What is the verdict of using regular old winchester white box .308 in a Ishapore Enfield chambered for 7.62 NATO and in a FR-8 Chambered in 7.62 NATO.

There is a difference I just cannot remember which way it goes. I think it is the opposite of 5.56 and .223. .308 has slightly more pressure than 7.62 Nato. Especially modern hunting loads.

Don't do it. For the children.

Send me that .308 and I will properly dispose of it.

Ding! Ding! Ding!   Ding! Ding! Ding!   Ding! Ding! Ding!

We gotta a winner!
Your answer is rrrrright!



Bill

I have been reading "The ABC's of reloading" recently is probably the only reason I know that.

I dont have a .308 bolt gun so Im safe for now, but what would happen?

Stress cracks in the chamber, and if you completely ignored those a kaboom one day possibly. Modern bolt guns are built so well though you would never have to worry. Older rifles though suffer from lower quality metalurgy.

7.62 has a longer head spacing and lower pressure.  The .308 is tighter and higher pressure.

I would not fire .308 in the Enfield unless you feel lucky.  It might not hurt anything but it could be a disaster as well.

if only 7.62 NATO surplus was readily available :/

If I remember correctly 7.62 NATO chamber pressure is something like 50,000 PSI, whereas Modern .308 Winchester chamber pressure is about 85,000 PSI, so yeah firing .308 in a 7.62 Chamber would be bad. .308 is roughly the same as a High Pressure PROOF load for 7.62 NATO you can get away with it ONCE IN A WHILE like for hunting, but DO NOT make a hobby out of it, if you must use .308 Winchester do so only to zero if hunting is your objective, and then only what you need to use in the field, though it would be much wiser to hand load a hunting bullet, over a .762 Spec powder charge, otherwise use .308 for EMERGENCY ONLY, as in your position has been overrun, your out of 7.62 NATO, and it's either use .308 Winchester, or fix bayonet.

Not slight - considerably higher pressure. IIRC, .308 (SAAMI) runs about 62,000 PSI, while 7.62 NATO maxes out at 55,000 PSI. It's not as wide as the gap between .223 and 5.56 (about +/- 20,000 PSI), but you really don't want to be firing .308 in a NATO gun.

i've been using .308 managed recoil ammo in mine with no problems.http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/308vs762nato3/index.asp

Wow you happened to find a write up involving the two specific rifles I wanted to know about.