[Smokin' Joe]

Not doubting your word, but if you have a link to that info, I'd be happy to learn some more.

The only problems I know of with shooting .308 in a surplus rifle came when someone I know got the bright idea to try some 'light' loads with powder salvaged from some IMI blanks because he thought it looked like BLC-2.

He lucked out, with only minor injuries, and the local Hunter Safety Class got the rifle (actually, what was left of it) as an object example of what NOT to do at a reloading bench.

I could have kicked him, and he knew better, too.

[Soliton]

There are headspace differences between the two rounds. The .308 go-gauge is 1.6300, the .308 no go-gauge is 1.6340. The 7.62 go-gauge is 1.6350, the 7.62 no go-gauge is 1.6405. Since NATO military ammunition can come from any NATO country, and the goal is the ability to interchange ammunition, the military chamber is larger.

The .308 Winchester’s maximum average pressure is 62,000 psi! Notice this is maximum average. Differentmanufacturers products may, or may not reach this pressure, however, they are still within manufacturing specifications if they do.>/p>

In terms of pressure, there is a wide (very wide) gap between the 7.62 NATO and the .308 Winchester. Here at Surplusrifle.com, we recommend in the strongest possible terms that you do not fire factory .308 Winchester ammunition in any Mil-Surp rifle chambered for the 7.62 NATO round. http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/308vs762nato/index.asp