AIA No. 4 Mk. 4 question

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I hope this hasn't been answered before, as the search function isn't working for me right now.

I've been seeing a lot of information all over the internet regarding the interchangeability of .308 rounds and 7.62x51 rounds.

Can I use factory .308 ammo in my new AIA rifle? Anyone who has one of these rifles use factory .308?

I'm so confused...
 
Its supposed to have been built from modern steel so as to take higher pressure rounds than the old No.4. One of my mates shoots both through his as surplus 7.62 x 51 isnt freely available at the moment.
 
They are dimensional twins. The 308Win is loaded approximately to 55,000 psi and the 7.62x51 is loaded to Nato standard 47,000 psi. I shoot both through my AIA and my DCRA #4. There isn't even a noticeable difference in recoil, though with similar weight bullets, the commercial stuff does shoot a bit higher and seems to be more consistant accuracy wise. Some say that US milsurp stuff is hotter than Nato spec. I've heard stories of problems with FNs because of this, but never experienced any myself. bearhunter
 
"...a lot of information all over the internet regarding..." Most of which is nonsense. Lots of shooters used both interchangeably, using factory hunting ammo, milsurp and reloaded ammo, with no fuss for eons before the Internet 'gurus' decided the two are different.
U.S. military ammo is loaded to NATO specs. There are lots of NATO countries that use it because they have no ammo factories. Don't ask me which ones though.
 
I hope this hasn't been answered before, as the search function isn't working for me right now.

I've been seeing a lot of information all over the internet regarding the interchangeability of .308 rounds and 7.62x51 rounds.

Can I use factory .308 ammo in my new AIA rifle? Anyone who has one of these rifles use factory .308?

I'm so confused...

I've read a bunch of stories about the differences between the two calibres. They are not identical. The rifle is actually chambered in 7.62X51, not .308.

Well worth reading up on the difference.

Some of the stuff I've read says the Nato loading is actually hotter than the commercial .308...it's very confusing, mainly because some use CUP pressures, some use PSI pressures and people get them all mixed up. There are also different case dimensions, headspace clearances and case capacities between the two calibres...

Some ammo companies have deliberately loaded their commercial .308 down, why? They have to make it safe to use in any .308 rifle out there, including old beaters, and they don't want to get sued.

The AIA is a very strong action. Don't use the really hot high performance .308 ammo in it. (although who knows, it would probably take it)

Basically, you could ask 100 experts and you'd get 100 different answers. YMMV.
 
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I've read a bunch of stories about the differences between the two calibres. They are not identical. The rifle is actually chambered in 7.62X51, not .308.

Well worth reading up on the difference.

Some of the stuff I've read says the Nato loading is actually hotter than the commercial .308...it's very confusing, mainly because some use CUP pressures, some use PSI pressures and people get them all mixed up. There are also different case dimensions, headspace clearances and case capacities between the two calibres...

Some ammo companies have deliberately loaded their commercial .308 down, why? They have to make it safe to use in any .308 rifle out there, including old beaters, and they don't want to get sued.

The AIA is a very strong action. Don't use the really hot high performance .308 ammo in it. (although who knows, it would probably take it)

Basically, you could ask 100 experts and you'd get 100 different answers. YMMV.

Bollox
 
If you are only punching paper why go with hunting loads that cost more because of the bullet?
FMJ is good enough (from a cost position)

Unlike those of you south of the border, 7.62 surplus isn't that easy to find up here these days...surplus ammo is in fairly short supply due to our govt's strict rules requiring it to be approved before it can be imported. I'm sure that's why he's considering .308, easier to find.
Personally, I'd fire .308 in an AIA rifle without any worries.

I have read a few really comprehensive articles about the differences between the two calibres, they are not the same.
 
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