Century Galil - 5.56 or .223?

[PotatoMuncher]

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 maximums for the .223 Remington, and the methods for measuring pressures differ between NATO and SAAMI. 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.

Since the rifle itself says .223, Im willing to be that is the more correct cartridge they are referring to. But there's the technical answer if you were looking for one... which I dont think you were... Oh well.

 

[thundercloud]

Mine has 223 right on the reciever. I see no need to shoot anything other than 223.

 

[Roelfsmit]

All good info, thanks.
I have another issue.
I've been trying all kinds of different ammo 223 and 556. My receiver is stamped 556.
I replaced my extractor and spring already with a new set.
The problem is failing to eject every 5 rounds or so and this causes double feeds and other problems.
I have been avoiding russian Tula ammo due to the coatings, but the orher day i tried a few boxes and NO problems!!
It ejected perfectly to the right and forward no jams.
Why?
Is my recoil spring too stiff?
Seems the rifle wants the underpowered rounds.
Can anyone help?

 

[GADGET445]

No problem with either in mine (GAL04XXX). I have shot Ulyanovsk .223, Tula .223, Remington .223, and I think Federal XM-193 5.56, Tula had issues with stuck casings after about 500rds between cleanings, but no problems with anything else. XM-193 makes a bit of a bigger muzzle blast than .223 out of the Bonesteel Arms Night Brake that is on mine, but other than that no difference.

 

[lcastillo]

I downloaded the Galil manual from the IWI website since my Golani was used and did not come with a manual. I refers to the Galil in 5.56 mm. I am going to assume the Golani comes with a manual that was copied from the Galil manual? So maybe all the companies that make Galil clones do not go back and edit the 5.56 to refer to .223 due to cost. I guess it's the path of least resistance. I would shoot .223 if your Golani calls for it. Just to be on the safe side. Tenngalil says that if you send your rifle in to get worked on, he can check caliber and usally he will ream out to 5.56mm for you. If you prefer the 5.56 mm. I think thats what I will do.

 

[Che]

Mine has 223 right on the reciever. I see no need to shoot anything other than 223.

It does not matter what's on the receiver- it's the barrel that is either .223 or .556 barrel chamber. If you ever buy a used gun of any model, always be careful if the gun has been re-barreled, for the receiver marking mean squat.

If Green Mountain is the barrel manufacturer, then they should know- but it is Century that controls the warranty (and has the liability). You would think Century would be consistent between the gun markings and what THEIR manual says. For those that do not have a manual for their Golani- you cannot take what a Galil manual says!

 

[tcallre]

It's my understanding that to be sold as a sporting rifle and not a military rifle, our fun guns needed the .223 marking. In country's that allow limited private firearm ownership and had laws against owning military calibers firearms were chambered in weird offerings such as .222 and 9x23. If I remember right, Colt AR15's were marked .223 but used military barrels.

 

[N4KVE]

My Golani came with a Wasr booklet. I called Green Mountain, the people who make the barrel, & they said the barrel will be fine with 5.56. Since .223 is available everywhere, that's what I shoot in the gun. GARY N4KVE

 

[warpig]

I was always told you can shoot 223 in a 5.56 chamber ,but beware of 5.56 in a 223 chamber due to the Pressure is greater in the 5.56 Military rounds