7.62x51mm from 308 win rifle

[alokhinv]

I recently purchased Browning AB3 Comp Stkr, NS, 308; caliber 308 WIN and wondering if I can shoot Hirtenberger - .308 Win (7.62x51), 146gr, FMJ from it.

On the back of the round it does not say 308 win, but it says HP 71 1

Specifications:
• Caliber: .308 Win (7.62x51mm)
• Weight: 146gr
• Bullet Style: FMJ
• Casing: Brass Cased
• Muzzle Velocity: 2741 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 2428 ft. lbs.

Thank you.

 

[Conscript]

You can shoot any 7.62 Nato round out of a .308, but not the other way round.

 

[alokhinv]

Thank you

 

[jonnyc]

Commercial .308 chambers are often a bit tighter than military 7.62 chambers, but cartridge-wise, the two names equal the same round.

 

[Bubba Yugga]

My 783 is just fine with Hirtenbergers.

 

[zuke]

I use ball in my Remington 788

 

[blasted_saber]

Its fine.

 

[Ganderite]

The two rounds are about the same dimensions and loaded to the same pressures.

Shoot anything you want in a commercial rifle.

 

[Bubba Yugga]

The two rounds are about the same dimensions and loaded to the same pressures.

I thought reliable usage in machine guns required a lower pressure limit than commercial?

 

[1-trident-1]

I thought reliable usage in machine guns required a lower pressure limit than commercial?

rifles and MG use the same rounds, ask a reloader.

 

[Ganderite]

I thought reliable usage in machine guns required a lower pressure limit than commercial?

No. 7.62 and 308 are loaded to almost identical pressure limits. (Around 62,000 psi max).

The main difference is the case head hardness. A military round has a spec for a hard head so the MG extractor does not rip the rim off.

Military cases usually have thicker webs, so their internal capacity is less. Although loaded to the same pressure as a 308, they tend to have a bit less velocity, due to reduced powder capacity.

If using military cases, drop commercial brass powder charges by about 2 grains.

 

[Bubba Yugga]

Cool, thanks!

 

[sgt.rock]

5.56 nato is usually loaded about 7k psi higher than .223rem. (62,000psi 5.56nato, 55,000psi .223rem)
7.62 Nato is generally loaded the same or even a bit weaker than .308win.
So yes, it is safe for you to shoot 7.62 in a .308win rifle. Not so with the smaller 5.56nato round in a .223rem. People get the pressure specs mixed up between the 2 often.

 

[maynard]

5.56 nato is usually loaded about 7k psi higher than .223rem. (62,000psi 5.56nato, 55,000psi .223rem)
7.62 Nato is generally loaded the same or even a bit weaker than .308win.
So yes, it is safe for you to shoot 7.62 in a .308win rifle. Not so with the smaller 5.56nato round in a .223rem. People get the pressure specs mixed up between the 2 often.

Since we are now in the internet age there must be thousands of pictures of blown up .223Rem rifles that have fired 5.56NATO ammo. Could you please send a link to back up your statement?

 

[Bubba Yugga]

Since we are now in the internet age there must be thousands of pictures of blown up .223Rem rifles that have fired 5.56NATO ammo. Could you please send a link to back up your statement?

Are you serious? Just Google "5.56 vs .223".
Nobody said they're being blown up. Just that damage is possible from overpressure.

 

[maynard]

Back in the 90's it was very common for DCRA shooters to have a short range (under 600 yards) .223 rifle and a long range .308 rifle. Ammo was DND issued IVI ammo in 5.56NATO and 7.62NATO. Thousands and thousands of 5.56 and 7.62 rounds were fired in rifles chambered in .223Rem and .308Win without a problem.

 

[jonnyc]

.....millions upon millions.....