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Author Topic: 7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi  (Read 1281 times)

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Offline xhare

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« on: December 14, 2005, 12:34:03 PM »
Is using surplus 7.62 NATO ammo a bad idea in the .308 Winchester Handi?  I understand that there are a few small but important differences between these two cartridges.
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Offline quickdtoo

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2005, 12:44:10 PM »
Besides H&R stating that under no circumstances should milsurp be used in their firearms, there are some major differences in the 2 cartridges...

http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/7_62vs308.htm
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Offline xhare

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2005, 12:43:11 AM »
That is what I thought.  I have been to that web-site before.  I have read similar things about .223 vs 5.56.  Why aren't there similar problems with the 30-06, or 303 British (which was once chambered in the Winchester 1895), 45 ACP, 9mm Luger, etc?
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Offline xhare

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2005, 07:01:31 AM »
I understand this issue with regards to the Handi Rifle.  I was wondering why there are chamber specification issues between 7.62 NATO vs .308 Winchester and 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington, but I have never heard about similar problems with 30-06, 303 British, 45 ACP, 9mm Luger etc., in any firearm.
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Offline cma g21

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2005, 03:28:10 AM »
I thought that, while 7.62x51 NATO chamber specs were a little larger than .308, most 7.62x51 NATO ammo fell within SAAMI dimensional specs for 308 Winchester.

http://www.thegunzone.com/30cal.html
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Offline xhare

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2005, 05:38:45 AM »
I appreciate all of the information.  Basically I am looking for a Handi-Rifle and I am assessing various options.  A potential benefit to the .308 was the use of cheap mil-surp ammo.  If I go to relaods, I lean toward  the 7mm-08 due to the milder recoil.  I want a rifle that is good for deer, but easy to shoot off the bench for extended periods at the range.  I had hopes for the 7.62x39, but it looks like there are problems with using it with much of the inexpensive russian ammo.  The 30-30 is an option too, especially loaded with spitzers.
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Offline Crosshair

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2006, 09:20:13 AM »
The 308 has a higher working pressure than 7.62x51 so pressure will be OK. The big problem is primer hardness as well as quality. IMHO it is just a "butt covering" move that they have to make.
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Offline myarmor

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2006, 10:33:57 AM »
Quote from: xhare
I appreciate all of the information.  Basically I am looking for a Handi-Rifle and I am assessing various options.  A potential benefit to the .308 was the use of cheap mil-surp ammo.  If I go to relaods, I lean toward  the 7mm-08 due to the milder recoil.  I want a rifle that is good for deer, but easy to shoot off the bench for extended periods at the range.  I had hopes for the 7.62x39, but it looks like there are problems with using it with much of the inexpensive russian ammo.  The 30-30 is an option too, especially loaded with spitzers.


I'm going to hear about this I'm sure, but have you thought of just getting a 223? There are TONs of 223 ammo out there and every manufacture makes them. If you want cheap plinking it's hard to beat. Plus..and here it comes..You can try Wolf 223 in it :o  :) . Some don't like to shoot it, and might have problems with it in there Handi, but my 223 has had no problems with any of the Wolf 223 ammo I have run through it, and it's been quite a bit. As always, its not the most accurate, but for light hearted fun, it's great. The 55gr Hollow Points shoots the best for me.
-Aaron
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Offline myarmor

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2006, 02:01:33 AM »
I though you guys might find this to be an interesting read as well. Even though it is mostly directed towards the Mil.Surplus crowd...it's still got some good info.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/308vs762nato/index.asp
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Offline Sourdough

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2006, 05:02:25 PM »
Did not know of any differance between 7.62 NATO and .308.  Use both in my Parker Haile .308.  In fact most of the Ammo I shoot in that gun is 7.62 NATO.  I used to get 7.62 Ball ammo at no cost.  Pulled the bullets and loaded Noslers.  Killed a lot of Caribou with them.  Still have two cases of the ball out in the garage and I intend to shoot it up someday just like the rest.
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Offline Sourdough

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2006, 05:14:14 PM »
Did not know of any differance between 7.62 NATO and .308.  Use both in my Parker Haile .308.  In fact most of the Ammo I shoot in that gun is 7.62 NATO.  I used to get 7.62 Ball ammo at no cost.  Pulled the bullets and loaded Noslers.  Killed a lot of Caribou with them.  Still have two cases of the ball out in the garage and I intend to shoot it up someday just like the rest.
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Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline Ranger J

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7.62 NATO ammo in .308 Handi
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2006, 04:23:26 AM »
I shot only one round of military surplus in my 308 Handi.  A friend gave it to me after he sold his .308 bolt action and he found it in his bullet box.  I reload 150g sp at around 2700 fps and this round was considerably hotter than that.  When gun was opened it refused to eject and I had to tap it out with a cleaner rod.  This has never happened with my reloads and what was worse the cartridge wasn’t even reloadable. :(   I have resized and reloaded once fired military brass with no problem.
RJ
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