Shoot 7.62x51 NATO Ammo in a Rem 700P?

[Race]

Are there any problems with firing 7.62x51 NATO ammo in a stock Rem 700P .308?

Are there any dimensional differences as there are with .223 and 5.56x45?

Thanks.

[SHIVAN]

I have shot M118LR in a Remington 700P with no problems. I believe 7.62N is actually a lower pressure then commercial .308 Win, so it should probably be Ok all around.

Obviously, it would be safest to check each round fired for the first box of ammo to see if there are any pressure signs.

[Gutshot John]

Generally speaking 7.62 has a thicker case, which results in slightly less powder, but there is no dimensional difference other than a slightly different headspace, that is still within the "go" region of both. If you have a tight or "match" .308 chamber you MAY find that 7.62 is a bit sticky in a semi-auto but that shouldn't be a problem in a bolt.

Shivan is correct that civilian .308 is higher pressure mostly because of the increased amount of powder in the charge. IIRC it's the exact opposite for .223/5.56 in that the military round is higher pressure.

Google Fu will probably give you a more definitive answer.

[Race]

Thanks, guys. That's what I was looking for.

[sinister]

Factory Remington 308s and 30-06s usually have extremely LONG throats to allow chambering 200-grain round nose big-game bullets.

I doubt you'll ever have pressure problems shooting either commercial or military ammo (including any brand of military surplus) out of a factory 700, regardless of the identifier (V, VS, VLS, VSSF, or P).

It is tribute that most folks can shoot a factory 700 so well, given the bullet jumps most will have from case mouth to actually touching rifling!

[Race]

Shivan is correct that civilian .308 is higher pressure mostly because of the increased amount of powder in the charge. IIRC it's the exact opposite for .223/5.56 in that the military round is higher pressure.

Is it okay to shoot 5.56 NATO in a factory Rem 700P .223 rifle?

Should I get a buddy to shoot it first, while I stand behind a tree? (Just kidding...)

Thanks again.

[Gutshot John]

Is it okay to shoot 5.56 NATO in a factory Rem 700P .223 rifle?

Should I get a buddy to shoot it first, while I stand behind a tree? (Just kidding...)

Thanks again.

Actually I can't answer that for a Remington 700 in .223. The only .223 I shoot is out of a 5.56 AR/M4.

I'd imagine it's less of an issue for bolt rifles, but that's only a guess.

[BIGUGLY]

5.56 develops higher pressure than a .223. I don't remember the SAAMI specs but it is quite a bit higher than commercial .223.

It would be safe to shoot .223 in a 5.56 chambered rifle due to the rifle built to withstand the higher pressure of the 5.56.

I have known guys shooting 5.56 in a gun chambered in .223 with no problems. Just be aware of the higher pressure.

[Littlelebowski]

It is fine to shoot it.

[THT]

I've shot both 7.62x51 and .308 out of my 5R without ill effect. As it's already been stated, 7.62x51 IS a loaded to a lower pressure than .308 due to the thickness of the brass.