Will the Mini-14 take 5.56 NATO ?

[Stainless Chili]

Simple question, but the answer is not found on Ruger's web site.

They sell the rifle as .223 varmit rifle.
No mention of the higher-pressure defense/offense NATO.

I want to order some:
LAKE CITY SS109 GREEN TIP M855 62 GRAIN - STEEL PENETRATOR 5.56mm

and make some niose at the range, but could use some advice first, before I ruin a perfectly new rifle.

All I found so far is that 5.56 is 0.02" longer and higher pressure.

[ABCDEFG]

My 184 series is marked .223. The instruction manual states:
"The mini 14 rifle is designed to use either U.S. Military or commercial sporting .223 (5.56)caliber cartrages manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice."
It is my understanding they all have Nato chambers. I have put a few hundred Lake City rounds through mine. hth

[SDBettas]

What makes you think those make any more noise at the range than standard XM193 or Q3131?

[Stainless Chili]

Ah...
A misconception.

Sorry, what I meant is that I want to buy ammo and shoot it.
Make a lot of smoke, smell the nitro [or whatever is in it], feel some recoil, and turn chunks of wood into toothpicks.

The 5.56 is a little cheaper than the .223

The 5.56 is the ammo I want if the SHTF.

[ABCDEFG]

Mr. Chili: Read this:
http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5252
Talks about nato chamber, among other things.

[X-ray Dave]

Reading the manual on the Ruger site it states just what ABCDEFG posted.

Dave

[Stainless Chili]

Waiting for the rifle. Soon it will be here.

I've ordered ammo based on these responses

I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD a plain explanation of the difference bnetween SAAMI and NATO.

But it's coming, I trust. ;7

[hIGH_aND_mIGHTY]

Well from what I have learned on ar15.com is that 5.56 NATO ammo is hotter by several thousand PSI. That chambers for NATO and SAAMI are slightly different. SAAMI chambers are tighter for greater accuracy and 5.56 NATO isn't as tight for higher reliability. From what I gatther at ruger.com is that the mini-14 is .223 remington so using 5.56 ammo would not be recommended as the hotter 5.56 NATO put into a smaller chamber could be dangerous

I believe ammo oracle talks about this.
http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm

[Stainless Chili]

I called Ruger.
They plainly said that 5.56 is fine as long as it is loaded to factory specs.

I've cleaned the rifle; I might clean it again this weekend just for the heck of it. It's too cold to go shooting, unless there is a riot in the street.

I still want the "right" sling for it.

[X-ray Dave]

Ruger webb site says 5.56 is OK. Check the rate of twist for your barrel to determine what weight ammo will work "best".

Dave

[Glockdude1]

Next debate: 7.62x51 vs .308 Winchester News at 11!!!

;N