Just put my name down for an M305 at Marstar...

rdelliott

rdelliott

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Figured it was about time; sadly, I can't afford two at the moment. One (n00b) question for the board: what have you guys been shooting out of yours? I gather that surplus 7.62X51 is getting hard to find, and I've heard that shooting .308 Win out of a 7.62 surplus gun can be unsafe. Will I be able to shoot average-powered .308 from my Norc, or should I stick to surplus 7.62X51?
 
.308 and 7.62X51 are interchangable, thats a false myth that you can't use one in the other.

I generally shoot south african surplus ball from the 60s, 140 rounds for 30 bucks.. cant go wrong..
 
I haven't had any problems using facory hunting ammo in either of mine.
There is still some surplus stuff around other than thta it's reloading time.:wave:
 
From 6mmbr.com

.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. For more information on this interesting topic, read the following articles: Gun Zone's 30 Caliber FAQ; Cruffler.com Technical Trivia, June 2001; and last, but not least, Steve Redgwell's .308 vs 7.62x51 Analysis, which really provides a definitive explanation. 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.
Click to expand...
 
I've been shooting surplus ball. 7.62 x51 and .308 cartridges have same exterior dimensions but ballistics and pressures are different - run a search on this site there are porbaby detailed discussions of the differences (can't remember if the m305 barrel is specced .308 or not). The consensus generaly seemsto be that a light diet of .308 will not hurt it.

Surplus ball seems to hit the Canadian market in large quantities, last for a few months or a year and a bit, which is then followed by shortages for 6 months to a year until the importers ( districorp, marstar?, etc) find suppliers and bring a boatload in. The prioblem in Canada is if you find a new supplier you have to have the ammo tested by NR Canada before importing it which adds time to the process. Right now i'm running Hirtenberger and Portuguese surplus both of which work well. Was going to try the South African stuff but I waited too long and now it's disappeared.

The best strategy seems to be to plan to have a year's supply on hand to keep you going in times of scarcity.
 
My Norinco M14S.M305 is marked at 308 Win. I am been shooting both surplus (South African and Canadian) and Winchester .308 Win with no issues.

The ".308 Win vs. 7.62x51" question should not be an issue with any M14/M1a/M305's that are marked as .308 win.

/cl
 
BBq_Woa! said:
.308 and 7.62X51 are interchangable, thats a false myth that you can't use one in the other.

I generally shoot south african surplus ball from the 60s, 140 rounds for 30 bucks.. cant go wrong..
Click to expand...


where are you getting this ammo? You must tell us all. Damn for that much I'll by 2 crates on the spot.
 
Hi,

There is a difference between the ammo's stated, but to the untrained eye you will never be able to pick it up. Remember the Norc 305 is not an old gun, refurbished, they are brand spanking new and have excellent barrels. I have one left original and one socom'ed and they both shoot great. There are a few nice but not absolutely necessary after market parts that will make them shoot even better. Have fun with your 305 and get someone to take a picture of your facial expression after your first grouping with it, I wish I had!!


Steve
 
This IS a copy of an AMERICAN wartime firearm. :D

I think the danger is in using 'magnum' or hot loads in the M14s/M305. The gas system was originally designed for the 148g. pill. I have shot both IVI and Winchester 150g. silver points through mine and it liked both of them.
 
SteveS said:
Hi,

........ Remember the Norc 305 is not an old gun, refurbished, they are brand spanking new and have excellent barrels. ......... Have fun with your 305 and get someone to take a picture of your facial expression after your first grouping with it, I wish I had!!


Steve
Click to expand...


What kind of accuracy should one expect? 2" MOA? Better? Worse?
(of course with good ammo)
Just wondering, for a $400 rifle what should one expect?
 
Assyrian said:
What kind of accuracy should one expect? 2" MOA? Better? Worse?
(of course with good ammo)
Just wondering, for a $400 rifle what should one expect?
Click to expand...

I just sighted in mine (totally unmodified, with Marstar tactical mount and Leapers 3x9 armored scope) and accuracy was good. I was using factory, but inexpensive ammo, and it was my first day with the rifle and I was shooting just over 1.5 MOA. With good ammo I'm sure my gun hits 1 MOA.

I'm waiting for the boat from China too. Need a spare...
 
Any updates with the stock? I want to buy one but it seems every place I call "just sold their last one" :rolleyes:.

I tried calling Marstar but the lady transfers me to an infinitely ringing phone.
 
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