The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: fatbaldguy on September 29, 2012, 07:34:55 AM
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While I'm waiting for the dew to dry so I can mow the lawn....School me here.....
If I buy a rifle chambered for .308 Winchester, it should easily chamber 7.62Nato easily. But not necessarily the reverse? Am I understanding this right?
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IIRC the 308 is slightly hotter. I know the inside of the case and primer pocket are slighly diffrent. I am not sure on the externals.
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Not an expert and most certainly you'll get another comment but I believe it's the opposite. It's about headspace I think...
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Case capacity is the culprit here. Outside dimensions are basically the same, but the military brass is thicker in spots, thus reducing capacity and calling for different burn rates to achieve the same ballistics as commercial ammo. Some rifles may experience headspace issues, but not usually enough to fail to chamber a round. The problem comes from resultant pressure spikes.
It is generally considered safe to shoot both in sporting rifles chambered for .308, but not recommended to shoot commercial ammo in military rifles chambered for 7.62 x 51 due to the looser chamber dimensions and the "hotter" commercial loadings, and the potential for higher pressure from heavier bullets.
Some reading:
http://www.rangingthoughts.org/post/2011/09/07/308-Winchester-and-762x51-NATO-Are-The-Same-On-The-Outside-and-completely-interchangeable.aspx
http://www.ar10t.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=groups&task=viewdiscussion&groupid=4&topicid=3&Itemid=259
(http://www.splinespider.com/BAR-10/308headspace.jpg)
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It is generally considered safe to shoot both in sporting rifles chambered for .308, but not recommended to shoot commercial ammo in military rifles chambered for 7.62 x 51 due to the looser chamber dimensions and the "hotter" commercial loadings, and the potential for higher pressure from heavier bullets.
Some reading:
http://www.rangingthoughts.org/post/2011/09/07/308-Winchester-and-762x51-NATO-Are-The-Same-On-The-Outside-and-completely-interchangeable.aspx
http://www.ar10t.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=groups&task=viewdiscussion&groupid=4&topicid=3&Itemid=259
(http://www.splinespider.com/BAR-10/308headspace.jpg)
So, all that being said/read, would DPMS be considered a sporting rifle or no?
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Askl them. I really like their .308s, but we on this board are just guessing. They will know.
FQ13
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The barrel will be marked whether it's .308 or 7.62
Not just DPMS, that is a legal requirement, just like the barrel will be marked either .223 or 5.56 MM
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The barrel will be marked whether it's .308 or 7.62
Not just DPMS, that is a legal requirement, just like the barrel will be marked either .223 or 5.56 MM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said.