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.308 Win.

Benjie
Experts,

Could you please explain the difference between
the .308 Win and the 308? Is the ammo interchangable?
Is one favored over the other?
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • nmyers
    There is no "308". Could you mean, "What is the difference between .308 WIN & 7.62 mm NATO?"

    Neal

    EDIT: So, the best answer to your question is: "It depends." It depends upon which rifle & which round you are discussing. Springfield Armory Inc's website & catalog state that .308 WIN & 7.62 mm NATO can be used in their M1A interchangeably. This may or may not be so for M14-clones made by other manufacturers; when in doubt, check with the manufacturer. OTOH, attempting to fire a 7.62 mm NATO cartridge in a .308 WIN bolt action rifle could result in catastrophic failure; as above, follow manufacturers instructions.
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  • Benjie
    I think you are correct sir.
    Thanks
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  • mark christian
    Some of the differences are case thickness, chamber length and pressure. 7.62x51 NATO has a thicker wall,.013" longer, and hotter pressure.

    rimless2JPGw300h266.jpg

    thicknessJPGw300h224.jpg

    By the way, just to show you guys I am honest: I lifted this from one of the five dozen other threads on this same question.
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  • Benjie
    Well excuse me for disturbing you, christian!!!!!!!!!
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by mark christian
    Some of the differences are case thickness, chamber length and pressure. 7.62x51 NATO has a thicker wall,.013" longer, and hotter pressure.
    rimless2JPGw300h266.jpg

    thicknessJPGw300h224.jpg

    By the way, just to show you guys I am honest: I lifted this from one of the five dozen other threads on this same question.


    I don't think that is correct overall. I do believe, that because the 308 Winchester runs at higher pressures, it is suggested not to shoot the 308 winchester in the M1A. Something, about that it bends the op-rods? Is this correct? Same with the 30-06 M2 Ball round in the Garand...commercial 30-06 can, and will bend the op-rod?



    To the original poster....

    The 308 Winchester, is the most common, and most popular of th 308 labled cartridges. It has been chambered in about every action type available. The other 308's that I know of are the 308 Norma Magnum, and the 308 Marlin Express. I am sure there are other's, but they are not interchangable.

    Hope this helps your understanding.

    Best
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  • sandwarrior
    And, with all this said, .308 Winchester is commonly referred to as "308"

    And I concur with TSR, .308 is hotter than 7.62x51 NATO, even though both cartridges have the same outer dimensions. Do note that the opposite occurs with the smaller more popular NATO round, the 5.56x45. It has the exact same outer dimensions as the .223 but is loaded hotter. Meaning one rule does not always apply to interchangeable military/civilian brass.
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  • mark christian
    quote:Originally posted by Benjie
    Well excuse me for disturbing you, christian!!!!!!!!!


    Trust me; if you start to disturb me you will know it. In the mean time just relax.
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  • Benjie
    Thanks Guys, I appreciate the info. It answers my questions.
    Apparently it upset christian because I had not read all the
    posts since G. B. began.
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  • mark christian
    Post #10 and done and you can call me Mark and not by my surname alone.

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=306339
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