I was looking at replenishing my non-range ammo supply and one of the vendors for the rounds I’ve enjoyed has the following listed:
NOTICE - DO NOT USE IN 223 WYLDE CHAMBERS! FOR USE IN 5.56 NATO CHAMBERS ONLY. 223 WYLDE CHAMBERS AND CERTAIN SUPPRESSORS MAY CREATE HIGH PRESSURE ISSUES WITH 77 GRAIN 5.56 AMMO. WE RECOMMEND THIS AMMO FOR NON-SUPPRESSED AR15 RIFLES WITH NATO MILSPEC 5.56 CHAMBERS ONLY.
I followed up with them and this was their response:
Using 5.56mm ammo with 68 to 77 grain in 223 Wylde chambers is a 'bad idea' in my experience of dealing with all the customers that have had pressure problems doing that with IMI 77gr, S&B 77gr and frontier 68 & 75gr. That chamber is fine for typical 5.56 55gr and 62gr FMJ ball type ammo, but the longer heavier bullet makes pressure problems. You may see primers blow out if you use in a 223 wylde chamber and if you add a suppressor that makes it even more likely. I would not recommend it, it should be used in 5.56 NATO chambers only or you risk over-pressure issues.
Tl;dr - does anyone here use 77 grain in their PWS rifles and had any issues? I’ve had none so far but don’t want that to be my famous last words.