7.62 x 39mm cartridge vs. .308?
I know that the Ruger Mini-30 is chambered for the 7.62 x 39mm cartridge. But that's about ALL I know about that cartridge. Can someone explain the difference in that and the .308? And is the 7.62 "NATO" the same as the .308? And can the Mini-30 shoot the .308 or the "NATO" round? [?][?]
May be really dumb questions, but I'm really dumb with regard to this matter. Please help. [:I]
Thanks. [^]
P.S. If your comment is only to say how dumb my question is, please re-read the above and save your time and energy. I KNOW already! [V]
May be really dumb questions, but I'm really dumb with regard to this matter. Please help. [:I]
Thanks. [^]
P.S. If your comment is only to say how dumb my question is, please re-read the above and save your time and energy. I KNOW already! [V]
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Yes, the .308 Win. and the 7.62 NATO are essentially the same cartridges (although some of our more techincal members will get more.....well....technical about the little bit of difference). But, generally speaking, they are interchangeable without worry. As for the difference between the .308/7.62mm and the 7.62x39mm--it is considerable. The 7.62x39mm comes in powerwise a bit below the .30-30 Win.; whereas the .308/7.62mm is closer to the .30-06 cartridge. What is best for you is determined by what you intend to use it for. All are great for punching paper or deer hunting. A 7.62x39mm might come in a little light for Kodiak Bear!!!!![:D] 0 -
The mini 30 shoots the 7.62x39mm Cartridge, The .308 and 7.62 NATO are 7.62x51mm So the mini30 will not shoot the .308 nato round. If you want a mini 14/30 type rifle chambered in .308, get a m14. 0 -
if you want to be accurate, dont shoot the 7.62x39, there not a very accurate round, there is one thing that they are good for, and thats assult rifles. they also arent a very good hunting round either, i would go with the 308, which is the same thing as 7.62x51, which is the nato round. 0 -
Also, you get yer ammo price.. 2.10 for 20 rounds of 7.62x39, or you get 15$/20rds of 308... If you get a 7.62x39 upper for the bushmaster or colt, you can get easily 1/2inch groups at 100 yards with 7.62x39 0 -
Well the .308 round is also known as 7.62x51mm. The .308 is the non military loading of the 7.62 Nato. From what I understand there is a SLIGHT spec difference being in powder ammounts and volicty (sp) of the round. For the most part .308 and 7.62 Nato (7.62x51mm) are intercangeable. There are some exceptions that some of the others on here can answer for you, I am not sure what they are. The 7.62x39mm and the 7.62 Nato are totaly different other then the fact the bullet size is .30cal (7.62mm). The .308 or 7.62 Nato can NOT be fired in a Mini-30 which is chambered for the 7.62x39. I am not sure if you know how bullets are mesured but the standard US commercial way is in Caliber which is fractions (.50 cal = 1/2inch) and where as most militay and forign stuff is mesured in the metric system (.50 cal = 12.5mm). So to put this all together any .30 cal gun (.30 carbine, .30-30, .308, .30-06, ect) have 7.62mm diameter bullets. Hopfuly all this makes sense to you.
John0 -
Ramtinxxl,
It's not dumb if you don't know the answer. Here are a couple of drawings that illustrate the size difference between the 7.62x39 and the .308 Win./7.62x51 Nato.
And now the technical difference between the .308 Win. and the 7.62x51 Nato0 -
nononsense, cool graphics, thanks
Alleno0 -
THANK YOU, one and all who responded to my questions! You've proven that people on this forum can give rational, HELPFUL answers without seasoning them with unsolicited opinions and other B.S.
THANKS, again, for restoring my "faith" in GB forum! And of course, thanks for the useful seminar on the 7.62 rounds in question.
SALUTE![^]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Sir Martin
if you want to be accurate, dont shoot the 7.62x39, there not a very accurate round, there is one thing that they are good for, and thats assult rifles. they also arent a very good hunting round either...
There is nothing about the 7.62x39 round that makes it inherently inaccurate.
Talking about a round itself as being "inaccurate" doesn't really make sense; it is the firearm which is normally looked at for the accuracy. Many "assault style" rifles are chambered for the 7.62x39 round; the rifles are also designed for reliability rather than tack-driving accuracy; this reliability is achieved by "loosening tolerances" so it is rifle itself and not the round which will usually be the cause of any observed inaccuracy.
A soft-point or hollow point 7.62x39 can be a very effective round when hunting just about anything from the North American whitetail deer on down in size.
"Strength is the outcome of need; security sets a premium on feebleness." -- H.G. Wells (The Time Machine)0 -
MY DADDY ALWAYS SAID DUMB QUESTIONS ARE LOTS EASYER TO HANDLE THAT DUMB MISTAKES 0 -
Ruger built a Mini 30 ( XGI ) in 85-86. It was chambered for the .243 AND .308.
" It Ain't Over till its Over"0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
Ruger built a Mini 30 ( XGI ) in 85-86. It was chambered for the .243 AND .308.
They only made prototypes; they never actually sold any XGIs, although they had them in their advertising flyers for at least one year (I have a copy of a 1986 Ruger flyer with the XGI in it.)
"Strength is the outcome of need; security sets a premium on feebleness." -- H.G. Wells (The Time Machine)0 -
I have a 7.62X39 CZ 527 bolt action and the rounds... even the cheapy Russian versions are extremely accurate in that rifle. Plainly speaking the CZ will outgroup my Ruger Ranch Rifle in .223 easily. I agree with other observations. It is the rifle designs and not the cartridges that are the main indicators of how accurate the round is. I have also been very impressed with the cartridge as a 100 yard deer round. I took a nice size whitetail doe at 100 yards with my CZ. It seemed to function very well with proper shot placement... it is certainly cheaper to shoot and more effective than the .44 Magnum carbines, compares favorably with the .30-30 in the field, has less recoil or report than the .308 and works very well in a bolt rifle. 0 -
I have a 7.62X39 CZ 527 bolt action and the rounds... even the cheapy Russian versions are extremely accurate in that rifle. Plainly speaking the CZ will outgroup my Ruger Ranch Rifle in .223 easily. I agree with other observations. It is the rifle designs and not the cartridges that are the main indicators of how accurate the round is. I have also been very impressed with the cartridge as a 100 yard deer round. I took a nice size whitetail doe at 100 yards with my CZ. It seemed to function very well with proper shot placement... it is certainly cheaper to shoot and more effective than the .44 Magnum carbines, compares favorably with the .30-30 in the field, has less recoil or report than the .308 and works very well in a bolt rifle. 0
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