This might clear things up as far as ammo for the Mini 14. The Mini-14 Target models will NOT SAFELY FIRE 5.56x45. These rifles are chambered ONLY for .223 Rem. All other Mini-14s will safely fire 5.56 NATO or .223 interchangeably. Confusion happens when people see .223/556 marked on some Mini's and just .223 on others. Some countries won't let Ruger sell one anymore with the 556 designation simply because it's considered a military round so they don't print it on the rifle but it is designed/built to fire either.