Before the 223/5,56mm cartridge

[RCS]

Attachment 122362Attachment 122363The US Military had been testing cartridges using 224 diameter bullets during the mid 1950's.
These included the M1 carbine cartridge necked down to 224 diameter and others including the 22/7,62x51 cartridge

Around 1957, designers lengthened the 222 Remington case with a new 55 gr bullet at 3200 fps and a redesigned AR-10 rifle into a small scale called the AR-15 chambering this cartridge.
The new 1958 cartridge was called the 222 REMINGTON SPECIAL (later changed to 223 Rem)

Winchester developed a cartridge close to the 222 Rem Special and used a breech design and gas system very close to the M1 carbine. The 224E2 Winchester in 1957 fired a bullet at 3300 fps and a steel bullet at 3600 fps.

Both the Armalite AR-15 and Winchester Lightweight rifles were tested by the US Army. Final section was the AR-15 and the new 223 or later 5,56mm military

Information

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[usabaker]

Interesting, Where did the 222 REMINGTON MAGNUM fall into this, I thought it was developed for the Military as well.

[RCS]

The 222 Rem Magnum was an excellent cartridge, developed for military service but failed on the civilian market after the 223/5,56mm became a military cartridge. Also the semi auto Colt SP 1 being sold to the public did not help the 222 Rem mag.

Winchester had given some consideration to producing their Lightweight Rifle for the civilian market but decided there would not be enough interest to justify production.

My cartridge photo: 17/222 222 Rem 222 rim 222 Rem mag 223 Rem 6x47mmAttachment 120672Attachment 120673Attachment 120674Attachment 120675

[usabaker]

My cartridge photo: 17/222 222 Rem 222 rim 222 Rem mag 223 Rem 6x47mm

You have quite the cartridge collection, not just these but all the others you have shown in the past. Thank you for all the infromaiton.

[RCS]

Another bad mistake that Winchester made in 1965 or so, was to sell off their M14 equipment to civilian buyers. Had Winchester produced a
M14 semi auto rifle in both standard and match grade, they would still be selling them today.

The Winchester Lightweight rifle in 223 cal would have sold, look at the Ruger Mini 14

[usabaker]

The Winchester Lightweight rifle in 223 cal would have sold, look at the Ruger Mini 14

If they were smart, that would start making them. Most people are buying the Mini-14 in CA to avoid all the bull that comes with owning an AR

[browningautorifle]

Can't see the pics...

[RCS]

The 222 Remington Special was a Stoner design and tested during 1954-56, this became the Rem 223 and military 5,56mm (there is a slight difference between these two cartridges).

The 224 E2 Winchester was tested during the 1957 trials and loaded to 3300 fps.

Also shown is the British 4,85x49 mm (tracer) for comparison

[usabaker]

I just picked a Remington 700 SPS (not tactical) in .223, couldn't pass up the price. We will see how well I faired once it gets there, nothing like buying a rifle with minimal pictures, one to be exact, on the internet. But every rifle I have bought from these folks has been perfect I have no doubts this will be the same. I was actually looking for a Remington 721 in .222 Remington, well still am, in searching, I ran across a used CZ 527 Varmint in .204 Ruger; cute little Mauser for $600, almost bought it, and then I got the call on the 700 SPS for $400.

Now I have the .224 diameter bug I partly blame you and all your 222, 223, 204 talk. I can't stop thinking about the CZ 527

Got lucky, Brownells has some FEDERAL 205 MATCH Small Rifle Primers in stock and Barnes Varmint Grenade 30, 36, and 50 grain bullets in stock so I order the primers and a box each of the 36 and 50 grain bullets to see which the Remington 700 SPS likes best.

[browningautorifle]

Remington 700 SPS (not tactical) in .223

I was shooting mine this very morning. I had a 26" Bbl and cut it down to 20" to match my 700 in .308. Nice handling rifle now.