.308 difference

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  • G_Stines

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    No. The .223 runs a little faster at the muzzle, but only carries around 12-1300 ft lbs of Muzzle Energy, where as the .308 is about 500ft secs slower but carries more than twice that energy because of it's weight.
     

    jeremy

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    is .223 more powerful than a .308?
    .308 has far more capabilities than a .223, however it also has additional limitations that should be considered as well.
    .308 will give you more Range, more Stopping Power, More Penetration.
    - One also must consider what is behind the intended target.
    -The weight of rounds is considerably more than .223, so if you are needing to operate at extended intervals from a Log Site this may have be a problem.
    - Over penetration could be concern if shooting in an Urban Landscape as well, how many walls do you want to shoot though...
    - Cost of Ammunition.

    Each round has it's pluses and minuses. Personally if you are not planning on shooting beyond 660 Meters I would use the .223. :popcorn:
     

    yotewacker

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    If you have a 556 you can shoot either a 223 or 556.
    If you have a 223, do not shoot 556 out of it due to chamber pressures.
     

    usmcdjb

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    You might also consider that a 223 isn't as hard on the shoulder to shoot as a 308 (as a 300 WM, as a 50 BMG)



    .308 has far more capabilities than a .223, however it also has additional limitations that should be considered as well.
    .308 will give you more Range, more Stopping Power, More Penetration.
    - One also must consider what is behind the intended target.
    -The weight of rounds is considerably more than .223, so if you are needing to operate at extended intervals from a Log Site this may have be a problem.
    - Over penetration could be concern if shooting in an Urban Landscape as well, how many walls do you want to shoot though...
    - Cost of Ammunition.

    Each round has it's pluses and minuses. Personally if you are not planning on shooting beyond 660 Meters I would use the .223. :popcorn:
     

    kludge

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    _223_v__308_by_sharky0922.jpg


    5.56mm NATO (5.56x45mm) is the ammunition designed for the M16 select fire rifle. It is loaded to slightly higher pressure than the .223 Remington (SAAMI version) of ammunition. However, CIP specs the same proof load pressure for both cartridges.

    The specifications of the case dimensions are practically identical. The chamber dimensions, however are specified differently, which is done because reliable feeding is very important in military rifles... much more important than accuracy. Leade length (the amount of barrel length near the chamber before you hit the rifling) is the major difference. The tighter chamber specs of the .223 Rem chamber can be more accurate for target and varmint rifles.

    The 7.62 NATO (7.62x51mm) and the .308 Winchester have similar military/civilian application history (the M14 rifle designed to fire the new shorter round than the old .30-06 with the 150gr bullet to the same velocity as the M1 Garand). The jury is out on whether the rounds are actually loaded to different pressures (some say the .308 is loaded to higher pressure, but this may just be the difference between the PSI and CUP standards of measurement). However military brass is thicker then .308 brass and care must be taken in reloading military brass to avoid over-pressure.

    The .308 Winchester is a much more powerful round than the .223 Remington. The .308 will fire a 150gr bullet at 2700-2800fps and the .223 will fire a 55gr bullet at 3100-3300fps.
     
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    sloughfoot

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    I was talking to a fellow today who thought the 7.62X39 was THE 308. He was not aware that the 308 Winchester is a totally different cartridge.

    OP was that you?

    Kludge did well by posting pics and an excellent explanation.
     

    U.S. Patriot

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    The 5.56 is loaded to a slightly higher pressure compared to .223. The throating is slightly different on the 5.56 case as well. However, .223 gives you a lot more choices if you buy factory loaded ammo. If you reload, you can use .223 or 5.56 cases to load either, I do. Also, 5.56x45 is the NATO designation. To the original poster. Go to an online retailer like MidwayUSA. You can look up and compare the stats on .223 compared to .308, IE: muzzle velocity, etc. Also, the .223 is .22 caliber bullet, where as the .308 is a .30 bullet.
     

    Icarry2

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    @chrstian_indy - Another consideration is that a .223/5.56 round is cheaper, lighter and you can carry more then .308/7.62x51 rounds.

    If your considering an AR platform there are major differences between an AR10 and AR15 platform, cost, mag cost, mag compatability, upper and lower compatability, etc....

    An AK47 uses a 7.62x39 round.. (same bullet as the .308/7.62x51 round but has a shorter case.. Sort of an inbetween round..

    If your new to rifles and shooting I think someone suggested a Ruger 10/22 and a couple thousand rounds of practice that is valuable.

    It is hard to learn to shoot a big rifle, practice, practice, practice and for that a 22 is the cheapest there is...

    Just my pennies..
     

    Mgderf

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    _223_v__308_by_sharky0922.jpg



    The .308 Winchester is a much more powerful round than the .223 Remington. The .308 will fire a 150gr bullet at 2700-2800fps and the .223 will fire a 55gr bullet at 3100-3300fps.

    ".308, Because people like to hide behind things..."
     

    jeremy

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    7.62, 5.56. Meh. Gunner, sabot, tank!

    120mm smoothbore: when you care enough to send the very best.
    Huh...

    I must have been in the Flowers, Rainbows, and Unicorn Farts part of the Army then...
    Steel Rain... ;)
    Nothing quite like smashing a square kilometer to tell someone to leave you alone...
     

    iChokePeople

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    Huh...

    I must have been in the Flowers, Rainbows, and Unicorn Farts part of the Army then...
    Steel Rain... ;)
    Nothing quite like smashing a square kilometer to tell someone to leave you alone...

    I will have to concede that DPICM makes me happy.
     

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