What the difference between 7.62 NATO and 308 win?
John Hall
Updated on May 12, 2026
7.62 NATO is rated for a lower max pressure than . 308 Winchester. 7.62 NATO's rating is about 60,000 PSI, and . 308 Win's is 62,000.
Is 308 Win the same as 7.62 NATO?
From an external dimension standpoint, the . 308 Winchester cartridge case and the 7.62 NATO (7.62 x 51 mm) are the same thing. In fact, the 7.62 was developed using the general design of the . 308 as its 'parent' case.Can .308 shoot 7.62 NATO?
As a result, commercial rounds can be up to 12,000 psi hotter than NATO. Therefore, general consensus dictates it's perfectly safe to fire 7.62 NATO in a . 308 Win chamber, but the reverse is inadvisable.Can I shoot NATO rounds in my 308?
If you have a modern . 308 Win. rifle, you should be fine firing any modern commercial . 308 Win. or 7.62 NATO ammo.What does NATO mean in ammo?
Last Updated on January 16, 2022. NATO ammunition refers to the small arms cartridges used by the member-states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization..308Win vs 7.62x51
Why is 308 so popular?
Despite the military dropping 7.62 for its main battle cartridge, the firearms community recognized the superior performance of the . 308. The cartridge quickly became a favorite among sportsman, target shooters, and specialized military units who required long-range precision rounds.Is 308 and 308 win the same?
Although not identical, the . 308 Winchester and military 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges are similar enough that they can be loaded into rifles chambered for the other round, but the . 308 Winchester cartridges are typically loaded to higher pressures than 7.62×51mm NATO service cartridges.What 308 rifle does the military use?
M40A5 Sniper RifleThe M40A5 is the latest in a long line of M40 sniper rifles used by the U.S. Marine Corps. The M40 series is a highly modified Remington 700 hunting rifle, chambered in . 308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO.