.223 in a .204...???

[jim46ok]

I have 2 barrels, both scoped and zero'd the same, for my NEF Handi. Problem is, I realized that the .223 chambers rather nicely in the .204 barrel. Should I mess up, and mistakenly chamber the .223 in the .204, what can I expect? Barrel blown up? Me?

Thoughts anyone..??? Thanks

[RAMOS]

My guess is it would be VERY, VERY...................BAAAD!

[ryutzy]

hmmm factory chamber must be a lil oversized. I'm guessing it would cause extreme pressures upon fireing and likely more than just a lil pressure. JMO

[Bill K]

It very well could cause a blow up of the action. I would be super cautious to never place a 223 into that 204. Bill K

[Hedge]

Very bad news if you touched it off.

Aside from keeping the ammo distantly separate, you could use a red marker on your .223 bases as a reminder to check which barrel you're using.

[Tokimini]

Just to be safe I'd get rid of the .223 barrel. I may be a bit of a fanatic in my love for the .204 but in my humble opinion there is nothing you can do with a .223 that a .204 wont do better, so why have both. Sell the .223 barrel and get a .243 or a 6.5 Creedmoor.

[Rick in Oregon]

If you plan to shoot both calibers, I'd mark both the 223 ammo and barrel to preclude a catastrophic event, because if a 223 round was torched off in that 204 barrel, the end result and photos would be internet lore for many years to come (at your expense).

Be very, very careful.....that's a mistake you DON'T want to make!

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

I got a month's beer money sez he won't do it twice.

[OldTurtle]

I would also be putting some kind of flag on your .223 ammo...Since both cartridges have the same diameter at the web and only .0057" difference width at the shoulder, the basic difference is in the length of the .204 of being .1005" longer....According to the SAAMI specs...

I'm surprised that the difference in neck sizes (.204=.231", .223=.253") will allow the cartridge to seat all the way into the chamber, enough for the action to close...

I know that on my ARs, I have to color code my magazines to reduce the probability of just such an incident..

[Lead Lobber]

I can't imagine that a .223 will chamber in a .204........ I have 2 .204s and my wife has a target Mini-14, I guess I should see if it is true when I get the chance.

Are you sure that you can close the bolt?????? I would figue the diameter of the projectile and case neck would prohibit the action from completly closing.

I know that a .204 won't allow the bolt to close on a .223/5.56 because of the shoulder location......

[Lead Lobber]

Just checked both guns, and you cannot close the bolts in either..........223 in a .204, or .204 in the .223. Both bolts were around .095" to .125" from closing.