If my barrel is marked 7.62 NATO, will there be any immediate or long term problems firing commercial 308Win ammo through it? I ask because i've heard that it's ok to fire 7.62 nato rounds through a barrel chambered in 308, but haven't confirmed the other way around. Thanks
OK to fire 308Win in 7.62NATO barrel??
- Thread starter Rhongman
- Start date
Re: OK to fire 308Win in 7.62NATO barrel??
Yes you can. The .308 was designed to take higher pressure. 308 is proofed to 83,000 psi and 7.62 is proofed at 67,000. SAAMI spec is 62,000 for the 308, so you should be ok. Technically, the barrels for AIs are marked 7.62x51 and lots of people here feed them 308. I wouldn't sweat it unless it is an old military surplus arm.
Josh
Yes you can. The .308 was designed to take higher pressure. 308 is proofed to 83,000 psi and 7.62 is proofed at 67,000. SAAMI spec is 62,000 for the 308, so you should be ok. Technically, the barrels for AIs are marked 7.62x51 and lots of people here feed them 308. I wouldn't sweat it unless it is an old military surplus arm.
Josh
Re: OK to fire 308Win in 7.62NATO barrel??
As said, maximum pressure for the .308 Win cartridge is 62,000 psi, while the 7.62×51 max is 50,000 psi. The .308 Win “Go Gauge” is 1.630 vs. 1.635 for the 7.62×51. The .308’s “No-Go” dimension is 1.634 vs. 1.6405 for a 7.62×51 “No Go” gauge. The mil-spec chamber is longer chambered for a full-auto to fire when dirty.
The hazard with .308 ammo in a 7.62 is some of the bolt action hunting rounds are over pressure for guns like the M14, M1 Mk2 Mod1 (7.62 Garand), and foreign 7.62 service rifles.
As said, maximum pressure for the .308 Win cartridge is 62,000 psi, while the 7.62×51 max is 50,000 psi. The .308 Win “Go Gauge” is 1.630 vs. 1.635 for the 7.62×51. The .308’s “No-Go” dimension is 1.634 vs. 1.6405 for a 7.62×51 “No Go” gauge. The mil-spec chamber is longer chambered for a full-auto to fire when dirty.
The hazard with .308 ammo in a 7.62 is some of the bolt action hunting rounds are over pressure for guns like the M14, M1 Mk2 Mod1 (7.62 Garand), and foreign 7.62 service rifles.
