7.62 vs .308

simpleton

simpleton

BANNED
BANNED
BANNED
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
32   0   0
Location
Red Deer, AB
Alright guys I recently bought an M-14 and have not even had the chance to shoot it yet. What is the real story on using .308win from a 7.62 platform. I already understand some of the head spacing and possible slam-fire issues, as well as powder charge for gas driven semi's. But I want to know, has anyone actually had a problem, or is this just fear mongering and rumor.
Hell while we're at it, how about firing .223rem from a 5.56mm platform???

It really would be nice to know.:runaway::stirthepot2:
 
I've put about 80 rounds of commercial .308 through my M14S with zero problems. Haven't had the headspace checked yet but I do plan to get it done soon.

From everything I've read on multiple sites/forums on the internet, opinion seems to be 50/50 on the issue with M14, M1As in general. From what I've been able to gather, the headspace/soft bolt/etc etc etc issues specific to Norc M14S's all come from their old versions ie; 1980s, early 90s, and their new stuff is now fine and of much higher quality.

It's a good idea to get headspace checked anyway but the "problem" seems to be blown out of proportion.... It's also worth noting that there has NEVER been a reported major malfunction with Norc's M14s due to using .308.
 
Last edited:
Assyrian said:
What happens when all this surplus 7.62 hit our shores? We can't shoot it? Will my gun blow up? My M14s says .308. Is there surplus .308?
Click to expand...

That's another thing... around here surplus 7.62 is near impossible to come by short of ordering it by the crate. If you don't want to spend all that money you're pretty much stuck with .308.

Also somebody who's an expert please correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I understand it, if you have correct headspacing for .308 you're good to shoot both, but if you're only good for 7.62 then that's all you can safely use.
 
brianp said:
I'll bet if you check carefully your M14 says .308 on it. Mine do.
Click to expand...

Most also have the name and address of the US importer, too.

As far as the reported problems and older versions go, keep in mind that the parts of these "new" rifles were made prior to the US embargo. The forgings weren't machined last week, or possibly even in this century. Newly assembled, yes.

There are differences between 7.62 and .308 cartridges. There are also differences in the headspace specs. Most 305s would appear to have acceptable headspace by 7.62 standards; many have generous or even excessive headspace according to SAAMI .308 specs. In any rifle, excess headspace will most likely become a problem when the cases are reloaded.
There are also concerns about primer sensitivity, and firing pin bounce on closing. It would seem that this is most likely to be a problem when improperly sized reloads are used, or when the action is allowed to slam shut on a round that has been placed in the chamber.

If anyone has evidence of a failure of one of these newly imported rifles when fired with .308 ammunition, I'm sure it would have been posted here.
My rifle will just barely accept a SAAMI .308 No Go. I wouldn't worry about shooting either 7.62 or .308 in it - or my own handloads.
 
Poparelli said:
I've put about 80 rounds of commercial .308 through my M14S with zero problems. Haven't had the headspace checked yet but I do plan to get it done soon.

From everything I've read on multiple sites/forums on the internet, opinion seems to be 50/50 on the issue with M14, M1As in general. From what I've been able to gather, the headspace/soft bolt/etc etc etc issues specific to Norc M14S's all come from their old versions ie; 1980s, early 90s, and their new stuff is now fine and of much higher quality.

It's a good idea to get headspace checked anyway but the "problem" seems to be blown out of proportion.... It's also worth nothing that there has NEVER been a reported major malfunction with Norc's M14s due to using .308.
Click to expand...

There was a post on here a year ago or more, where a fellows M14S KB'd.......do a search and you should find it.
 
for what it's worth, my norc m-14 would become a bolt action rifle when I used my surplus m80? 7.62 ball ammo out of it. When I used .308 ammo, or reloaded my 7.62mm brass to .308 specs, it works just fine.
 
Hitzy said:
There was a post on here a year ago or more, where a fellows M14S KB'd.......do a search and you should find it.
Click to expand...

I did see that already. From reading that thread and looking at the pictures, it would appear that the kb was due to a problem with the barrel; either weak metal or over-torqued. I don't see anyone including the poster himself pointing the finger at .308. :confused:
 
simpleton said:
Alright guys I recently bought an M-14 and have not even had the chance to shoot it yet. What is the real story on using .308win from a 7.62 platform. I already understand some of the head spacing and possible slam-fire issues, as well as powder charge for gas driven semi's. But I want to know, has anyone actually had a problem, or is this just fear mongering and rumor.
Hell while we're at it, how about firing .223rem from a 5.56mm platform???

It really would be nice to know.:runaway::stirthepot2:
Click to expand...

Google it. Check the headspace of YOUR rifle.
Disassemble the bolt, use SAAMI gauges, if it swallows FIELD gauge, you
are shooting outside SAAMI specs. To see by how much use "feeler" gauges
between the receiver and bolt lugs.

I had a 1.640" headspace on one rifle, after putting in TRW bolt, the bolt
fully closes on 1.636" gauge, and is airtight. Nothing closes fully above
1.636".

What you want is the headspace below 1.6380" to shoot BOTH .308 Win AND
7.62 NATO with some degree of confidence.
 
I'm shooting Win/Fed .308 and resized to .308 IVI brass outta mine. Is'nt .308 Win just the commercial name given to the military ctg 7.62?? Afterall, Winchester was the company to manufacture the 7.62 way back when the US Army wanted a new shorter ctg. Maybe people are reading too far into the .308 & 7.62??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom