Can You Shoot .308 In A 7.62 X51 Rifle?
Can You Shoot .308 in a 7.62×51 Rifle?
The .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO cartridges are very similar in appearance and performance. So much so, that many people wonder if they can be used interchangeably. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two cartridges and answer the question once and for all: can you shoot .308 in a 7.62×51 rifle?
We’ll start by discussing the history of both cartridges, then we’ll compare their ballistics and performance. Finally, we’ll give you our recommendation on whether or not it’s safe to shoot .308 in a 7.62×51 rifle.
The History of the .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO
The .308 Winchester was developed in the early 1950s as a replacement for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. It was designed to be a more powerful and accurate round that would be suitable for use in both semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles. The .308 Winchester quickly became one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the world, and it is still widely used today.
The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge was developed at the same time as the .308 Winchester. It was designed to be a standard military cartridge that could be used by all NATO member countries. The 7.62×51 NATO is slightly longer and has a higher chamber pressure than the .308 Winchester, but the two cartridges are otherwise very similar.
Ballistics and Performance
The .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO cartridges have very similar ballistics. They both use a 175-grain bullet that has a muzzle velocity of around 2,800 feet per second. The .308 Winchester has a slightly flatter trajectory than the 7.62×51 NATO, but the difference is negligible.
In terms of performance, the .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO are both capable of taking down large game animals. However, the .308 Winchester is slightly more powerful, so it may be a better choice for hunting larger animals.
Can You Shoot .308 in a 7.62×51 Rifle?
The short answer is yes, you can shoot .308 in a 7.62×51 rifle. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, the .308 Winchester cartridge is slightly longer than the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge. This means that you may need to use a magazine that is specifically designed for .308 Winchester cartridges.
Second, the .308 Winchester cartridge has a higher chamber pressure than the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge. This means that you should only use .308 Winchester ammunition that is specifically designed for use in 7.62×51 rifles.
If you follow these guidelines, you can safely shoot .308 in a 7.62×51 rifle. However, it is always best to consult with the manufacturer of your rifle before making any changes to the ammunition you use.
| Can You Shoot .308 In A 7.62 X51 Rifle? | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter | .308 inches | 7.62 mm |
| Case Length | 2.47 inches | 2.54 inches |
| Max Pressure | 55,000 psi | 65,000 psi |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,800 fps | 2,900 fps |
What is .308 Winchester?
.308 Winchester is a rifle cartridge developed by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1952. It is a necked-down version of the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, with a 7.62mm (0.308in) bullet and a case length of 71.1mm (2.80in). The .308 Winchester is a popular cartridge for hunting, target shooting, and military use. It is also used in some law enforcement applications.
The .308 Winchester is a very versatile cartridge that can be used with a wide variety of bullets. It is also very accurate and reliable. However, it is not as powerful as some other rifle cartridges, such as the .30-06 Springfield or the .300 Winchester Magnum.
The .308 Winchester is a popular choice for hunting deer, elk, and other large game. It is also a good choice for target shooting and competition. The .308 Winchester is also used by militaries around the world. It is the standard cartridge for the United States Army’s M14 rifle and the United States Marine Corps’ M308 sniper rifle.
6.5×51 NATO
6.5x51mm NATO (also known as .264 Winchester Magnum, .264 Norma Magnum, and .264 Remington Magnum) is a rifle cartridge developed by Remington Arms Company in 1963. It is a necked-down version of the .308 Winchester cartridge, with a 6.5mm (0.264in) bullet and a case length of 51mm (2.01in). The 6.5x51mm NATO is a popular cartridge for hunting, target shooting, and military use. It is also used in some law enforcement applications.
The 6.5x51mm NATO is a very versatile cartridge that can be used with a wide variety of bullets. It is also very accurate and reliable. However, it is not as powerful as some other rifle cartridges, such as the .30-06 Springfield or the .300 Winchester Magnum.
The 6.5x51mm NATO is a popular choice for hunting deer, elk, and other large game. It is also a good choice for target shooting and competition. The 6.5x51mm NATO is also used by militaries around the world. It is the standard cartridge for the United States Army’s M24 sniper rifle and the United States Marine Corps’ M40 sniper rifle.
Can You Shoot .308 In A 7.62 X51 Rifle?
Yes, you can shoot .308 Winchester in a 7.62×51 NATO rifle. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, the .308 Winchester cartridge is slightly larger than the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge. This means that you may experience some feeding issues if you use a .308 Winchester cartridge in a 7.62×51 NATO rifle.
Second, the .308 Winchester cartridge is loaded to a higher pressure than the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge. This means that you may experience some increased wear and tear on your rifle if you use a .308 Winchester cartridge in a 7.62×51 NATO rifle.
Finally, the .308 Winchester cartridge is a more powerful cartridge than the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge. This means that you may experience more recoil if you use a .308 Winchester cartridge in a 7.62×51 NATO rifle.
Overall, it is possible to shoot .308 Winchester in a 7.62×51 NATO rifle. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid any potential problems.
The .308 Winchester and the 7.62×51 NATO are two very similar cartridges. They are both based on the same parent case, and they can be used in the same rifles. However, there are a few key differences between the two cartridges. The .308 Winchester is slightly larger than the 7.62×51 NATO, and it is loaded to a higher pressure. This means that the .308 Winchester is a more powerful cartridge than the 7.62x
Can You Shoot .308 In A 7.62 X51 Rifle?
The .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO cartridges are very similar in terms of their dimensions and ballistic performance. This has led to some confusion about whether or not you can shoot a .308 round in a 7.62×51 rifle.
The short answer is yes, you can shoot a .308 round in a 7.62×51 rifle. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, the .308 round is slightly longer than the 7.62×51 round. This means that if you load a .308 round into a 7.62×51 chamber, the round will be slightly compressed. This can cause the round to fire with more pressure than it was designed for, which can damage the rifle.
Second, the .308 round has a slightly higher muzzle velocity than the 7.62×51 round. This means that if you shoot a .308 round in a 7.62×51 rifle, the bullet will travel faster and have more energy. This can also damage the rifle.
Finally, the .308 round has a slightly different ballistic coefficient than the 7.62×51 round. This means that the .308 round will drop more quickly than the 7.62×51 round at the same range. This can affect your accuracy.
Overall, it is safe to shoot a .308 round in a 7.62×51 rifle, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. If you are concerned about damaging your rifle, you should stick to using 7.62×51 rounds.
.308 Winchester vs 7.62×51 NATO
The .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO cartridges are very similar in terms of their dimensions and ballistic performance. However, there are a few key differences between the two cartridges.
- Case length: The .308 Winchester case is slightly longer than the 7.62×51 NATO case. This means that a .308 Winchester round will be slightly compressed when loaded into a 7.62×51 chamber.
- Muzzle velocity: The .308 Winchester round has a slightly higher muzzle velocity than the 7.62×51 NATO round. This means that the .308 Winchester round will travel faster and have more energy.
- Ballistic coefficient: The .308 Winchester round has a slightly higher ballistic coefficient than the 7.62×51 NATO round. This means that the .308 Winchester round will drop less quickly at the same range.
Overall, the .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO cartridges are very similar in terms of their performance. However, the .308 Winchester round has a slight edge in terms of muzzle velocity and ballistic coefficient.
7.62×51 NATO Cartridge History
The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge was developed in the early 1950s as a replacement for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge was designed to be a more powerful and accurate round than the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge was also designed to be compatible with a wider range of rifles than the .30-06 Springfield cartridge.
The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge was adopted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1954. The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge quickly became the standard rifle cartridge for NATO militaries. The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge was also adopted by a number of other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge remained the standard rifle cartridge for NATO militaries until the early 2000s. The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge was replaced by the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge in many NATO militaries. However, the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge is still used by a number of NATO militaries, including the United States Marine Corps.
The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge
Can you shoot .308 in a 7.62×51 rifle?
Yes, you can shoot .308 Winchester in a 7.62×51 NATO rifle. The .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO cartridges are the same diameter and have the same case length. The only difference is that the .308 Winchester has a slightly higher chamber pressure than the 7.62×51 NATO. This means that you can safely shoot .308 Winchester ammunition in a 7.62×51 NATO rifle, but you cannot shoot 7.62×51 NATO ammunition in a .308 Winchester rifle.
What are the differences between .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO cartridges?
The main difference between the .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO cartridges is the chamber pressure. The .308 Winchester has a chamber pressure of 62,000 psi, while the 7.62×51 NATO has a chamber pressure of 55,000 psi. This difference in chamber pressure means that 7.62×51 NATO ammunition is loaded to a lower pressure than .308 Winchester ammunition.
Another difference between the two cartridges is the bullet weight. .308 Winchester ammunition is typically loaded with bullets that weigh between 150 and 180 grains, while 7.62×51 NATO ammunition is typically loaded with bullets that weigh between 147 and 175 grains.
Finally, the .308 Winchester cartridge is slightly longer than the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge. This difference in length is not significant enough to cause any problems when using .308 Winchester ammunition in a 7.62×51 NATO rifle.
Can I use 7.62×51 NATO ammunition in a .308 Winchester rifle?
No, you cannot use 7.62×51 NATO ammunition in a .308 Winchester rifle. The 7.62×51 NATO cartridge has a lower chamber pressure than the .308 Winchester cartridge. This means that if you fire a 7.62×51 NATO cartridge in a .308 Winchester rifle, the cartridge will not be able to achieve full pressure and will not fire properly.
What happens if I fire 7.62×51 NATO ammunition in a .308 Winchester rifle?
If you fire 7.62×51 NATO ammunition in a .308 Winchester rifle, the cartridge will not be able to achieve full pressure and will not fire properly. This can damage the rifle and/or cause injury to the shooter.
What is the best ammunition for a 7.62×51 NATO rifle?
The best ammunition for a 7.62×51 NATO rifle depends on the intended use of the rifle. For general hunting and target shooting, a 168-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,700 feet per second is a good choice. For long-range shooting, a 175-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,800 feet per second is a good choice.
Where can I buy .308 Winchester or 7.62×51 NATO ammunition?
You can buy .308 Winchester or 7.62×51 NATO ammunition at most sporting goods stores and online retailers.
the answer to the question Can you shoot .308 in a 7.62×51 rifle? is yes, you can. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, .308 ammunition is typically loaded to a higher pressure than 7.62×51 ammunition. This means that if you fire .308 ammunition in a 7.62×51 rifle, you could damage the rifle. Second, .308 ammunition is typically longer than 7.62×51 ammunition. This means that if you fire .308 ammunition in a 7.62×51 rifle, the bullet may not chamber properly and could cause a malfunction.
Overall, it is generally not recommended to fire .308 ammunition in a 7.62×51 rifle. However, if you do decide to do so, be sure to use caution and follow the instructions of the ammunition manufacturer.