Any idea on 308 win?

[RoadHogg]

Thanks AJ. Yea couldn't figure out how to become an expert overnight. I did quick search online but I was getting mixed results.

[atticus]

Thanks AJ. Yea couldn't figure out how to become an expert overnight. I did quick search online but I was getting mixed results.

You should be fine. Good on you for double checking though.

If you ever go with a smaller caliber, the 223 is very similar to the 5.56.

Happy shooting

[computermike]

Am I wrong in assuming if the firearm is labeled 7.62x51 you are safe to shoot .308 but not generally the other way around unless you have it from a credible source staing otherwise? Same for 5.56 vs .223?

[Alexe]

i think you got it backwards.

safe to shoot 7.62x51 in barrel labeled .308 but not other way

[Barnes_270]

Am I wrong in assuming if the firearm is labeled 7.62x51 you are safe to shoot .308 but not generally the other way around unless you have it from a credible source staing otherwise? Same for 5.56 vs .223?

You've got that backwards: if the firearm is labeled 308 you are good to go to shoot any 7.62x51 milsurp load. For a military firearm labeled 7.62x51 it's iffy if you can shoot hot 308 loads. In a strong action like a Mauser it's generally fine.

The 7.62x51 is loaded to a lower maximum pressure than 308 max pressure (SAAMI specs). The cartridge dimensions are the same.

[canucklehead]

The 7.62x51 is loaded to a lower maximum pressure than 308 max pressure (SAAMI specs). The cartridge dimensions are the same.

I'd clarify - the EXTERNAL dimensions of the round are the same, but internally 7.62 brass is going to be thicker, hence, smaller internal volume for powder.

[Coho]

The .308 is actualy the .308 Winchester.....

Short answer -- No they dont interchange...

Yes you can put 7.62X51MM in a rifle chambered in .308 and fire it safely ....

NO you can not take .308 ammunition and put it in a rifle chambered (labeled) 7.62X51MM.....

Read on......

.308 Win vs. 7.62x51--The Straight Scoop
Before we go much further, we want to address the oft-posed question "Are the .308 Winchester and 7.62x51 NATO one and the same?" The simple answer is no. There are differences in chamber specs and maximum pressures. The SAMMI/CIP maximum pressure for the .308 Win cartridge is 62,000 psi, while the 7.62x51 max is 50,000 psi. Also, the headspace is slightly different. The .308 Win "Go Gauge" is 1.630" vs. 1.635" for the 7.62x51. The .308's "No-Go" dimension is 1.634" vs. 1.6405" for a 7.62x51 "No Go" gauge. That said, it is normally fine to shoot quality 7.62x51 NATO ammo in a gun chambered for the .308 Winchester (though not all NATO ammo is identical). Clint McKee of Fulton Armory notes: "[N]obody makes 7.62mm (NATO) ammo that isn't to the .308 'headspace' dimension spec. So 7.62mm ammo fits nicely into .308 chambers, as a rule." You CAN encounter problems going the other way, however. A commercial .308 Win round can exceed the max rated pressure for the 7.62x51. So, you should avoid putting full-power .308 Win rounds into military surplus rifles that have been designed for 50,000 psi max.... Reloaders should also note that military ammo often is made with a thicker web. Consequently the case capacity of 7.62x51 brass is usually less than that of commercial .308 brass. You may need to reduce recommended .308 Winchester loads by as much as 2 full grains, if you reload with military 7.62x51 brass, such as Lake City or IMI.
Source(s):
http://www.thegunzone.com/30cal.html

http://www.303british.com/id36.html

[RoadHogg]

The .308 is actualy the .308 Winchester.....

Short answer -- No they dont interchange...

Yes you can put 7.62X51MM in a rifle chambered in .308 and fire it safely ....

NO you can not take .308 ammunition and put it in a rifle chambered (labeled) 7.62X51MM.....

Read on......

.308 Win vs. 7.62x51--The Straight Scoop
Before we go much further, we want to address the oft-posed question "Are the .308 Winchester and 7.62x51 NATO one and the same?" The simple answer is no. There are differences in chamber specs and maximum pressures. The SAMMI/CIP maximum pressure for the .308 Win cartridge is 62,000 psi, while the 7.62x51 max is 50,000 psi. Also, the headspace is slightly different. The .308 Win "Go Gauge" is 1.630" vs. 1.635" for the 7.62x51. The .308's "No-Go" dimension is 1.634" vs. 1.6405" for a 7.62x51 "No Go" gauge. That said, it is normally fine to shoot quality 7.62x51 NATO ammo in a gun chambered for the .308 Winchester (though not all NATO ammo is identical). Clint McKee of Fulton Armory notes: "[N]obody makes 7.62mm (NATO) ammo that isn't to the .308 'headspace' dimension spec. So 7.62mm ammo fits nicely into .308 chambers, as a rule." You CAN encounter problems going the other way, however. A commercial .308 Win round can exceed the max rated pressure for the 7.62x51. So, you should avoid putting full-power .308 Win rounds into military surplus rifles that have been designed for 50,000 psi max.... Reloaders should also note that military ammo often is made with a thicker web. Consequently the case capacity of 7.62x51 brass is usually less than that of commercial .308 brass. You may need to reduce recommended .308 Winchester loads by as much as 2 full grains, if you reload with military 7.62x51 brass, such as Lake City or IMI.
Source(s):
http://www.thegunzone.com/30cal.html

http://www.303british.com/id36.html

Thank you, I wanted to be sure. I read so many different things, I have read No you can't interchange it. Yes you can shoot 7.62 out a 308 but not vise versa, I have heard the other way around.
I was under the impression if it was 308, the 7.62x51 was fire. But I did not want to take a chance on it.

Thank you for the help on clearing this up

Time to invest in a crate of ammo.

[A.J]

Thanks AJ. Yea couldn't figure out how to become an expert overnight. I did quick search online but I was getting mixed results.

RoadHogg,
nothing wrong with asking , BUT read read and read i was like you when i started shooting
on the net you will find every thing

its good to c new shooters comming into this sport

happy shooting

AJ

[Barnes_270]

I'd clarify - the EXTERNAL dimensions of the round are the same, but internally 7.62 brass is going to be thicker, hence, smaller internal volume for powder.

Yes, thanks for clarifying that. Handloaders should never transfer load data straight into milsurp brass, but work up loads from "starting load" levels. You will develop max pressure sooner in milsurp brass because it has thicker walls.