Military and Standard??

akfanatik

What are the differences in 7.62 Nato brass and standard .308 brass, if i want to reload military brass, what would i need other than the normal stuff, press and so on... i heard that there is a crimp in the primer??

nards444

i dont think anything, NATO just uses metric sizes. To add to that, for what I know you can use both in most weapons. I have a 1903A3, SKS, AK47, 45 and have used both

Herschel

Exterior dimensions will be the same EXCEPT the military brass has thicker cases, thus lower powder capacity. Using commercial brass loading data will result in HIGHER PRESSURE. The "issue type" GI brass has crimped in primers and they will have to be removed with a special tool. Match brass (marked NM on the head) does not have crimped primers. That is about all I can offer to help.

11b6r

As Herschel said- thicker brass= reduced case capacity. Load data for a .308 in a 7.62 NATO case will give higher pressures. 7.62 NATO spec is about 5,000 CUP LESS than spec for .308. Depriming miltary brass can increase your vocabulary, and removing the primer crimp before repriming. 7.62 NATO that has been run thru an M-60 will have a bent case mouth from extraction/ejection. Can be fixed, but will not last as long as other cases.

Mr. Gunz

quote:Originally posted by Herschel
Exterior dimensions will be the same EXCEPT the military brass has thicker cases, thus lower powder capacity. Using commercial brass loading data will result in HIGHER PRESSURE. The "issue type" GI brass has crimped in primers and they will have to be removed with a special tool. Match brass (marked NM on the head) does not have crimped primers. That is about all I can offer to help.


+1...I already told you that

heavyiron

Hi,

Please be aware that there can be major differences in the rifles chambered for 7.62 NATO and the 308 Winchester as well as the ammunition.

With the 7.62 NATO in military rifles and 308 Winchester commercial rifle there can also be headspace issues. The chambers in the military rifles are generally cut and throated more generously since they have to accept loaded ammunition from any NATO country which would include the manufacturing tolerances. Additionally, military rifles receive harder wear and so there are also allowances in chamber and throat dimensions so the rifle will function reliably.

The headspace differences are as follows from the below link. 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.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/308vs762nato/index.asp

Additionally, the pressure differences between the two rounds can be significant as previously stated. The 7.62 has an average pressure of about 50,000 psi. The 308 has an average pressure of about 62,000 psi. I think you can see where this going.

If the rifle is modern, in good condition, and the brass is properly sized for the chamber and throat it probably won't make any difference. But if using a 7.62 NATO military rifle or a civilian target version of a 7.62 NATO that was made with a tight chamber or target chamber and a 308 gets stuffed in it there might be a problem. The other problem scenario would be to use a 308 in an older rifle rechambered in 7.62 NATO and not designed to handle the 62,000 psi.

Just be aware that there are more differences than just the cartridge and that there may also be headspace issues depending upon the dimensions and type of rifle being used. Therefore, it is important as you reload, to reload for the cartridge for which the rifle is chambered and not to intermix the loading data between the two cartridges. In other words, if the rifle is chambered in 7.62 NATO don't use the 308 loading data and vice versa.

Regards,

Heavyiron