is there any difference in 5.45 x 39 and .223 Remington
 

I have always assumed they were the same but do not have a gun in that caliber.

Is ther actually a difference or are the one in the same.

One Commercial and one NATO names

There are many differences, but the most significant is the fact that the .223 Remington bullet diameter is 5.56 mm and the 5.45 x 39 is 5.45 mm. They are not interchangeable if that's what you are wondering.

very different cartridges indeed.

Yah the NATO round is 5.56x45.
muledeer

ok so the 5.56 x 45 is the equivelant to the .223 remington?

If I remember correctly, the NATO 5.56 is slightly thicker than the .223 but I don't remember by how much.

For MOST practical purposes, yes. It will take someone with more than my degree of expertise to explain the subtle differences, and more important, the effects of those differences on accuracy, reliability and safety.

There are very slight differences between the military 5.56 and the .223 Remmy, both in the ammo and in the way guns are chambered.

But they are more or less the same round. You can usually interchange them safely, as far as fit and chamber pressures are concerned. Bullet weight/length versus twist rate may not match, but that's another issue.

The 5.45x39 is a WHOLLY different round. External ballistics may be similar, but that's about it.

DaMadan
 

The major difference is the rifle it self. Check out this site http://www.thegunzone.com/556v223.html
Hope this helps!
muledeer

Re: DaMadan
 

by george I think I got it......

you can use both ammos (5.56 and .223) in a NATO chambered rifle but not the other way around.

The differences are really minor. The Nato round is a bit hotter.