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While the .308 Winchester and 7.62 × 51 mm cartridges are generally identical, there are minor differences in their case dimensions and chambering specifications that should be noted. The 7.62 × 51 mm is smaller by a few thousandths of an inch in some dimensions.<ref>Barnes, Frank C.; McPherson, M.L.: ''Cartridges of the World, 9th Edition'', Krause Publications, 2000, ISBN 0-87341-909-X p.90 and p.345</ref> This can lead to excessive chamber pressures if a .308 Winchester cartridge is fired in a 7.62 × 51 mm chamber. However, the opposite should present no problems.
While the .308 Winchester and 7.62 × 51 mm cartridges are generally identical, there are minor differences in their case dimensions and chambering specifications that should be noted. The 7.62 × 51 mm is smaller by a few thousandths of an inch in some dimensions.<ref>Barnes, Frank C.; McPherson, M.L.: ''Cartridges of the World, 9th Edition'', Krause Publications, 2000, ISBN 0-87341-909-X p.90 and p.345</ref> This can lead to excessive chamber pressures if a .308 Winchester cartridge is fired in a 7.62 × 51 mm chamber. However, the opposite should present no problems.




Several more cartridges have been developed using the .308 Winchester as a parent case, some becoming very popular for hunting, particularly in [[North America]]. These would be the [[.243 Winchester]], the [[.260 Remington]] (aka 6.5-08 A-Square), the [[7mm-08 Remington]], the [[.338 Federal]], and the [[.358 Winchester]] (aka 8.8x51mm). In 1980, two rimmed cartridges based on the .308 Winchester were introduced for use in the [[Winchester Model 1894|Winchester Model 94]] XTR Angle Eject rifle; the [[.307 Winchester]] and the [[.356 Winchester]].
Several more cartridges have been developed using the .308 Winchester as a parent case, some becoming very popular for hunting, particularly in [[North America]]. These would be the [[.243 Winchester]], the [[.260 Remington]] (aka 6.5-08 A-Square), the [[7mm-08 Remington]], the [[.338 Federal]], and the [[.358 Winchester]] (aka 8.8x51mm). In 1980, two rimmed cartridges based on the .308 Winchester were introduced for use in the [[Winchester Model 1894|Winchester Model 94]] XTR Angle Eject rifle; the [[.307 Winchester]] and the [[.356 Winchester]].

Revision as of 22:46, 18 August 2007

.308 Winchester
The 7.62 x 51 mm NATO is identical in appearance to the .308 Winchester. They are not, however, completely interchangable.
TypeRifle
Place of originUSA
Production history
Designed1952
Specifications
Parent case.300 Savage
Case typeRimless, Bottleneck
Bullet diameter0.308 in (7.8 mm)
Neck diameter0.343 in (8.7 mm)
Shoulder diameter0.454 in (11.5 mm)
Base diameter0.470 in (11.9 mm)
Rim diameter0.473 in (12.0 mm)
Rim thickness0.050 in (1.3 mm)
Case length2.015 in (51.2 mm)
Overall length2.80 in (71 mm)
Rifling twist1/12
Primer typeLarge Rifle
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
150 gr (10 g) Nosler tip 2,820 ft/s (860 m/s) 2,648 ft⋅lbf (3,590 J)
165 gr (11 g) BTSP 2,700 ft/s (820 m/s) 2,671 ft⋅lbf (3,621 J)
168 gr (11 g) BTHP 2,650 ft/s (810 m/s) 2,619 ft⋅lbf (3,551 J)
175 gr (11 g) BTHP 2,600 ft/s (790 m/s) 2,627 ft⋅lbf (3,562 J)
180 gr (12 g) Nosler partition 2,740 ft/s (840 m/s) 3,000 ft⋅lbf (4,100 J)
Test barrel length: 24 in
Source(s): Federal Cartridge Co. ballistics page

.308 Winchester is the commercial name for the military 7.62 × 51 mm NATO cartridge. Two years prior to the NATO adoption of the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO T65 in 1954, Winchester (a subsidiary of the Olin Corporation) branded the cartridge and introduced it to the commercial hunting market as the .308 Winchester. Winchester's Model 70 and Model 88 rifles were subsequently chambered for the new cartridge. Since then, the .308 Winchester has become one of the most popular hunting cartridges available. It is also commonly used for civilian target matches and police sharpshooting. The relatively short case makes the .308 Winchester especially well adapted for short action rifles.

While the .308 Winchester and 7.62 × 51 mm cartridges are generally identical, there are minor differences in their case dimensions and chambering specifications that should be noted. The 7.62 × 51 mm is smaller by a few thousandths of an inch in some dimensions.[1] This can lead to excessive chamber pressures if a .308 Winchester cartridge is fired in a 7.62 × 51 mm chamber. However, the opposite should present no problems.

Several more cartridges have been developed using the .308 Winchester as a parent case, some becoming very popular for hunting, particularly in North America. These would be the .243 Winchester, the .260 Remington (aka 6.5-08 A-Square), the 7mm-08 Remington, the .338 Federal, and the .358 Winchester (aka 8.8x51mm). In 1980, two rimmed cartridges based on the .308 Winchester were introduced for use in the Winchester Model 94 XTR Angle Eject rifle; the .307 Winchester and the .356 Winchester.

As a hunting cartridge, the .308 Winchester is powerful enough for all North American game. When used for hunting dangerous game or animals with tough hides, the hunter should use an appropriate bullet. The Nosler partition bullet and Barnes solid copper bullets are popular choices for dangerous or tough game.

References

  1. ^ Barnes, Frank C.; McPherson, M.L.: Cartridges of the World, 9th Edition, Krause Publications, 2000, ISBN 0-87341-909-X p.90 and p.345

See also

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