.308 Winchester ammo & 7.62x51 NATO cartridge Archives

Product Overview and Specifications

.308 Winchester Ammo

The .308 Winchester is a popular rifle cartridge that was introduced in 1952 by Winchester. It is widely used for hunting, target shooting, and military applications. The .308 Winchester is known for its accuracy, reliability, and versatility.

Specifications:

Bullet Diameter: 0.308 inches (7.82 mm)
Case Length: 2.015 inches (51.18 mm)
Overall Length: 2.800 inches (71.12 mm)
Case Capacity: 56 grains of water
Max Pressure: 62,000 psi (430 MPa)
Muzzle Velocity: 2,800-3,000 feet per second (fps) depending on bullet weight
Muzzle Energy: 2,600-2,800 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) depending on bullet weight

7.62×51 NATO Cartridge

The 7.62x51mm NATO is a rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge developed in the 1950s as a standard for NATO forces. It is very similar to the .308 Winchester but has slight differences in chamber specifications and pressure ratings. It is widely used in military rifles and machine guns.

Specifications:

Bullet Diameter: 0.308 inches (7.82 mm)
Case Length: 2.015 inches (51.18 mm)
Overall Length: 2.800 inches (71.12 mm)
Case Capacity: 52-54 grains of water
Max Pressure: 60,191 psi (415 MPa)
Muzzle Velocity: 2,750-2,800 feet per second (fps) depending on bullet weight
Muzzle Energy: 2,400-2,800 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) depending on bullet weight

Comparison and Compatibility

While the .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO are often considered interchangeable, they are not identical. The .308 Winchester typically has higher pressure and more precise chamber specifications, making it more suitable for commercial hunting and target rifles. The 7.62×51 NATO, on the other hand, is designed to withstand the rigors of military use and is slightly lower in pressure, ensuring greater safety margins in automatic weapons.