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7.62X51 vs. 308 in 7.62X51 rifle

nemesisenforcernemesisenforcer Member Posts: 10,513 ✭✭✭
So I ordered an Enterprise arms FN FAL carbine. The manufacturer's website says it's chambered in 7.62X51, not .308.

My concern is this: I'll be reloading the brass that I put through it and I know the 308 and 7.62 rounds are not exactly the same. I have 308 win dies but do I need to get 7.62X51 dies (are such dies even made?) for the FAL? I've heard varying opinions on the interchangeability of 7.62 vs. 308 and vice versa.

Looking for someone to clear this mystery up for me definitively.

Comments

  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    .308 dies will be fine. Just make sure you do a full length resize. If you don't, you will have a jam-o-matic on your hands.

    7.62x51 brass is thicker than .308 win factory brass and the 7.62x51 chamber is just a few thousands longer than .308win factory chambers.

    Here is more detail
    http://www.303british.com/id36.html
  • nemesisenforcernemesisenforcer Member Posts: 10,513 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    .308 dies will be fine. Just make sure you do a full length resize. If you don't, you will have a jam-o-matic on your hands.

    7.62x51 brass is thicker than .308 win factory brass and the 7.62x51 chamber is just a few thousands longer than .308win factory chambers.

    Here is more detail
    http://www.303british.com/id36.html


    should I trim the cases shorter because of the length differential if I run them through my 308 die?
  • sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just trying to learn from this post and I have a question - For this type of gun would he need 308 Small Base Dies?......Thanks Mark
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by nemesisenforcer
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    .308 dies will be fine. Just make sure you do a full length resize. If you don't, you will have a jam-o-matic on your hands.

    7.62x51 brass is thicker than .308 win factory brass and the 7.62x51 chamber is just a few thousands longer than .308win factory chambers.

    Here is more detail
    http://www.303british.com/id36.html


    should I trim the cases shorter because of the length differential if I run them through my 308 die?


    Run them full size, Check your length, trim to OAL case spec of 2.015
    De-burr the inside flash hole clean the primer pocket and you should be good to go-

    Constancy is what your looking for. My Semi-auto .308 and Bolt gun .308 ammo in short, are very two different critters as to how the are loaded, sized and prepped.
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by sigarmsp226
    Just trying to learn from this post and I have a question - For this type of gun would he need 308 Small Base Dies?......Thanks Mark


    I don't like them it over works the brass. If this is about the .223/5.56 post

    I Converted my colt H-bar 5.56 to .223. Yes I can get mil-brass to work in it. BUT! it runs much more happy with .223 brass.
    @100 yards the difference will be as much as 1/2" with jams with mil brass.
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:quote:Originally posted by sigarmsp226

    Just trying to learn from this post and I have a question - For this type of gun would he need 308 Small Base Dies?......Thanks Mark


    I would try it without them first if it works leave it alone. If you start to have problems then try them.
  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290
    edited November -1
    Doesn't the FAL and all its' iterations have a striated/fluted chamber? Won't that shorten case life?
  • nemesisenforcernemesisenforcer Member Posts: 10,513 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gunnut505
    Doesn't the FAL and all its' iterations have a striated/fluted chamber? Won't that shorten case life?


    I think that's the HK series.
  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gunnut505
    Doesn't the FAL and all its' iterations have a striated/fluted chamber? Won't that shorten case life?


    Its the HK91 chamber and I don't even try reloading for it. First you have to find it and then the brass is so dented after hitting the ejection port, you almost have to reload for it twice.

    Once to fireform the case back out and once so it can be used in the HK again.
  • fire for effectfire for effect Member Posts: 121 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rsnyder55
    quote:Originally posted by gunnut505
    Doesn't the FAL and all its' iterations have a striated/fluted chamber? Won't that shorten case life?


    Its the HK91 chamber and I don't even try reloading for it. First you have to find it and then the brass is so dented after hitting the ejection port, you almost have to reload for it twice.

    Once to fireform the case back out and once so it can be used in the HK again.


    I have never had a problem reloading Brass that was fired in an Hk91. Finding it can be a problem, but they resize like any other case.


    NRA Endowment Member
    NRa Certified Reloading Instructor
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