308 vs 7.62x51

[marxdspot]

Sorry if this has been brought up before, fellas. But I just wanted to get your take on this. This was the first time I heard this and I've been shooting for quite some time. This whole time, people who have sold me ammo in the past (vendors and private sales alike) have never warned me about the difference.

While finalizing a deal on ammo with a fellow calguns member, he had brought to my attention that 308 was different from 7.62x51 and the possible dangers with misinformed use. He briefly explained the differences with me and recommended I did some research. I tried doing a search in the Calguns forum, but found no reference. So, I did a couple searches. Well, here's what I've found and read:

http://www.smellysmleshooters.net/ammopressure.htm

http://www.thegunzone.com/30cal.html

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I summarized that it was okay to shoot both .308 and 7.62x51 in a rifle/barrel marked .308. However, it was not okay to shoot .308 in a rifle/barrel marked 7.62x51.

I checked my supposed 308 rifles and the only possible rifle that could be 7.62x51 NATO would be FAL. I say "could be" because I could not find any markings on my FAL barrel except on the Imbel receiver, which engraved (7,62) .308. I was told by the builder at purchase that my FAL was a SA kit built on an Imbel Logo receiver.

Prior to this, I have only purchased 308 and have been shooting 308 into my FAL. My questions are, are FAL's generally barrelled/chambered in 7.62x51 or 308 because the web seems to state that it is barrelled/chambered in 7.62x51? Second, if the FAL was indeed barrelled/chambered in 7.62x51 has any used 308 in it with any hitches? Finally, what is your take regarding the articles above?

Any help and opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Charliegone]

Yes you are correct. You can shoot .308 and 7.62 in a .308 barrel but not the other way around. As for the FAL, if it's an SA kit, it is most likely a 7.62 barrel.

[Standard]

In for this. Just bought a CETME (7.62x51) and wanted to know if I can shoot .308 out of it. The vendor said yes, but I've been reading different opinions all over.
When I'm shopping around for 7.62x51, they all also say .308.

[samuelkowal906]

You can safely, but if it is actually chambered for 7.62 it will damage the headspacing over time. The big issue here is going be with reloading and older milsurp guns that have been rechambered

This is an article i wrote based on my own research... not saying it is 100% absolute: read the last 3 paragraphs specifically.

http://www.guncentral.net/Articles/SAAMIvsNATO.html

best advice here is to talk to someone who knows what they are talking about at the manufacturer

[5hundo]

It's a general consensus that .308 and 7.62x51mm are interchangable.

While the rounds are not 100% identical, it is considered safe to shoot milsurp ammo in .308 rifles. That's the reason why I bought my Ruger M77 and Military ammo has never harmed my rifle at all...

I was shooting civilian ammo when my stock split...

[vf111]

Ahh, the infamous 308 vs 7.62NATO question:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/308vs762nato/index.asp

In a nutshell, 7.62NATO is not loaded as high typically as 308 so either can work in a 308 chambered gun if the 7.62NATO round will fit in the 308 chamber (some 308 chambers, especially varmint and hi-precision target guns, are tight and the slightly larger 7.62NATO won't fit). If you have a 7.62NATO milsurp like an FR8 or Mauser, you should stick w/ 7.62NATO as they're likely designed for the lower pressure 7.62NATO. Modern civilian clones of military rifles like the M1A, DSA SA58 (FAL), etc. are generally OK w/ both. YMMV

[Standard]

So what about something like this:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM716-5.html

Is it .308 or NATO?
I'm not sure what to put through my CETME

[5hundo]

So what about something like this:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM716-5.html

Is it .308 or NATO?
I'm not sure what to put through my CETME

I've got a Hesse R1A1...

I would suggest you use military 7.62x51 but not because any safety reasons. I've noticed that my rifle seems to be more proned to "bump-fire" when I use commercial ammo or ammo I've reloaded.

I'm told the metal that they use to make civilian primers is softer...

[darkest2000]

NATO means 7.62 which is what that link shows.

Your CETME should be fine with either.

So what about something like this:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM716-5.html

Is it .308 or NATO?
I'm not sure what to put through my CETME

[AngelDecoys]

Here's the headspace differences.

.308 GO 1.630"
.308 NO-GO 1.634"
7.62 GO 1.6355"
.308 FIELD 1.638"
7.62 NO-GO 1.6405"
7.62 FIELD 1.6455"

So while it is true that most rifles will be able to shoot both, the chambers are NOT the same. I highly recommend you have the head space checked. And with BOTH .308 and 7.62 guages (which many shops seem not to have). Be sure to use FIELD guages.

Example. I have an Ishapore 2A in 7.62. The bolt closes on the field .308, but not on the field no-go for 7.62. In other words, its a wall hanger for .308 (actually dangerous) but can shoot 7.62 suplus just fine.

[-hanko]

It's a general consensus that .308 and 7.62x51mm are interchangable.

While the rounds are not 100% identical, it is considered safe to shoot milsurp ammo in .308 rifles. That's the reason why I bought my Ruger M77 and Military ammo has never harmed my rifle at all...

I was shooting civilian ammo when my stock split...

7.26 is loaded to 50Kpsi max, SAAMI-spec .308 may be loaded up to 62Kpsi...certainly NOT a general consensus.

Beyond that, 7.62 may be actual NATO (look for a cross-in-a-circle headstamp),or other usually military ammo loaded to something other than NATO specs.

Marxdspot, the FAL is designed for NATO rounds that have a bullet weighing ~150 grains. Heaver ".308" loads will work, but you'll probably have to open up the gas regulator (maybe a lot). If your gas system is already set to the maximum vent position, don't shoot SAAMI ammo in bullet weights heavier than 150gr.

hth

-hanko

[Standard]

NATO means 7.62 which is what that link shows.

Your CETME should be fine with either.

Ok, I only asked because it says .308/7.62, not 7.62NATO, so I wasn't sure if it must say NATO or not.

[Standard]

My fault, it does say NATO spec in there. Sorry about that.

[target]

Does this sound right to you guys? I'm in the process of building a dpms .308 20 inch upper. It says on their site that the 20 inch barrel is .308 but is chambered in 7.62x51. So I asked the sales department if I can safely shoot .308s in their 7.62 NATO chambered barrel and I got a response saying that it was safe to shoot either round in their barrel. Am I asking for trouble listening to the sales guy?

[JTROKS]

Does this sound right to you guys? I'm in the process of building a dpms .308 20 inch upper. It says on their site that the 20 inch barrel is .308 but is chambered in 7.62x51. So I asked the sales department if I can safely shoot .308s in their 7.62 NATO chambered barrel and I got a response saying that it was safe to shoot either round in their barrel. Am I asking for trouble listening to the sales guy?

I haven't researched DPMS LR-308, but I'm betting it is safe to shoot 308 Winchester ammo through them. Armalite AR-10s are good to go with factory 308 ammo.