.308 ammo question

[chuckyd313]

I have recently aquired some .308 ammo they are FMJ so i cant use them for hunting. Id like to use them for target shooting. The bottom is stamped FNM 82-27 and i looked them up on the internet and its saying they are Portugese and came out mid 80's. Its also saying they are NATO rounds. My question is are they safe to shoot in my Mossberg Trek and my Browning X Bolt? Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[MThuntr]

should be fine. 7.62x51 can be used in a 308. From what I've read 308 shouldn't be shot in a 7.62 chamber.

 

[Redwood]

FNM 82-27. Free National Movement, man. 1982, lot #27. It's good stuff, Samco imported the hell out of it. Semi autos love it, some lots have more duds then others. Have a berdan primer. Go shoot it.

 

[sbhooper]

should be fine. 7.62x51 can be used in a 308. From what i've read 308 shouldn't be shot in a 7.62 chamber.

7.62 is .308.

 

[chuckyd313]

Thanks fellas.

 

[chuckyd313]

I was curious because i was told .223 can be shot in 5.56 but 5.56 can not be shot in .223. Something to do with the back pressure.

 

[noharleyyet]

Although not identical, the 7.62×51mm NATO and the commercial .308 Winchester cartridges are similar enough that they can be loaded into rifles chambered for the other round, but .308 cartridges are typically loaded to higher pressures than 7.62x51mm cartridges for use in long-distance hunting of big-game animals. Even though the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) does not consider it unsafe to fire the commercial round in weapons chambered for the NATO round, there is significant discussion[3][4][5] about compatible chamber and muzzle pressures between the two cartridges based on powder loads and wall thicknesses on the military vs. commercial rounds. While the debate goes both ways, the ATF recommends checking the stamping on the barrel; if you're unsure, consult the maker of the firearm.[6][7]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62×51mm_NATO

 

[chuckyd313]

Noharley can you break that down into simple Redneck terms for me please

 

[noharleyyet]

"Interchangeable but consider our ass covered for saying so if it blows up

yours truly,

Heywood Yusume

 

[danr55]

NHY,, well said..

 

[schmalts]

Be carefull, some mil-surp ammo can be corrosive or mildly corrosive. I bought some 7.62X39 a few years ago from a big outfit and it was advertised as non-corrosive. I shot the gun and a couple weeks later looked over at it leaning against the wall and noticed a reddish color on the end of the barrel..... pit city

 

[rhomas]

chuckyd313 your comment " I was curious because i was told .223 can be shot in 5.56 but 5.56 can not be shot in .223. Something to do with the back pressure." is correct (also the cartridge length is slightly different). As for the 7.62x51, I'm no expert; but I did have a rifle instructor from Ft. Stewart tell me it is the same as .308, only that the 7.62x51 ammo isn't available in hunting configurations. He also mentioned the corrosive potential of some NATO rounds manufactured overseas. I decided I'd rather not take a chance so I'm sticking with ammo that is labeled .308 and made in the US (btw, both of my .308 rifles prefer Winchester SuperX 150 grain power points or fail safes).

 

[GSP4EVER]

I know we are comparing bolt action to lever action, but I cannot shoot NATO rounds through my Browning BLR 308. Out of 20 rounds, only 8 rounds was I able to get the lever fully closed. FWIW

 

[rhomas]

GSP4EVER, could there also be a slight difference in the cartridge length with them, as well?

I haven't tried to shoot any of the 7.62x51 ammo in either of my .308 rifles, but I do have some of the 5.56 for my Bushmaster M4 which indicates on the barrel that it will accept both the .223 and the 5.56 rounds. On the other hand my Mini-14 states .223, so I haven't tried any of the 5.56 ammo, and don't intend to, in it.

 

[chuckyd313]

Thanks for all the feed back fellas. I really do appreciate it.

 

[HSi-ESi]

I haven't shot 7.62 rounds through my Browning BLR81 (.308) - but I do handload and it can be tough to chamber a round if the case sizing wasn't done in a small base die.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/681255/rcbs-small-base-2-die-set-308-winchester

As stated, small base dies resize to the minimum spec's.

So I'm not surprised that some military rounds wouldn't function well in the BLR.

 

[GSP4EVER]

rhomas, im not sure but there possibly could be.

His- I handload too. I may have to look into this die set. Im curious though, the description stated to not be used in bolt actions. Which is fine, I don't mind keeping ammo separated for a specific rifle. But why? I know it said something about setting the shoulders back a little. IT may also explain why some of my loads wont allow me to fully close the lever either.

Sorry to the OP for getting close to the hijacked point.

 

[chuckyd313]

Its ok GSP i got the answers I needed. Happy the OP could spring up other questions and help other people.