Hi Everyone,

I recently got a new 783 in .223 and purchased some American Eagle .223 55 gr ammo "red box" from an online retailer (that I've previously done business with before). But what they sent me was the "black box" version that is recommended for AR style rifles.

I contacted Federal about this "black box" version of their ammo and received the response:

"it should say on the back of the box "Mil Spec primer, for best performance use in AR style firearms." If you use in a bolt action rifle you may encounter occasional misfires since the primer has a thicker cup and requires a harder firing pin strike such as the AR rifle delivers."

The online retailer also responded:

"The ammo you received should still be the correct ammunition just in a different box. The end of the box should have a part number that says AE223JLC. Federal has changed boxes on a couple different part numbers lately and is moving towards the box boxes for all 223/556 ammo.

Your bolt action should have no problem with the primers in this ammo as that component has not changed for that part number. If you do have any problems with it just let me know and we will gladly refund the amount you paid for that ammo."

I'm currently waiting to hear back from Remington, but my gut instinct is to not use the "black box" version of the ammo.

Does anyone have any thoughts on using this ammo in my 783?

Many thanks,

Scott

Welcome to the Remington Owners Forum Scott !!

Please introduce yourself to our community via the New Member Welcome Area...

Enjoy the forum.

"Mil Spec primer, for best performance use in AR style firearms." If you use in a bolt action rifle you may encounter occasional misfires since the primer has a thicker cup and requires a harder firing pin strike such as the AR rifle delivers."


With that manufacturer warning in place...I would find a different choice.

Why chance it...!?

Shooter13 ... thanks for the reply. It's what I was thinking, too.

It's a shame that the response from the online retailer customer support said it was OK to use it.

Luckily, I also purchased some Remington 50 gr JHP in the same order. But makes me not what to buy from them again.

Go with your gut, but I personally would listen to Federal, who makes the ammo, than the retailer. They probably don't want to deal with a return or refund, etc etc. Federal has no reason to sway your mind one way or the other. Just my opinion of course.....

As an update ... I got this from Remington's customer support:

"Yes, as long as it is .223 Remington it is safe you shoot. We do not recommend using 5.56NATO in a .223 Remington chamber. From what Federal is saying sounds like they are just using Mil=spec primers not the whole cartridge is not mil-spec."