will .223 work in a 7.62 AK
- Thread starter Bender711
- Start date
Dave Haven
New member
I've seen a .223 case that was fired in an AK. It actually fired. It bulged the <K9 excrement> out of the case. It didn't cycle the action, and accuracy and velocity were extremely unimpressive. It's not good for the gun, and could be hazardous to the shooter.
I've heard two myths regarding the 7.62X39/7.62X51.
The first being that the 7.62X39 could function in the M14 because it was just slightly smaller than the 7.62X51, but the VC couldn't shoot the 7.62X51 in their AK's because it wouldn't chamber. In reality, the 7.62X39 is too short to headspace and fire in a 7.62X51 chamber unless somehow the extractor holds it against the bolt face. This myth is partially correct in that the 7.62X51 ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT chamber in a 7.62X39 chamber. It won't fit in the magazine, either.
The second myth being that the VC's could shoot 7.62X51 in their AK's (Impossible - see above), but the 7.62X39 would blow up an M14 because the bullet is .003" larger than the bullet in the 7.62X51. (Unlikely)
I've heard two myths regarding the 7.62X39/7.62X51.
The first being that the 7.62X39 could function in the M14 because it was just slightly smaller than the 7.62X51, but the VC couldn't shoot the 7.62X51 in their AK's because it wouldn't chamber. In reality, the 7.62X39 is too short to headspace and fire in a 7.62X51 chamber unless somehow the extractor holds it against the bolt face. This myth is partially correct in that the 7.62X51 ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT chamber in a 7.62X39 chamber. It won't fit in the magazine, either.
The second myth being that the VC's could shoot 7.62X51 in their AK's (Impossible - see above), but the 7.62X39 would blow up an M14 because the bullet is .003" larger than the bullet in the 7.62X51. (Unlikely)
MTMilitiaman
New member
There are Kalashnikovs designed to feed and fire the 5.56mm available in both the commercial and military markets but the 5.56mm should be kept out of all 7.62mm and 5.45mm AKs.
It's worth noting that the AK-47's progeny, the AK-74, is chambered in 5.56 NATO.
A brief description can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ak-74
So I guess the normal 5.56/.223 debate applies to the 74 just like an AR15, etc.
A brief description can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ak-74
So I guess the normal 5.56/.223 debate applies to the 74 just like an AR15, etc.
Death from Afar
New member
Umm, no, its chambered in 5.45mm.
Death from Afar
New member
As always Mate. 
Mister_Dinky
Moderator
OK i know that his sounds absurd, but i once read/ heard some where that you could get .223 to feed and fire and eject in an AK-47. And that the VC would do this in nam. does any body know if this would work?
Crap!
Crap!
Ooh! I stand corrected!
Serves me right for not reading my own reference carefully!
5.45 it is then.
I guess I saw 5.xx and went to the one I knew best.
Interesting, that wiki article says it was likely developed after the Soviets studied our own 5.56x45mm cartridge in Vietnam. The whole explanation about tumbling vs. fragmenting was intriguing.
Serves me right for not reading my own reference carefully!
5.45 it is then.
I guess I saw 5.xx and went to the one I knew best.
Interesting, that wiki article says it was likely developed after the Soviets studied our own 5.56x45mm cartridge in Vietnam. The whole explanation about tumbling vs. fragmenting was intriguing.