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.308 win, .308 NATO???

Markus
Hi guys, I'm sure this has been covered before but, tell me one more time if you will, what's the difference between .308 Win and .308 NATO, and can the two be fired in the same rifle? Thanks[:I]
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • cpermd
    Search is your friend.

    CP
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  • tsr1965
    Markus,

    This topic has been covered here several times. The cartridges you are talking about are the 308 Winchester, and 7.62x51 NATO(not 308 NATO). As stated, there are several topics/threads on this subject, if you wish to use the search engine.

    The two are basically sporting the same external case dimensions, but the chamber's are throated a little differently. You can shoot 7.62 NATO in a 308 Winchester chamber, but it is not reccommended to shoot the 308 Winchester in some of the semi-auto 7.62x51 NATO chambered rifles. The 308 Winchester operates at higher pressures than the 7.62x51 NATO, and can damage parts in those said rifles, mainly op rods, and recoil buffer's, and/or batter reciever's.

    Best
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  • FEENIX
    Google is also another friend that awaits you. Type ".308 vs 7.62x51 NATO" and enjoy!
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    No such thing as .308 NATO.
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  • Markus
    Thanks for the info guys. Enjoy your sunday!![:o)]
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  • beantownshootah
    Oversimplifying, though both rounds can fit into either gun, the .308 Winchester round is potentially loaded to higher pressures and can be more powerful.

    I say "might" because some of the commercially available .308 ammo actually isn't loaded any hotter than 7.62x51 rounds.

    In practice, if you have a "ordinary" .308 Winchester bolt action type hunting rifle, you can shoot surplus 7.62x51 NATO ammo through it.

    If you have a 7.62x51 military type rifle (eg M1a [edit,. ok, maybe not, see below], Ishapore Enfield, etc), you might not want to fire commercial .308 Winchester rounds through it.
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  • nmyers
    Springfield Armory Inc indicates in their catalog that their M1A is chambered in "7.62 mm NATO(.308 WIN)", so they are apparently confident that their rifle can handle any factory load in either caliber.

    As for other M14-clone manufacturers, you have to ask them. Many are curiously silent on the subject.

    Neal
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  • the middle
    quote:Originally posted by nmyers
    Springfield Armory Inc indicates in their catalog that their M1A is chambered in "7.62 mm NATO(.308 WIN)", so they are apparently confident that their rifle can handle any factory load in either caliber.

    As for other M14-clone manufacturers, you have to ask them. Many are curiously silent on the subject.

    Neal


    as a owner of one of the said m-14 clones, I have shot both thru it for years now, with no ill efffects.
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  • 45er
    Aha... the proverbial can of worms-- thanks alot, Markus, ha!

    Searching this site for the .308/7.62-NATO will bring up loads of facts, remarks, personal experiences, what rifles are A-ok, what ones are iffy, what ones are No-Go. Search SAAMI web site, and they won't even give up all there is to give on the matter, even.

    So, as hazily recalled, I think I once mentioned what ammo I will use or won't use in my particular firearms of caliber in question is kept to myself. This after much study some time ago.
    In other words, this question does not appear in my inner voice: "Let's see-- I've shot 14,000+- rounds out this [fill in the blank]... will this be the singular cartridge that goes KABOOM and breaks the camels back?".
    Sorry, and no offense to any, whatever ones experience may be, but off the internet I prefer knowledge of hard facts. "Your milage may vary" is not an option that I prefer in this case.

    45er
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