Czechnologist
Concerned Citizen
- Mar 9, 2016
- 6,522
Been around since the mid 1950's. Developed by the military to duplicate .30-06 performance in short action rifles, it's one of the all-time-great calibers, IMO.
Although not identical, the .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges are similar enough that they can be loaded into rifles chambered for the other round, but the .308 Winchester cartridges are typically loaded to higher pressures than 7.62x51mm NATO service cartridges. Even though the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) does not consider it unsafe to fire commercial .308 Winchester rounds in weapons chambered for the 7.62x51, there has been significant discussion about compatible chambers and muzzle pressures between the two cartridges based on powder loads, chamber dimensions and wall thicknesses. As the chambers differ accordingly the head space gauges used for the two chamberings also differ.
Although not identical, the .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges are similar enough that they can be loaded into rifles chambered for the other round, but the .308 Winchester cartridges are typically loaded to higher pressures than 7.62x51mm NATO service cartridges. Even though the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) does not consider it unsafe to fire commercial .308 Winchester rounds in weapons chambered for the 7.62x51, there has been significant discussion about compatible chambers and muzzle pressures between the two cartridges based on powder loads, chamber dimensions and wall thicknesses. As the chambers differ accordingly the head space gauges used for the two chamberings also differ.