7.62 nato in a .308???

[boogieman]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if my savage .308 will safely shoot 7.62x51 nato rounds. If I understand right a .308 will shoot 7.62nato but a 7.62nato wont shoot .308. Is this correct or not. thanks

 

[turnandshoot4]

My savage model 10 will shoot the crap out of some NATO rounds. Weather or not I'm supposed to

 

[Benny]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if my savage .308 will safely shoot 7.62x51 nato rounds.

All day every day.

If I understand right a .308 will shoot 7.62nato but a 7.62nato wont shoot .308. Is this correct or not. thanks

They are the same diameter, but 7.62 NATO rounds produce a lower pressure than the .308 Win can have, so you have to be careful with what you shoot.

 

[indykid]

You have it right, 7.62NATO in a .308 is ok.
.308 in a 7.62NATO is not recommended.

 

[xmas_asn]

You have it right, 7.62NATO in a .308 is ok.
.308 in a 7.62NATO is not recommended.

Heres another question.. The SA M1A is chambered in 7.62x51 NATO, but SA says its chambered for both in the manual...

 

[Manan]

Some of the dimensions on the 7.62 NATO round are just slightly smaller than a .308. So they work in a .308 but .308's won't work in a rifle specifically engineered as a 7.62 NATO.

 

[PistolBob]

Heres another question.. The SA M1A is chambered in 7.62x51 NATO, but SA says its chambered for both in the manual...

I fire .308 Win in mine with no issues.

 

[sepe]

All day every day.



They are the same diameter, but 7.62 NATO rounds produce a lower pressure than the .308 Win can have, so you have to be careful with what you shoot.

Fairly big difference in pressure too. Another issue with some rifles is splitting the case. If I shoot commercial .308 win out of my Cetme, I always make sure I have something to clear a stuck casing (been lucky as all of them have ejected no problem but you could tell a few had been stretched).

 

[Mordred]

i know people keep saying theres a difference but there really isn't. A nato 7.62 is a .308. Nato rounds are almost always 168gr while in the civ market you can buy all different kinds of grs. And hell no...no nato weapon would be effected by another kind(gr) ammo. Thats just nonsense.

 

[Bendrx]

It sounds to me like the same thing as .223 vs 5.56. They are not actually the same, but close enough that folks bicker about it. Yay for things such as these.....Your normally scheduled thread will now continue.

 

[kedie]

Heres another question.. The SA M1A is chambered in 7.62x51 NATO, but SA says its chambered for both in the manual...

I've shot both in mine with no problems. If your shooting .308, SA recommends nothing heavier than 168gr though. You run a greater chance of a bent op rod with heavier bullets. That's what I was told in an email from SA.

 

[Disposable Heart]

i know people keep saying theres a difference but there really isn't. A nato 7.62 is a .308. Nato rounds are almost always 168gr while in the civ market you can buy all different kinds of grs. And hell no...no nato weapon would be effected by another kind(gr) ammo. Thats just nonsense.

Nnnnno.

The NATO stuff was 147gr FMJ and .308 is not the same pressure as 7.62 NATO (.308 is higher by standard than NATO ammo).

 

[Tombs]

There's a little difference in where they headspace, IIRC.

308 in a 7.62 chamber will usually stretch, I wouldn't recommend it and neither would the firearm maker. Will it fit? Yea. Will it be safe? How lucky do you feel? SAAMI requires guns to be proofed at 125% their normal chamber pressures.

I'll just leave that as my 2 cents, and not over-exaggerate the issue like how it's usually put across.

 

[sig1473]

Nato rounds are almost always 168gr

False. NATO rounds are usually 145-147 grain. All my Port, Spanish, and German are NATO and are 147gr.

 

[sepe]

i know people keep saying theres a difference but there really isn't. A nato 7.62 is a .308. Nato rounds are almost always 168gr while in the civ market you can buy all different kinds of grs. And hell no...no nato weapon would be effected by another kind(gr) ammo. Thats just nonsense.

As already mentioned, the NATO are usually closer to 147gr. and a NATO weapon could be affected greatly by using commercial .308win because of pressure differences. Depending on the weapon, you could also have a long afternoon of fun trying to remove split cases. CETME platforms are known to stretch or even rip stuck cases in two. The pressure difference between the 7.62x51 and .308 win is about 12,000psi. It is nonsense to believe that there MIGHT not be issues, especially if the weapon hasn't seen proper care.

 

[indiver]

I think I should call DPMS and let the manufacturer have the last word.

 

[xHwyLT]

i know people keep saying theres a difference but there really isn't. A nato 7.62 is a .308. Nato rounds are almost always 168gr while in the civ market you can buy all different kinds of grs. And hell no...no nato weapon would be effected by another kind(gr) ammo. Thats just nonsense.

Bendrx; It sounds to me like the same thing as .223 vs 5.56. They are not actually the same, but close enough that folks bicker about it. Yay for things such as these.....Your normally scheduled thread will now continue.

Unfortunately the truth of the matter is that there is a difference for both these calibers.
A rifle chambered in .308Win will shoot 7.62mm Nato, without a problem, but a rifle chambered in 7.62mm Nato should not be used to fire .308Win. ammo.
A rifle chambered in 5.56mm Nato will shoot .223Rem, without a problem, but a rifle chambered in .223Rem should not be used to fire 5.56mm Nato ammo.
The reason for this situation in the .308/7.62mm, & the .223/5.56mm, is because of the difference in the chamber pressure, case wall thickness, & the leade (correct spelling). Look it up, if you don't know what it is.
The weight of the bullet has nothing to do with the issue other than to change the point of impact. Most military ammo is loaded with FMJ 147 - 150 grains, depending on the manufacturing country.
You can probably get away with using the ammo interchangeably, but in the long run, you will cause problems for the rifle chambered in 7.62mm and the .223Rem. I really wouldn't recommend it.

 

[sakima]

7.62 NATO

What a great thread. I sure had it all wrong. I thought you could shoot .308 in a 7.62 chamber but not vice versa.

On an internet search I found some info from the Gun Zone. There is a mention that even NATO spec loads are not created equal.

The Gun Zone -- .30 Caliber Ammo

 

[tsh3406]

Good info and illistrations....

7.62x51mm NATO or 308 Winchester? What's the Difference?

 

[purduepurdy]

I think I should call DPMS and let the manufacturer have the last word.

Exactly, their 7.62nato guns are made for both, while their 308s are for 308 only. Talked to one of their gun techs before ordering. I suggest doing the same or having an email on file. Love my LR308 Sportical.