m14 in 308 VS 7.62?? confused newb needs help

mustang979

mustang979

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So in my planning for my first rifle, I think I've decided that I would prefer something close to a DMR rifle. I'm admittedly one of the few who is not a fan of the AR platform so I don't want to go that route (and I don't have a restricted permit so it doubly isn't an option).

The m14 has always had a place in my heart and I think I could have alot of fun with one. What is throwing me off however is the caliber/ammunition. .308 and 7.62 are VERY close and up until I started to read up onto it more, I thought they were interchangeable. Now I know that the 308 generates higher pressure then the 7.62 and it may not be safe to fire 308 rounds in a 7.62 rifle.

Do you guys get surplus ammunition for your m14's? and if so, would you be so kind as to comment on how easy it is to acquire? I tried checking some of the suppliers listed above but came up dry.

Do you fire 308 ammo thru your 7.62 m14's? If so is it factory ammunition or did you reload it to keep the pressure down?

Why do some websites advertise the norco m14 as 308 (frontier firearms) while others (marstar) advertise it as 7.62?
 
I fire 308 ammo in my norco m14 with absolutley no problem. I spoke with John at Marstar via e-mail a couple of days ago. He informs me that Marstar is having m14s built for them in Europe and may be available next spring. You might want to hang on until then. The quality should be good and it's hard to beat Marstars prices and warranty. Keep your powder dry!
 
At the end of the day run with what you feel comfortable with, I mix and match 762/308 and 556/223 all the time and have since the late 1980's, run what your rifle is marked if you are at all nervous:)
 
keep it under 168 grains in bullet weight and have fun i thought they were the same untill about 2-3 years ago an my m14 has been eating 308 suff since1994
 
the M14 will handle .308, but try and keep the bullet weight in the 150gr. The heavier ones(180gr) will cause damage if used regularly. So is my understanding.
 
KiLLGiLL said:
isn't there a m14 that shoots 6.8spc? what do you guys feel about this round? Does it shoot well in a m14?
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An M-14 in 6.8 SPC, as far as I know, doesn't exist.

But, Ruger does make a Mini-14 in 6.8 SPC. I'm sure I've seen them at Epps, but their web site doesn't list any right now.

As for the round, I've never used a rifle in 6.8, but I've heard glowing reviews about it, more punch and better ballistics than both the 5.56x45 and 7.62x39.
 
Surplus availability in any caliber is currently pretty sketchy unless it's 7.62x39.

I shoot/reload .308 in my 2007 Norinco. Like they say, keep it under the 168gr - heavier bullets will beat up your internals.

If you're cheap buy the cheapie Federal light .308 and save yer cases. Then buy one of these -

ht tp://www.wholesalesports.com/storefront/hunting/reloading/presses/classic-lee-loader/prod210823.html

Don't laugh, they work and they're cheap. I bought one in 7.62x54r when I ran out of surplus for my 91/30 rifles. If you're only reloading for one caliber and you're new, it's $$$ in yer pocket for other upgrades. The M14 is a real hoot but they do tend to suck up a fair bit of your pocket change getting them set up. :D
 
I run both types through both M305s that I have without a problem.. Just make sure to get the guns headspace checked to make sure its a go for both and you are fine...
 
"...thought they were the same until..." They were until the Internet came along. It was never an issue until then.
"...surplus ammunition..." Hard to find and expensive these days.
 
"...thought they were the same until..."
They were until the Internet came along. It was never an issue until then.

What Sunray said is basically the truest thing ever posted on the internet about .308/7.62, and M14 head spacing.

BOTTOM LINE ...
your Chinese M14 most likely can't tell the difference, unless you foolishly shoot lots of HOT .308 Win ammo loaded with HEAVY 180 gr bullets.

I wrote the M14 head space stickies and the .308/7.62 stickies [ which the OP should have read before he posted this question for the 1200 th time ] just to avoid having this discussion for the 1200 th time.

You know,
on re-reading my words of wit and wisdom regarding heads and spaces,
now I'm getting confused.

Maybe it is time for me to drink some more of my wife's special Christmas Hot Chocolate [ BAILEYS .... YUM!].
Maybe that will help sort out the confusion.
Maybe not?
[;{(
LAZ 1
 
chamber pressure for 308 and 7.62 are basically the same. The specs are writen for different measuring systems, so there is an apearence of a difference. (Something like 100kms lookig faster than 60 mph. it is, but not enough to bother with.)

Heavy bullets are loaded with slower powder, which increases the port pressure and can beat up the op rod. You could load heavy bullets with the same powder usully used for light bullets (4894) and shoot heavy bullets, too. Just avoid the commercial flavours.
 
Lazerus2000 said:


I wrote the M14 head space stickies and the .308/7.62 stickies [ which the OP should have read before he posted this question for the 1200 th time ] just to avoid having this discussion for the 1200 th time.
Click to expand...

sorry you had to repeat yourself. I tried looking thru the stickies but maybe I missed it :(
 
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