Can You Shoot 7.62 NATO in a .308 Rifle?

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

Can You Shoot 7.62 NATO in a .308 Rifle?

The 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester cartridges are very similar in terms of their dimensions and performance. This has led to some confusion about whether or not you can shoot a 7.62 NATO round in a .308 rifle. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two cartridges and answer the question once and for all.

We’ll start by discussing the history of the 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester cartridges, and then we’ll compare their dimensions and ballistics. Finally, we’ll discuss the safety risks associated with shooting a 7.62 NATO round in a .308 rifle.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the differences between these two cartridges and whether or not it is safe to shoot a 7.62 NATO round in a .308 rifle.

Can You Shoot 7.62 Nato In 308 Rifle? Yes No
Yes, you can shoot 7.62 NATO in a .308 rifle. The 7.62 NATO round is the same diameter and length as the .308 Winchester round, but it has a higher pressure rating. This means that you can safely shoot 7.62 NATO ammunition in a .308 rifle, but you cannot shoot .308 Winchester ammunition in a 7.62 NATO rifle. No, you cannot shoot .308 Winchester ammunition in a 7.62 NATO rifle.

7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester are two very similar cartridges, and it is often asked if one can be used in a rifle chambered for the other. The answer is yes, but with some caveats.

In this article, we will take a closer look at 7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester, discuss the similarities and differences between the two cartridges, and examine the pros and cons of using one in a rifle chambered for the other.

7.62 NATO

7.62 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military cartridge that was developed in the 1950s. It is based on the .308 Winchester cartridge, but with a slightly longer case and a higher chamber pressure.

7.62 NATO is a full-power cartridge that is capable of producing significant muzzle energy. It is typically loaded with a 147-grain bullet, but heavier bullets are also available.

7.62 NATO is used by militaries around the world, and it is also popular for hunting and target shooting.

308 Winchester

308 Winchester is a hunting and target shooting cartridge that was introduced in 1952. It is based on the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, but with a shorter case and a lower chamber pressure.

308 Winchester is a powerful cartridge that is capable of producing long-range accuracy. It is typically loaded with a 150-grain bullet, but lighter and heavier bullets are also available.

308 Winchester is one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the world, and it is also used for target shooting and law enforcement applications.

Similarities and Differences Between 7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester

7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester are very similar cartridges, but there are some key differences between the two.

  • Case length: 7.62 NATO has a longer case than 308 Winchester. This allows for a higher powder charge, which results in a higher muzzle velocity.
  • Chamber pressure: 7.62 NATO has a higher chamber pressure than 308 Winchester. This means that 7.62 NATO cartridges can be loaded to higher pressures than 308 Winchester cartridges.
  • Bullet weight: 7.62 NATO is typically loaded with a heavier bullet than 308 Winchester. This results in a higher muzzle energy.

Pros and Cons of Using 7.62 NATO in a 308 Rifle

There are both pros and cons to using 7.62 NATO in a 308 rifle.

Pros:

  • 7.62 NATO cartridges are typically cheaper than 308 Winchester cartridges.
  • 7.62 NATO cartridges are more readily available than 308 Winchester cartridges.
  • 7.62 NATO cartridges can be loaded to higher pressures than 308 Winchester cartridges, which can result in higher muzzle velocities.

Cons:

  • 7.62 NATO cartridges can produce more recoil than 308 Winchester cartridges.
  • 7.62 NATO cartridges can be more damaging to a rifle’s barrel than 308 Winchester cartridges.
  • 7.62 NATO cartridges are not as accurate as 308 Winchester cartridges.

Whether or not you should use 7.62 NATO in a 308 rifle is a personal decision. There are pros and cons to both options, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

If you are looking for a cartridge that is cheap, readily available, and produces high muzzle velocities, then 7.62 NATO is a good option. However, if you are concerned about recoil, barrel wear, or accuracy, then you may want to consider using 308 Winchester instead.

Can you shoot 7.62 NATO in a 308 rifle?

The answer is yes, you can shoot 7.62 NATO in a 308 rifle. However, there are some things you should keep in mind.

First, 7.62 NATO cartridges are loaded to a higher pressure than 308 Winchester cartridges. This means that if you fire a 7.62 NATO cartridge in a 308 rifle, the rifle may experience increased wear and tear.

Second, 7.62 NATO cartridges are longer than 308 Winchester cartridges. This means that if you fire a 7.62 NATO cartridge in a 308 rifle, the cartridge may not chamber properly.

Third, 7.62 NATO cartridges have a different shoulder angle than 308 Winchester cartridges. This means that if you fire a 7.62 NATO cartridge in a 308 rifle, the cartridge may not feed properly.

Overall, it is possible to shoot 7.62 NATO in a 308 rifle, but there are some risks involved. If you are going to do this, you should make sure that your rifle is in good condition and that you are using quality ammunition.

Here are some additional tips for shooting 7.62 NATO in a 308 rifle:

  • Use a rifle that is chambered for 7.62 NATO or .308 Winchester.
  • Use ammunition that is specifically designed for 7.62 NATO.
  • Make sure that the rifle is properly lubricated.
  • Avoid firing multiple rounds in quick succession.
  • Monitor the rifle for signs of wear and tear.

If you have any concerns about shooting 7.62 NATO in a 308 rifle, you should consult with a qualified gunsmith.

Differences between 7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester

7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester are two very similar cartridges. They are both based on the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, but they have different dimensions and pressures.

The table below shows the key differences between 7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester.

| Characteristic | 7.62 NATO | 308 Winchester |
|—|—|—|
| Caliber | 7.62 mm | 7.62 mm |
| Bullet diameter | .308 in | .308 in |
| Case length | 2.01 in | 2.04 in |
| Neck diameter | .378 in | .378 in |
| Shoulder angle | 17 | 17 |
| Case capacity | 55 gr | 55 gr |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,900 fps | 2,800 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 2,800 ft-lbs | 2,700 ft-lbs |

As you can see, the two cartridges are very similar. The main difference is that 7.62 NATO is loaded to a higher pressure than 308 Winchester. This means that 7.62 NATO cartridges can generate more muzzle velocity and muzzle energy.

However, it is important to note that 7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester are not interchangeable. 7.62 NATO cartridges should only be used in rifles that are chambered for 7.62 NATO.

Can you reload 7.62 NATO cartridges for a 308 rifle?

Yes, you can reload 7.62 NATO cartridges for a 308 rifle. However, there are some things you should keep in mind.

First, you will need to use a 308 Winchester reloading die set. This is because the 7.62 NATO cartridge has a different shoulder angle than the 308 Winchester cartridge.

Second, you will need to use 7.62 NATO-specific brass. This is because 308 Winchester brass is not designed to withstand the higher pressures of 7.62 NATO cartridges.

Third, you will need to use a 7.62 NATO-specific bullet. This is because 308 Winchester bullets are not designed to work with the higher pressures of 7.62 NATO cartridges.

Overall, it is possible to reload 7.62 NATO cartridges for a 308 rifle, but it is important to use the correct dies, brass, and bullets.

Can You Shoot 7.62 Nato In 308 Rifle?

Answer:

No, you cannot shoot 7.62 NATO in a .308 rifle. The 7.62 NATO round is slightly larger than the .308 round, and will not fit in the chamber of a .308 rifle. If you try to fire a 7.62 NATO round in a .308 rifle, it will likely cause damage to the rifle.

What is the difference between 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester?

The 7.62 NATO round is a military round that was developed in the 1950s. It is based on the .308 Winchester round, but it is slightly larger in diameter. The 7.62 NATO round is also loaded to a higher pressure than the .308 Winchester round.

Can I use a .308 Winchester barrel in a 7.62 NATO rifle?

Yes, you can use a .308 Winchester barrel in a 7.62 NATO rifle. However, you will need to use a 7.62 NATO-specific bolt and magazine.

Can I use a 7.62 NATO bolt and magazine in a .308 Winchester rifle?

No, you cannot use a 7.62 NATO bolt and magazine in a .308 Winchester rifle. The 7.62 NATO bolt is larger than the .308 Winchester bolt, and the 7.62 NATO magazine is designed to hold 7.62 NATO rounds, which are larger than .308 Winchester rounds.

What happens if I try to shoot a 7.62 NATO round in a .308 rifle?

If you try to shoot a 7.62 NATO round in a .308 rifle, it will likely cause damage to the rifle. The 7.62 NATO round is larger than the .308 round, and it will not fit properly in the chamber of a .308 rifle. When you try to fire the round, it will likely jam in the chamber or cause the rifle to malfunction. In some cases, the 7.62 NATO round could even cause the rifle to explode.

What is the best way to tell the difference between a 7.62 NATO round and a .308 Winchester round?

The easiest way to tell the difference between a 7.62 NATO round and a .308 Winchester round is to look at the headstamp. The headstamp is a small marking on the base of the cartridge that identifies the manufacturer and the cartridge type. 7.62 NATO rounds will have a headstamp that says “7.62 NATO” or “.308 Win.” .308 Winchester rounds will have a headstamp that says “.308 Win.”

You can also tell the difference between the two rounds by looking at the overall length. 7.62 NATO rounds are slightly longer than .308 Winchester rounds.

Finally, you can also tell the difference between the two rounds by feeling the weight. 7.62 NATO rounds are slightly heavier than .308 Winchester rounds.

it is possible to shoot 7.62 NATO ammunition in a .308 rifle, but there are some potential risks involved. It is important to make sure that the rifle is properly chambered for 7.62 NATO ammunition and that the ammunition is of good quality. Additionally, it is important to follow all safety precautions when shooting any type of ammunition.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

  • 7.62 NATO ammunition is slightly larger than .308 ammunition, so it is important to make sure that the rifle is properly chambered for 7.62 NATO ammunition.
  • 7.62 NATO ammunition is typically loaded to a higher pressure than .308 ammunition, so it is important to use ammunition that is specifically designed for 7.62 NATO rifles.
  • Shooting 7.62 NATO ammunition in a .308 rifle can increase the risk of damage to the rifle and injury to the shooter.
  • It is important to follow all safety precautions when shooting any type of ammunition.

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