The .223 Remington is Australia's default pest control cartridge and the most popular centrefire we sell. Released by Remington in 1964 alongside the military 5.56x45mm NATO, it pushes a light .224 projectile at high velocity with almost no recoil, cheap ammunition and long barrel life.
In the paddock it is the working rifle for foxes, rabbits, wild dogs and feral cats, and with 55 to 69 grain projectiles at 2,900 to 3,200 fps it handles goats and small to medium pigs at sensible ranges. Professional shooters run it in volume because ammunition costs stay low and the flat trajectory makes hits easy out to 300 metres. It is not a deer cartridge in most states, and it is legally excluded from deer in several; check your state regulations before hunting.
On the range it is a mainstay of Service Rifle and club benchrest, and a low-cost way into precision shooting. Rifles with 1:8 or faster twists stabilise 69 to 80 grain match projectiles and stretch the cartridge well past 500 metres. Reloading is straightforward and component supply is deep.
A note on 5.56x45mm NATO: the cases are the same size, but 5.56 chambers have a longer throat and NATO ammunition runs higher pressure. A rifle marked 5.56 will safely fire .223, but firing 5.56 ammunition in a rifle marked .223 only is not recommended. Check the barrel marking or ask us.
We stock .223 Remington rifles from Tikka, Sako and other leading brands, hold varmint, hunting and match ammunition in bulk, and carry dies, brass and projectiles for reloaders. Firearms are shipped Australia-wide to your nominated dealer.
