Question for you rifle experts

[Shadowlawnskysthelimit]

Question is :
Can you shoot .223 caliber ammo in a .224 caliber Weatherby Varmitmaster ?
I’ve heard that .224 Weatherby ammo was proprietary to Weatherby and that due to a collar on the casing you can’t shoot . 223 ammo without damaging
gun ?

 

[doccherry]

Question is :
Can you shoot .223 caliber ammo in a .224 caliber Weatherby Varmitmaster ?
I’ve heard that .224 Weatherby ammo was proprietary to Weatherby and that due to a collar on the casing you can’t shoot . 223 ammo without damaging
gun ?

The two cartridges are not even close. I've owned both, shot a ton with them, handloaded, the whole deal. The .223 will chamber in the .224, but that is where the danger lies. Go to Wikipedia and enter each cartridge. Then look at the base diameter [.376 for 223, .415 for the 224]. Then check the rim diameter [.378 and .430]. You'll get a face full of gas if you put a .223 in the Weatherby. Then check the case length, because if you somehow stuck a .223 in a .224, that's what will result in a major headspace problem. .223 case length is 1.76 inches and the .224 1.92. The 223 will wobble in the .224 chamber, sideways and back and forth. I'm willing to bet that you can't shoot 3 or 4 .223's in a Weatherby without removing your face or blowing up the gun.

 

[ilovesprig]

The two cartridges are not even close. I've owned both, shot a ton with them, handloaded, the whole deal. The .223 will chamber in the .224, but that is where the danger lies. Go to Wikipedia and enter each cartridge. Then look at the base diameter [.376 for 223, .415 for the 224]. Then check the rim diameter [.378 and .430]. You'll get a face full of gas if you put a .223 in the Weatherby. Then check the case length, because if you somehow stuck a .223 in a .224, that's what will result in a major headspace problem. .223 case length is 1.76 inches and the .224 1.92. The 223 will wobble in the .224 chamber, sideways and back and forth. I'm willing to bet that you can't shoot 3 or 4 .223's in a Weatherby without removing your face or blowing up the gun.

Kevin,

In other words....DON'T DO IT!