Definition of 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester
7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester are two popular rifle cartridges that have similar specifications, but some important differences. 7.62 NATO (also known as 7.62x51mm NATO) is a rifle cartridge developed for military use, primarily in the M14 rifle and later in the M60 machine gun. It is the standardized round used by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and is still in use today by various military forces.
.308 Winchester is a commercial hunting and sporting rifle cartridge developed by Winchester in the 1950s. It is based on the 7.62 NATO cartridge, but is not identical and was designed for use in commercial hunting and sporting rifles. It has become a popular cartridge for civilian hunting and shooting sports.
Brief history of 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester
7.62 NATO was developed in the 1950s as a replacement for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, which had been in use by the US military since the early 20th century. The cartridge was developed to be used in the M14 rifle and was later used in the M60 machine gun. It was adopted by NATO in 1954 and has since become the standard rifle cartridge for NATO forces. Today, the cartridge is used by various military forces and is also used by civilian shooters for long-range shooting and hunting.
.308 Winchester was developed in the 1950s by Winchester for use in commercial hunting and sporting rifles. It was based on the 7.62 NATO cartridge, but was not identical. The cartridge was designed to provide a shorter, more efficient cartridge that could be used in a variety of hunting and sporting rifles. The .308 Winchester quickly gained popularity among hunters and shooters and has become one of the most popular cartridges for civilian use. It is used for a wide range of applications, including hunting, long-range shooting, and competition shooting.
Difference Between 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester
Cartridge Specifications
7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester have similar specifications, but there are some differences.
The dimensions and weight of the cartridges are as follows:
- 62 NATO:
- Bullet diameter: 0.308 inches (7.82 mm)
- Case length: 2.015 inches (51.18 mm)
- Overall length: 2.750 inches (69.85 mm)
- Weight: 25.4 grams (392 grains)
- .308 Winchester:
- Bullet diameter: 0.308 inches (7.82 mm)
- Case length: 2.015 inches (51.18 mm)
- Overall length: 2.800 inches (71.12 mm)
- Weight: 25.4 grams (392 grains)
While the dimensions of the cartridges are similar, there are some differences in pressure. The 7.62 NATO cartridge is loaded to a higher pressure than the .308 Winchester cartridge. This difference in pressure can affect the performance of the cartridges in certain rifles, especially if they are not rated for the higher pressure of the 7.62 NATO cartridge.
Interchangeability
While 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester are similar cartridges, they are not completely interchangeable.
7.62 NATO can be fired from a .308 Winchester chambered rifle, but the reverse is not true. This is because the 7.62 NATO cartridge is loaded to a higher pressure than the .308 Winchester cartridge, and firing the higher pressure cartridge in a rifle chambered for the lower pressure cartridge can be dangerous. In addition, some rifles chambered for 7.62 NATO may have slightly larger chambers, which can cause issues with extraction when firing the .308 Winchester cartridge.
While it is generally safe to fire 7.62 NATO in a .308 Winchester chambered rifle, it is still important to consult the rifle manufacturer or a qualified gunsmith to ensure that the rifle is rated for the higher pressure of the 7.62 NATO cartridge. Additionally, if you plan to use your rifle for long-range shooting or hunting, it is important to select the appropriate ammunition for your rifle and to carefully consider the potential differences in performance between the two cartridges.
Accuracy
The accuracy of a rifle cartridge is influenced by a variety of factors, including the design of the cartridge, the quality of the rifle and ammunition, and the shooting conditions.
In general, the accuracy of 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester is similar, although some shooters may prefer one cartridge over the other for specific applications. The 7.62 NATO cartridge is primarily designed for military use and is typically used in battle rifles, which are not always optimized for precision shooting. The .308 Winchester cartridge, on the other hand, was designed for commercial hunting and sporting rifles, which are often optimized for accuracy.
In addition, the quality of the rifle and ammunition can have a significant impact on accuracy. While both cartridges can be accurate in the right rifle with the right ammunition, there may be some slight differences in accuracy between the two cartridges depending on the specific rifle and ammunition used. It is important to carefully consider the factors that influence accuracy when choosing between 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester for a particular application.
Ballistics
The ballistics of a cartridge refer to its performance in flight, including factors such as trajectory, velocity, and energy.
When comparing the ballistics of 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester, it is important to note that the cartridges have similar ballistic performance, but there are some differences due to the higher pressure of the 7.62 NATO cartridge. In general, the 7.62 NATO cartridge is loaded to a higher pressure and may have slightly higher muzzle velocity and energy than the .308 Winchester cartridge.
For example, a typical 7.62 NATO cartridge firing a 147-grain bullet may have a muzzle velocity of around 2,800 feet per second (fps) and a muzzle energy of around 2,700 foot-pounds (ft-lbs), while a typical .308 Winchester cartridge firing the same bullet may have a muzzle velocity of around 2,700 fps and a muzzle energy of around 2,600 ft-lbs.
The ballistic performance of each cartridge can also be influenced by the specific rifle and ammunition used. It is important to carefully consider the intended application and shooting conditions when selecting a cartridge based on its ballistics.
Recoil
The recoil produced by a cartridge is an important factor to consider, especially when selecting a cartridge for long-range shooting or hunting.
In general, the recoil produced by 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester is similar, but the 7.62 NATO cartridge may produce slightly more recoil due to the higher pressure of the cartridge. The amount of recoil produced by each cartridge can also be influenced by the weight of the rifle and the shooter’s individual tolerance for recoil.
While the recoil produced by these cartridges is not excessive, it is still important to carefully consider the recoil produced by a particular cartridge when selecting it for a specific application. Recoil can affect accuracy and can also be a factor in shooter fatigue over long shooting sessions. It is always a good idea to test different cartridges and rifles to find the best combination of accuracy and recoil for a particular shooting application.
Availability and Cost
Availability and cost are important factors to consider when selecting a cartridge for a particular application.
In general, both 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester cartridges are widely available in many different types and brands of ammunition. However, because 7.62 NATO is primarily used for military purposes, it may be more commonly found in surplus ammunition or mil-spec ammo, which can be less consistent in quality and performance than commercial ammunition. .308 Winchester, on the other hand, is primarily used for commercial hunting and sporting purposes and is available in a wider range of commercial ammunition options.
In terms of cost, the price of ammunition can vary widely depending on the specific brand, type, and quality of the ammunition. In general, mil-spec 7.62 NATO ammunition can be slightly less expensive than commercial .308 Winchester ammunition, but this can vary depending on the specific brands and types of ammunition being compared.
Overall, the availability and cost of 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester ammunition are generally similar, but it is important to carefully consider the specific brands and types of ammunition when comparing availability and cost for a particular application.
Popular Rifles
7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester are popular cartridges that are used in a wide variety of rifles. Here are some examples of popular rifles for each cartridge:
Popular rifles chambered in 7.62 NATO:
- FN FAL
- M14/M1A
- HK G3
- CETME
- AK-47 (in the variant known as the AK-47 Type 3)
Popular rifles chambered in .308 Winchester:
- Remington Model 700
- Winchester Model 70
- Ruger American
- Savage Axis
- Tikka T3
There are many other rifles chambered in these cartridges, including semi-automatic rifles, bolt-action rifles, and other types of firearms. It is important to carefully consider the specific rifle and ammunition being used when selecting a cartridge for a particular application.
Conclusion
7.62 NATO was designed for military use, while .308 Winchester was designed for commercial hunting and sporting use. While the cartridges are similar in many respects, they have some differences in pressure, interchangeability, accuracy, ballistics, recoil, and availability/cost.
When selecting a cartridge for a particular application, it is important to consider the specific factors that are most important for that application, such as accuracy, ballistics, and recoil. It is also important to select a high-quality rifle and ammunition to ensure the best possible performance from the chosen cartridge. Overall, both 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester are excellent cartridges that are suitable for a wide range of applications, and the choice between them will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the shooter.
