308 Winchester Ammo Guide: Facts, NATO Notes and Stock

We do not stock .308 Winchester or 7.62x51mm NATO right now. This guide covers the cartridge itself: where it came from, how .308 Winchester relates to 7.62x51 NATO, and which bullet weights are common, so you can buy the right box wherever you shop. If you shoot another rifle caliber, we stock 6.5 Creedmoor, 7.62x54R and more at our Phoenix warehouse, listed at the end.

Where .308 Winchester came from

Winchester introduced the .308 Winchester in 1952. Its own historical timeline notes that the cartridge became the standard rifle round of NATO, in military form as 7.62x51mm NATO. It is a short-action cartridge, which means it fits shorter, lighter rifle actions than older full-length rounds such as the .30-06, while staying in the same general class of performance. That combination made it a long-running choice for hunting, target shooting and military-pattern semi-automatic rifles.

.308 Winchester vs 7.62x51 NATO

The two cartridges share nearly the same outside dimensions, but they are defined by different standards bodies. .308 Winchester is a commercial cartridge defined by SAAMI. 7.62x51 is a military cartridge defined by NATO specifications. SAAMI's standard sets a maximum average pressure of 62,000 psi for .308 Winchester, measured with a transducer. NATO's own specification lists a maximum chamber pressure of 415 megapascals for 7.62x51, a little over 60,000 psi. The headspace requirements of the two chambers also differ slightly, and in some rifles that matters more than the pressure numbers.

The practical rule: follow the marking on your barrel and the rifle maker's manual. Many modern rifles are rated for both. Some older military rifles and some worn chambers are a concern, and a gunsmith can check headspace if you are unsure. We do not give a blanket "they are interchangeable" answer, because the right answer depends on the rifle.

Common .308 bullet weights

SAAMI's velocity table for .308 Winchester covers bullets from 110 to 200 grains. The weights you see most often on shelves:

• 147 to 150 grain: common in full metal jacket practice ammunition and many hunting loads.
• 165 to 168 grain: common for hunting and for match ammunition.
• 175 grain: a common match weight for longer target distances.
• 180 grain: a heavier hunting weight for larger game.

Heavier bullets usually leave the muzzle slower. In SAAMI's table, 150 grain loads are listed around 2,900 feet per second and 180 grain loads around 2,600 feet per second from the standard test barrel. Read what grain means in ammo for the background.

How to choose .308 ammo

• Confirm the barrel marking: .308 Win, 7.62 NATO, or both.
• Pick a bullet type for the job: full metal jacket for practice, a soft point or expanding bullet for hunting, a match bullet for precision work.
• Check range rules on steel-core and bimetal bullets.
• Check Arizona hunting regulations for your hunt before choosing a hunting load. See Arizona ammo laws for buying rules.

Rifle ammo we do stock

None of these fire in a .308 chamber. They are listed for owners of other rifles:

• Hornady American Whitetail 6.5 Creedmoor 129 grain InterLock (81489): a hunting soft point in 20-round boxes and 200-round cases. 6.5 Creedmoor is a different short-action cartridge, not a .308. See 6.5mm Creedmoor.
• Wolf Military Classic 7.62x54R 148 grain FMJ bimetal (MC76254R148B): for Mosin-Nagant and other 7.62x54R rifles, in 20-, 200- and 500-round packs. 7.62x54R is not .308 despite the "7.62" in the name. See 7.62x54R.
• Everything else, from .223 to .50 BMG, is in rifle ammo.

Shipping, pickup and age

For the rifle ammunition we do stock, orders ship UPS Ground from Phoenix within 2 business days, charged by weight, never free. Check where we ship. Phoenix-area buyers can call 480-623-4515 and pick up Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with ID. You must be 21 or older to order.

308 Winchester questions

Does Heisenberg Ammo sell .308 Winchester?

Not right now. We do not stock .308 Winchester or 7.62x51 NATO. Our current rifle lineup is in the rifle ammo category, and you can call 480-623-4515 to ask about future stock.

Is 7.62x51 NATO the same as .308 Winchester?

They are close relatives with nearly the same outside dimensions, but they are defined by different standards, with different pressure ratings and slightly different headspace requirements. Follow your barrel marking and your rifle maker's guidance on which to fire.

When was .308 Winchester introduced?

Winchester introduced it in 1952, and the military version became the NATO standard rifle cartridge as 7.62x51mm.

Can I shoot 7.62x39 or 7.62x54R in a .308 rifle?

No. 7.62x39, 7.62x54R and .308 Winchester are three different cartridges with different case dimensions. Only fire the cartridge marked on your barrel. See our 7.62x39 guide.

More answers in our ammo FAQ.