[SmokeRing]

I am thinking about buying a bolt-action 308 fun/plinking rifle(no hunting). Either a Ruger, Savage or Tikka probably. I have a lot of surplus NATO 7.62x51 from Portugal. It shot well in an AR-10 and a Saiga. Any reason not to use this ammo in a bolt-action rifle? I did have a tough extract problem one time using milsurp ammo in a Reminton 788 but I think that was due to using belted/machine-gun surplus ammo. Has anyone used similar ammo in a bolt-action? TIA for any input.

[Preacherman]

"Civilian" .308 Winchester ammo is marginally different in dimensions and pressures from the "military" 7.62x51mm. NATO round. In practice, you can shoot either round in any gun, except if your chamber is cut to match dimensions, at which point the differences will show up, causing difficulties in chambering and increased pressure due to slight bullet set-back if the cartridge is "forced" into the chamber. I would suggest that you buy a common-or-garden .308 with a "standard" chamber, rather than a "match-grade" chamber, and you should be OK.

I've used Hirtenberger and Australian milsurp .308 in a Steyr Scout and a Savage Scout - several hundred rounds worth - and had no problems.

[VG]

Explanation by Messrs Kuleck and Kuhnhausen.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/308.htm