Can I use 308 ammo in a 7.62 NATO?

[andym79]

Hi guys I am looking at buying a Ishapore 7.62mm X51 rifle. i have read that using the NATO ammo in a .308 is okay, but not the other way around!

Apparently the average head space in the NATO chamber is .013" longer than in a 308, and the potential for case separation at the head exists!

So I have a couple of questions:

1) Does anyone use 308 commercial in the NATO chamber?

2) Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree here, but could I take a 30-06 cartridge and convert it to a 7.62 NATO, using a 308 FL die and adjusting the die so that the shoulder was forward by .010" and leave the rest to fire forming? Even if the neck had to be .010" shorter would that matter?

Also converting 30-06 would probably make the brass thicker like a 7.62 NATO!

I don' want a case separation!

 

[wnycollector]

I shot 500 rounds of wolf .308 ammo through my Ishy Enfield without any problems. I would stay away from hot .308 hunting ammo (e.g. Hornady .308 light magnum ammo) in your enfield though.

 

[bigedp51]

andym79

I have a Ishapore 2A1 and I shoot both types of ammunition out of it "without any problems", my 2A1 headspace is right at field maximum for our American M14 rifle. You will have the same problem with the 2A1 that you might have shooting commercial .303 British ammunition in your Lithgow Enfield rifles and that is case stretch in the base web area at the longer headspace lengths.



The first ammunition I fired from my 2A1 was Winchester .308 ammunition and then measured case stretch.




NOTE:
The European CIP considers the .308 and 7.62 NATO to be the same cartridge and the same operating pressure. Do not listen to Internet rumors that there is 10,000 PSI difference between the .308 and 7.62 NATO, the actual fact is .308 ammunition is loaded to "LOWER" pressures than the 7.62x51. The actual "rated" deference between the two cartridges is less than 2,000 psi which is insignificant.

As you can see below you can put 32 psi in your car tires but if you put 220 kPa in your tires they will blow up and kill everyone in a 300 yard radius.

 

[jonnyc]

They are the same cartridge and completely interchangeable. Nato/Milsurp brass has a smaller internal capacity, so reloaders need to take that into consideration for hot .308 loads. That's it.

 

[Double Vision]

BigEd, that was very good, thank you.

 

[nathan]

Its good you mentioned of Ishy 2A1. I just shot mine last Thursday with S African surplus and Prvi Partizan 150 gr SP. At 100 yds it was grouping 3 -4 inch groups.

 

[bigedp51]

The only problem I have with my 2A1 is the barrel gets a little warm when I fire long sustained bursts.




Even Winchester thinks the .308 and 7.62 NATO ammunition is the same. (loaded to aproximatly 47,000 cup)

 

[ball3006]

308/7.62x51 brass is everywhere and cheap. Why would you want to go through the trouble of making it out of 3006 brass? I shoot both cartridges out of my FR8, 2A1, and Mas 49/56 with zero problems no matter what the internet experts say. chris3

 

[303tom]

I do it all the time, so in a word.............YES !

 

[Jimro]

The only time you need to be concerned about 7.62 verses 308 is in a gas operated rifle like an M1A or 308 Garand. The gas pressure at the port is key to proper rifle operation. With an Ishapore or other bolt action I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest, except for a Spanish CETME. The 308 CETME had a different pressure rating than the 7.62x51 so they could recycle some old small ring Mauser rifles.

Jimro

 

[C'Thulhu]

I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest, except for a Spanish CETME. The 308 CETME had a different pressure rating than the 7.62x51 so they could recycle some old small ring Mauser rifles.

I think you mean FR-8 or something, as the CETME is a semi auto that the G3 is based on.

 

[jonnyc]

He might mean the 7.62x51 CETME cartridge, not the rifle. It is an under-powered sibling to the 7.62 Nato round.

 

[35 Whelen]

My mother used to tell me "don't borrow trouble". With that in mind, go enjoy your Ishy.

35W

 

[C'Thulhu]

JonnyC, I did not know that. Learn somethin every day.