Can You use 7.62 in a .308 rifle?

Can You Use 7.62 in a.308 Rifle?

The.308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO are two of the most popular rifle cartridges in the world. While they may seem similar, they are not identical, and using 7.62mm ammunition in a.308 rifle may not be as straightforward as you think. In this article, we’ll delve into the details and answer the question: Can you use 7.62 in a.308 rifle?

What’s the Difference Between.308 and 7.62x51mm?

Before we dive into the question, let’s take a closer look at the two cartridges. The.308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO are both 7.62mm cartridges, but they have some key differences:

• Case length: The.308 Winchester has a case length of 2.046 inches (52mm), while the 7.62x51mm NATO has a case length of 2.165 inches (55mm).
• Overall length: The.308 Winchester has an overall length of 2.830 inches (72mm), while the 7.62x51mm NATO has an overall length of 2.950 inches (75mm).
• Rim diameter: The.308 Winchester has a rim diameter of 0.473 inches (12mm), while the 7.62x51mm NATO has a rim diameter of 0.473 inches (12mm) as well.
• Bullet diameter: The.308 Winchester typically has a bullet diameter of 0.308 inches (7.8mm), while the 7.62x51mm NATO typically has a bullet diameter of 0.311 inches (7.9mm).

Can You Use 7.62 in a.308 Rifle?

Now that we’ve covered the differences between the two cartridges, let’s answer the question. In general, yes, you can use 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition in a.308 Winchester rifle, but there are some important caveats to consider.

Why Can You Use 7.62 in a.308 Rifle?

There are a few reasons why 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition can be used in a.308 Winchester rifle:

Check out the 50 Cheapest Guns Now


• Case length: The 7.62x51mm NATO case is slightly longer than the.308 Winchester case, but this difference is usually not enough to cause any issues.
• Bullet diameter: The 7.62x51mm NATO bullet is slightly larger than the.308 Winchester bullet, but this difference is usually not enough to cause any issues.
Check out the 50 Cheapest Guns Now


• Rim diameter: The rim diameter of both cartridges is the same, so there’s no issue with the rim fitting into the chamber.

Why Can’t You Use 7.62 in a.308 Rifle?

While 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition can be used in a.308 Winchester rifle, there are some important reasons why you might not want to:

• Chamber pressure: The 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge is designed to operate at a higher chamber pressure than the.308 Winchester cartridge. If your rifle is not designed to handle this higher pressure, it could lead to accuracy issues or even damage to the rifle.
• Chamber dimensions: The 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge has a slightly different chamber dimension than the.308 Winchester cartridge. If your rifle is not designed to handle this difference, it could lead to accuracy issues or even damage to the rifle.
• Rifle design: Some.308 Winchester rifles are designed specifically for hunting or target shooting, and may not be suitable for use with 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition.

What Are the Consequences of Using 7.62 in a.308 Rifle?

If you do decide to use 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition in your.308 Winchester rifle, there are a few consequences to consider:

• Accuracy: The accuracy of your rifle may be affected, as the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge is designed to operate at a higher chamber pressure than the.308 Winchester cartridge.
• Rifle damage: If your rifle is not designed to handle the higher chamber pressure of the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge, it could lead to damage to the rifle.
• Recoil: The recoil of your rifle may be affected, as the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge is designed to produce more recoil than the.308 Winchester cartridge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while you can use 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition in a.308 Winchester rifle, there are some important caveats to consider. The 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge is designed to operate at a higher chamber pressure than the.308 Winchester cartridge, and may not be suitable for all.308 Winchester rifles. If you do decide to use 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition in your.308 Winchester rifle, be sure to check the rifle’s specifications and follow all safety guidelines.

Table: Comparison of.308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO Cartridges

Bullets:

• Always check the specifications of your rifle before using 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition.
• Be aware of the potential consequences of using 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition in your.308 Winchester rifle, including accuracy issues, rifle damage, and recoil.
• Consider using a chamber check gauge to ensure that your rifle is designed to handle the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge.
• Always follow all safety guidelines when shooting, and be aware of your surroundings.