.308 and 7.62?

[indiver]

Just to clarify my dpms panther is stamped .308 but I can fire 7.62 with it correct? I know I should not fire 5.56 out of my mini-14 just .223 I just want to make sure if I can fire 7.62 from the .308. Thanks

 

[fergie22]

i believe the 7.62 x51 is the same round is the same as the .308 but none of the other 7.62 rounds are the same i.e. x39 x54 and such

semper fi

 

[indiver]

I just checked my ammo its nato 7.62x51 thanks fergie22!

 

[sloughfoot]

You can shoot mil-surp 7.62X51, NATO out of your DPMS. No worries..

Why do you think that you can't shoot 5.56 out of a mini-14? The minis all have long throats and are designed for either. Unless the new rifles have been changed......

 

[Bunnykid68]

Mini 14's are stamped with the caliber you should use. Some are stamped 5.56 and some .223

 

[Lex Concord]

While you may be able to fire milsurp 7.62 out of your DPMS, .308 and 7.62 NATO are NOT universally interchangeable.

It depends on the rifle's chamber and the round.

The general consensus seems to be 7.62 NATO milsurp is generally safe in rifles marked .308, but using .308 WIN in a surplus rifle chambered for 7.62 NATO can be dangerous.

The following are good places to start understanding the differences:

7.62 on surplusrifle.com

7.62 NATO info from the Fulton Armory site

YMMV & happy (and safe) shooting

 

[sakima]

7.62

I have always understood that the .308 and .223 were SAAMI specs which are held to a tighter standard than the NATO mil-spec 7.62 and 5.56. I recall reading that you can shoot both 7.62 and .308 in a 7.62 chamber, but you should not shoot 7.62 in a .308 chamber. The same holds true for the .223/5.56. I believe it is more of a pressure issue and not a dimensional issue.

I personally shoot 7.62/.308 in my mil spec rifles and only .308 in my bolt rifle.

I also recall reading that all "non-target" Mini 14's are chambered for the 5.56 even though some may say .223. I believe it was on the Mini 14 forum, but could not quickly locate the thread.

Just my .02

 

[Lex Concord]

The specs between the two are different.

The following does a good job at explaining the technical differences, the potential dangers of interchanging, and what steps you can take to be sure you are safe with your particular rifle's chamber and your ammo choice(s).
7.62x51mm NATO or 308 Winchester? What's the Difference?

 

[Slapstick]

Just a quick note. All Mini's except the target version are actually chamber for 5.56. If I wasn't at work I'd link you to the Ruger manual but I've got several and they all state in the manual that they are chambered for 5.56 just stamped .233. Why, I don't know but it is plainly stated by Ruger.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

For the Ruger Mini-14 issue:

READ YOUR MANUAL. On either page 11 or page 12, it plainly says that you can use EITHER 5.56 Nato or .223 Rem in your Mini-14. This us unless you have the Target version, then it's .223 Rem only.

Go to Ruger's website (Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.) Then to the Customer Service tab, then to Instruction Manuals & Product History. Open the appropriate manual for your rifle's serial number.

Now, for OTHER 223/556 rifles, you do need to be diligent on chambering / ammo.

Not so much with the Mini-14

 

[Aszerigan]

5.56mm Nato fires at higher pressures (38,500psi) than .223 (36,000psi). The internal volume of the casing is different since the wall thickness of the 5.56 Nato is greater. This is also the case for 7.62x51 Nato vs .308.

If your gun is chambered for .308, shoot .308. If its chambered for 7.62x51, then shoot that. You should never shoot 5.56mm ammo in a .223 rifle, and the same goes for the .308's. Not saying that people don't - just saying that they're different cartridges.

Weigh a piece of Remington 308 brass and compare that to the weight of a LC 7.62x51. The LC is significantly heavier, and is made up of more brass.

Just because two rounds have the same specs on the outside doesn't mean they're the same specs on the inside, or shoot the same way. Shoot what the rifle says, not what "looks right."

 

[indiver]

I have shot a few rounds of 5.56 from my mini-14 10 years ago. I will go to the website and research. I have a AR-15 so I can always use my 5.56 I think I'll stick to .308 for my DPMS.

 

[Slapstick]

I have shot a few rounds of 5.56 from my mini-14 10 years ago. I will go to the website and research. I have a AR-15 so I can always use my 5.56 I think I'll stick to .308 for my DPMS.

All the Ruger manuals can be found here Ruger Instruction Manuals & Product History . It's kind of interesting to read through them and see how the legalize has changed over the years. Anyway on the the mini manuals starting from the beginning, they all state " standardized U.S. military, or factory loaded sporting cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice."

Again the exception is the target version which specificly states to use Remington .233 only. (page 12 of the current manual).

 

[indiver]

Mine is not the target version so I'm good to go.