New Gun Questions: Keltec SU16 in 5.56

[bearpaw]

I purchased a Keltec SU16C, this is a folding semi-auto 5.56, that weighs 4.7 pounds, I plan to carry it in my back pack when lion hunting. I haven't shot it yet, in fact I'm getting ready to buy the first ammo and see there aren't many options for hunting bullets. Since I have some .223 bullets I thought maybe I would buy some inexpensive ammo to play and then reload my hunting ammo. All of this has raised several questions?

Rifle Specs: http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/rifle/su-16c

5.56 Ammo:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/home/-223-rem-5-56%7C/pc/105625080/c/106599780/american-eagle-174-rifle-ammunition/734598.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2F223-rem-5-56%2F_%2FN-1104110%2B4294735520%2FNe-4294735520%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

Reload Dies:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/reloading/reloading-dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/535998780/rcbs-reg-rifle-die-sets/731753.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Freloading-dies%2Frcbs%2F_%2FN-1113654%2B1000004440%2FNe-1000004440%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_535998780%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

My gun is stamped 5.56 on the gun. I've heard varying answers to these questions.

1. Can I shoot .223 ammo in a 5.56?
2. Is the American Eagle 5.56 Ammo decent ammo?
3. Does the American Eagle brass reload OK?
4. Do I use .223 dies to reload 5.56?
5. Do I have to do anything special when reloading for 5.56?

[CP]

Nice.  I've looked at those from time to time but never pulled the trigger.


1. Can I shoot .223 ammo in a 5.56? - YES
2. Is the American Eagle 5.56 Ammo decent ammo? -YES
3. Does the American Eagle brass reload OK? - YES
4. Do I use .223 dies to reload 5.56? -YES
5. Do I have to do anything special when reloading for 5.56? - They usually have a crimped primer.  You have to ream that out

[bearpaw]

Thanks CP, after I get ammo I'll post how it shoots, here's a couple more questions.

1. Can I put 5.56 ammo in a .223 rifle?
2. If the ammo is nearly identical why do they make both?
3. How do I ream out a primer, I've never done anything like that?

[Mossy]

http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/ar-15-223-mil-spec-5-56mm-chambers/

[CP]

[bearpaw]

http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/ar-15-223-mil-spec-5-56mm-chambers/

That was a great info thanks, explained everything. I think my gun must have the mil-spec chamber so I should be able to shoot any of the ammo.

I had to go to youtube to see that video but it explained the crimp well, looks no different than deburring the case neck after trimming. THANKS

[bearpaw]

One more question for anyone who knows. This gun call for M16 style magazines, is that the same thing as a AR15 magazine?

[bearpaw]

I was thinking of buying this magazine if it will fit M16 style guns?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/magpul-moe-pmag-174-g2-30-round-magazines/1546445.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D%26No%3D20%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dm16%252Bmagazine%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%252BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26recordsPerPage%3D20%26search%3Dm16%252Bmagazine%26searchTypeByFilter%3DTopRated%26x%3D10%26y%3D6&Ntt=m16+magazine

[Fl0und3rz]

1-4. Yes. 

5. Liberal amount of sizing lube, or risk getting a case stuck. 

Don't need to ream primer pockets on .223, but if you bought milsurp brass or shot actual 5.56 NATO ammo, then, yes, it will have a primer pocket crimp that would need to be removed.

Yes on M-16/AR-15 magazines.  Can't go wrong with a pmag, but I would stay with Colt/Brownells/OK Industries/NHMTG/HK mags if doing metal mags.

[jay.sharkbait]

I was thinking of buying this magazine if it will fit M16 style guns?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/magpul-moe-pmag-174-g2-30-round-magazines/1546445.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D%26No%3D20%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dm16%252Bmagazine%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%252BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26recordsPerPage%3D20%26search%3Dm16%252Bmagazine%26searchTypeByFilter%3DTopRated%26x%3D10%26y%3D6&Ntt=m16+magazine

The mag should work/ fit etc.

Doesn't look like the rifle will fold with anything but a short magazine... Say 5 or a 10 rounder.

[baldopepper]

Dale- not sure how to put this.  I know what you mean, as does most everyone on this sight, but referring to this as your new "toy" is perhaps not the best way to word that.  I have a couple of anti gun friends (or perhaps I should say co workers as they are not really friends) who seize on this type of thing as an example of how lightly gun owners think of their guns ( or weapons as they prefer to call them). I know many on here don't give a care what these people think, nor do I to a certain extent, but in light of the recent events I hate to give them any more ammo (no pun intended) to work with.  Perhaps I'm a bit too sensitive on this issue, but living and working mostly on the westside where the majority of Washington voters reside, I'm  leery of what referendums they might come up with.  Perhaps out of place to bring this up, but perhaps also food for thought in these trying times. Hate to have to keep looking over my shoulder, but no question we are vastly outnumbered in this state.

[bearpaw]

Thanks everyone for your comments and help! 
Another Question:  My gun has 1:7 Twist, will that shoot lighter bullets like a 50gr or 55 gr ok?

Dale- not sure how to put this.  I know what you mean, as does most everyone on this sight, but referring to this as your new "toy" is perhaps not the best way to word that.  I have a couple of anti gun friends (or perhaps I should say co workers as they are not really friends) who seize on this type of thing as an example of how lightly gun owners think of their guns ( or weapons as they prefer to call them). I know many on here don't give a care what these people think, nor do I to a certain extent, but in light of the recent events I hate to give them any more ammo (no pun intended) to work with.  Perhaps I'm a bit too sensitive on this issue, but living and working mostly on the westside where the majority of Washington voters reside, I'm  leery of what referendums they might come up with.  Perhaps out of place to bring this up, but perhaps also food for thought in these trying times. Hate to have to keep looking over my shoulder, but no question we are vastly outnumbered in this state.

My whole life evolves around guns and hunting, didn't even give it a second thought, but I can see your point so I changed the title. 

[bearpaw]

I was thinking of buying this magazine if it will fit M16 style guns?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/magpul-moe-pmag-174-g2-30-round-magazines/1546445.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D%26No%3D20%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dm16%252Bmagazine%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%252BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26recordsPerPage%3D20%26search%3Dm16%252Bmagazine%26searchTypeByFilter%3DTopRated%26x%3D10%26y%3D6&Ntt=m16+magazine

The mag should work/ fit etc.

Doesn't look like the rifle will fold with anything but a short magazine... Say 5 or a 10 rounder.

OK thanks, I'll put the factory clip in the gun and carry a 30 for extra ammo.

[jay.sharkbait]

Dale- not sure how to put this.  I know what you mean, as does most everyone on this sight, but referring to this as your new "toy" is perhaps not the best way to word that.  I have a couple of anti gun friends (or perhaps I should say co workers as they are not really friends) who seize on this type of thing as an example of how lightly gun owners think of their guns ( or weapons as they prefer to call them). I know many on here don't give a care what these people think, nor do I to a certain extent, but in light of the recent events I hate to give them any more ammo (no pun intended) to work with.  Perhaps I'm a bit too sensitive on this issue, but living and working mostly on the westside where the majority of Washington voters reside, I'm  leery of what referendums they might come up with.  Perhaps out of place to bring this up, but perhaps also food for thought in these trying times. Hate to have to keep looking over my shoulder, but no question we are vastly outnumbered in this state.

Why not tell them to pound sand?

[bearpaw]

Trying to order ammo now, my gun has 1:7 Twist, will that shoot lighter bullets like a 50gr or 55 gr ok?