5.56 or .223 Wylde Barrel Choice

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Gulf Coast States

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • dkdiver

    Expert
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Joined
    Oct 16, 2012
    Messages
    107
    Points
    18
    Just wanted to get some opinions. Planning on doing a rifle build and was looking for some feedback before purchasing a barrel. Definitely want to be able to chamber a 5.56 but if your were doing a build from scratch, would you pick a regular 5.56 barrel or use a .223 Wylde one to be able to fire both 5.56 and .223 a little more more accurately. Just an average shooter wanting to build a rifle. Thanks!
     

    Rebel_Rider1969

    Well Known Nuisance
    Rating - 100%
    35   0   0
    Joined
    Sep 12, 2019
    Messages
    19,781
    Points
    113
    Location
    Range, Al. Near Brewton.
    Just wanted to get some opinions. Planning on doing a rifle build and was looking for some feedback before purchasing a barrel. Definitely want to be able to chamber a 5.56 but if your were doing a build from scratch, would you pick a regular 5.56 barrel or use a .223 Wylde one to be able to fire both 5.56 and .223 a little more more accurately. Just an average shooter wanting to build a rifle. Thanks!
    Wylde. Most if not all of the quality/ Hunting ammo is. 223... also seems like a large majority of the ammo i shoot is .223 not 5.56. ymmv.
     

    Raven

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    15   0   0
    Joined
    Mar 30, 2020
    Messages
    8,762
    Points
    113
    Yep, Jack is right. You're buying a service rifle, not a sniper rifle. You'll never realize the benefit of a Wylde chamber for accuracy, so why pay more? Just buy a rifle stamped both 556/223 and don't worry about it. I personally would never buy an AR rifle with a Wylde chamber, or for that matter a match grade chamber of any sort, because I do plan on getting an AR fouled with carbon and I'd rather have longer between cleanings than have that extra half minute of angle worth of accuracy. If you ever aim at something other than paper with an AR, chances are whatever it is will be moving, actively trying to not get shot and you will have a less than stellar shooting position... so leave the benchrest sniper idea alone
     
    Last edited:

    lil'skeet

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Joined
    Nov 20, 2015
    Messages
    1,655
    Points
    113
    Location
    Florida
    CMMG makes some great conversion kits that allows you to shoot .22lr out of you .223 & 5.56 AR barrel. They work great and all you have to to do is swap out the BCG & magazine. They do not guarantee it to work with 223 wylde though. The kits are a cheap way to practice with the exact firearm, optics, sights, trigger, etc you will be using. .22lr will put almost no wear on your barrel too.
    $50 will get you 500 rounds of good .22lr ammo and will last a full day of shooting unless you are just doing mag dumps. $50 will get you about 100 rounds of .223 or 5.56 (4-30 round mags). That may last you an hour at the range. Trigger time is what counts to me.
    As others have said, I think the benefits of .223 wylde will not outweigh 5.56 unless you are looking for precision with your AR.
    With the cost of ammo nowadays it's something to think about if you really want to spend time shooting.
    Stick with what works & has been working for decades.
    This is just my opinion, but as I have told many a people many a times, "I am always right, even when I am wrong, I will never admit it & I will twist the truth to where you won't even know what we were talking about. For my name is "Brandon" aka FJB
     

    seandizzie

    Expert
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Joined
    Oct 1, 2021
    Messages
    326
    Points
    63
    Location
    Florida
    The idea of the Wylde chamber is being able to seat longer heavier bullets out further with out hitting the lands, which in a more standard chamber, you’ll jam the bullet. Notice the distinct extra free bore.

    If you’re not doing this I wouldn’t bother.
     

    ccc

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Joined
    Jan 24, 2013
    Messages
    2,307
    Points
    113
    I have 4 AR’s, 3 in .556, 1 in .223 Wylde, you will never see a difference at the range. Go with whichever you think you like the most.
     

    BowChamp

    Expert
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    Joined
    Jan 19, 2013
    Messages
    386
    Points
    63
    Just wanted to get some opinions. Planning on doing a rifle build and was looking for some feedback before purchasing a barrel. Definitely want to be able to chamber a 5.56 but if your were doing a build from scratch, would you pick a regular 5.56 barrel or use a .223 Wylde one to be able to fire both 5.56 and .223 a little more more accurately. Just an average shooter wanting to build a rifle. Thanks!
     

    seandizzie

    Expert
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Joined
    Oct 1, 2021
    Messages
    326
    Points
    63
    Location
    Florida

    RickG

    Shooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Joined
    Jun 19, 2022
    Messages
    75
    Points
    18
    Location
    Niceville, Fl
    Just wanted to get some opinions. Planning on doing a rifle build and was looking for some feedback before purchasing a barrel. Definitely want to be able to chamber a 5.56 but if your were doing a build from scratch, would you pick a regular 5.56 barrel or use a .223 Wylde one to be able to fire both 5.56 and .223 a little more more accurately. Just an average shooter wanting to build a rifle. Thanks!
    .223 Wylde is a pretty neat chamber.
    but 5.56 will do just fine as well.
     
    Top Bottom