.308 vs 7.62x51

[rustybayonet]

Has anyone reloaded 7.62 rounds? I have noticed that the military brass holds 5 grains +/- less powder than a .308, should I start my load 5 grains less than I do for a .308? I have heard of people getting major gas leaks (over charge) in the primer area, by using the same charge from .308 in a 7.62 case.

Edited March 29, 2016 by rustybayonet

[PKT1106]

IIRC, 7.62x51 brass has thicker case walls, reducing the internal volume. I would suggest working up a load with the 7.62 to make sure you don't over charge or trade off the military stuff for commercial 308.

[thermobollocks]

Definitely work up. Unlike 5.56, 7.62 actually does have thicker case walls.

[RiggerJJ]

Work up, as suggested. I use 7.62 brass for long range accurate rounds. Get great performance from those rounds.

And I use a mix of commercial brass for mouse fart close up rounds, different bullet and powder.

jj

Edited March 30, 2016 by RiggerJJ

[BeltFed]

As stated before both 7.62 and 5.56 NATO brass have thicker walls than commercial 308 Winchester and 223 Remington brass, so you need to work up slowly.

I believe Speer makes or made a manual that has data for military brass.

For bulk blasting practice ammo, I load for military brass since I have a big supply, and I hate surprises.

[FlashAndPoof]

Wait... 7.62 Nato brass have thicker walls than .308 Commercial brass?! And 5.56 brass is also thicker than 223 brass??

How have I never noticed this!?!?

So does 5.56 and 7.62 offer more reloads per brass than the thinner commercial version?

[Triggerf16]

Winchester .308 brass is 20 grains lighter than Lake City brass.

[rustybayonet]

Winchester .308 brass is 20 grains lighter than Lake City brass.

The differance I spoke of was volume, not weight. Sorry.