Before the 223/5,56mm cartridge

[RCS]

The 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

[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 6x47mm

[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

[RCS]

The Ruger 204 cartridge is nothing more than the 222 Remington magnum necked down to 204 cal (5mm) with the shoulder moved forward, case length is 47mm. It has been reported to be very accurate and the AR-15 series are offered in 204 Ruger by some custom builders.

I should also include the 4,85X49mm British military cartridge too, also a 5mm bullet on a longer 223 case.



Photo shows 4,85 tracer, 224 Winchester and 222 Rem Special