor. I could be wrong. It has been a long time since I used one. That could give an indication as to its age as well.

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