Author Topic: Surplus ammo in 700 ADL .308 (Read 852 times)

dz86 · « **on:** November 04, 2004, 05:42:41 AM »

I'm thinking about getting a 700ADL synthetic. I happen to have LOTS of 7.62x51 surplus ammo around, and the idea of being able to "plink" with the cheap surplus ammo appeals to me.
Cartridge dimensions of the civilian .308 and military 7.62x51 are slightly different. I want to make sure that I won't run into any chambering or safety problems shooting the surplus ammo in a 700.
Anyone have any experience with this?
TIA
Dave

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2004, 07:37:13 AM »

No experience with the issue...but I hope common sense would prevail here and ring a definite NO. That's like asking if ya can stuff a 6mm into a .243 or vice versa. There are thousandths of in. in differences, no big deal, right? Wrong. Same principle. If I'm wrong, I'm hoping someone else will contradict me. But...that's my :money:.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2004, 11:48:04 AM »

The 7.62 X 51 was the military version that Winchester sold as the .308 to the civilian market when given permission by the military.

The military brass is significantly heavier and better for use in military autoloaders / semi-automatics. The commercial brass may not work work well in such rifles -- says the NRA 'Handloading' book. You will not blow up a rifle, however, by inter-changing the two. Semi-automatics might also require small-base sizing dies to chamber rounds properly.

The use of CAVIM ammo' from Venezuela is a mistake I made one time since their quality control is poor: weak brass, excess pressures, etc. from what I saw in my .308 -- causing the bolt to lock up. :eek: South African and Hertenberger are great in my rifle.

SS'

Nobade · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2004, 10:04:58 AM »

Sure, works fine. Probably a million rounds a year of surplus ammo are fired at our range through civilian rifles with no problems. You don't usually see the best accuracy, but it's fine for practice and wins more than a few 3 gun matches!

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2004, 02:47:12 PM »

Nobade...do you mean surplus ammunition that is the EXACT calibration or ones like DZ and are just slightly off? Because I'm sure surplus ammunition in general is great. But...he's also talking about slight differences in calibration.

Lancel · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2004, 04:02:50 PM »

Quote

...any chambering or safety problems shooting the surplus ammo in a 700.

Any chambering or safety problems in a bolt action 700 would be because of manufacturing quality (e.g. country of origin) not dimensions.

There are many more details for you at this link:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/7_62vs308.htm

Fishman029:

Quote

If I'm wrong, I'm hoping someone else will contradict me.

Consider it done. :-)

Larry

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2004, 10:04:54 AM »

Haha

. Thanx Lancel. Good to kno when ur wrong sometimes.