I'm preparing to build an AR from a stripped lower and I'm looking for web sites to order parts from mainly a .223 wylde barrel. I'll take any and all suggestions since this is my first AR.
No matter what you do, keep with the same manufacture all the way through, as soon as you start interchanging parts, the problems start. If you havent purchased your lower yet, go 5.56 instead of .223, that way you can shoot both, not the best idea to run 5.56 in a .223 but not impossible either.
I built a very nice, somewhat cost effective, AR using a Plum Crazy lower and a Palmetto State Armory 16" mid length upper with a SS barrel. It has a wylde chamber and is marked .223 and consumes 5.56 (Mainly XM855LC) 62gr just fine. With the Magpul hand guard with the angled foregrip and their rear backup sight, it is a pleasure to shoot, pretty accurate and not too heavy. I really enjoy my first AR.
You do not have to keep with the same manufacture, that's one of the great things about the AR platform, it's practically plug 'n play. You do have to watch Colt as it can be very proprietary with non standard pins.
Better off getting a barrel with 5.56 NATO chamber. The difference is the leade.. You'll be able to use both .223 Rem and 5.56mm NATO ammo in it.
Lots of good parts out there if you can find 'em in stock. And you can buy parts from other vendors to assemble it (look for MIL-SPEC parts). Are you building the upper from scratch as well or planning to buy an assembled upper? Will this be a carbine length barrel or longer like a 20" or 24" varmint build.. Either way good luck and post pictures when done..
The .223 Wylde chamber is designed to handle both the .223 and the 5.56mm. The difference in the .223 and the 5.56mm to worry about is the difference in the pressure developed by the 5.56. The 5.56 is a higher pressure round than the .223 is. Both my Colts are marked .223 on the Lower while the barrels are stamped 5.56.
What's important is the upper, many "ar15" lowers are marked multi caliber because they can be used with many different uppers ranging from a .22 to 50 cal. Always use the correct ammo for your barrel, anyone that tells you it is ok to fire 5.56 in a barrel marked .223 is playing Russian roulette with your safety. They are writing a check you may pay with your life.
Also you do not need to use the same parts from the same manufacturer. If you want real reliability look for parts that are mil spec. Any manufactures mil spec ar15 upper can go with any mil spec lower, with any mil spec stock... You get the point. Manufacturers save money by using lower quality steel or not being as through with their testing. You have to buy what you need and what you can afford. Maybe lower quality parts means you jam on your 1000 shot instead of you're 10000 shot which may be acceptable for what you want. Just don't go so cheap it hand on your first shot.