Well it might sound like a stupid question, but is 7.62 NATO the same as .308, I mean can they be safely interchanged? I have read some of the threads and the average is sitting on the fence. Some say that the .308 should not be used in rifles chambered in 7.62, while others say it is fine. I heard that .308 has a higher pressure then 7.62 and should not be used in its place. I am asking because I am thinking of getting a m14, Maybe a Springfield M1A and I have nothing but time on my hands so i figured, why not ask?
7.62 same as 308?
- Thread starter LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1
- Start date
Check your headspace, 'tis all. That, and the stated pressures of the ammunition in question. Generally, should be okay, but let's hear from the others!
Pretty Much. They are NOT the same, nor should they be considered interchangeable, but that does not mean it can't be done with a little homework. NATO chambers are a smidge longer than civilian .308 win. This means the cases often stretch during obturation. No big deal to a durable one-time-use NATO brass, and a tough mil-spec barrel. In a civilian .308 win however, that brass is often thinner, lighter, and more prone to failure in the longer chamber.
In your old surplus rifle, as long as you are not looking to run custom or overly hot loads, and you have a decent unmodified rifle, there is likley no big safety issue. If you have an older pre-WWII rifle or a conversion, you could be looking at safety issues. There is a greater chance of the civvy win. ammo developing higher pressures, and therefore a greater chance of a double failure (case, chamber/bolt).
In my days with the old FN C1's (FAL) and even older surplus ammo, I have seen many ruptured cases. Sometimes surprising, and often frustrating, the rifles held up just fine. They were designed too.
My recommendations (take it FWIW):
1. Thoroughly inspect and measure the chamber of your new surplus rifle to ensure it is not too far out of spec. Mass production by the lowest bidder can create significant variances. If you aren't an expert, pay a good smith to do it.
2. Don't use civvy ammo in pre-WWII converted rifles like the old mausers. You are asking for a messy failure.
3. Don't reload the brass used in a surplus rifle. Some experts may with thorough resizing. Read: EXPERTS!
4. EXPECT FAILURES! They will happen on occasion, so wear shooting/safety glasses. A good recommendation with any older rifle anyway.
5. Don't ever try to "jam" surplus NATO ammo in a civvy rifle chamber. If it is stretched, the bolt may not lock, and you will get hurt!
You pays your money, you takes your chances...
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99% yes. Ammo is the same, rifles are not. Most people don't know and create stupid rules and myths. 308 is a civil designation for 7.62x51. 303 or 308 or 30-06 is english/american way to describe the ammo, while 7.62x51, 6.5x55, 7x57 is a European style.
Finally, the maximum allowed pressure in 7.62 Nato is lower than 308 because some rifles (old stock) were re-bored to accommodate it. Thus, any commercial 308 will shoot 7.62 without the issue. Old re-bored rifle may crack on the hot 308 load (commercial ammo is never hot, reloads could be). 308 barrel has a shorter throat, while 7.62 has longer one so the pressure wouldn't build up as quickly as it could.
PS. Some measurements can differ between 308 and 7.62 simply because one is metric and one is inch... however, the difference is within permitted "error" for either round.
