.308 WINCHESTER VS. 7.62 NATO

[Deleted member 137765]

Given the CURRENT reality of ammo availability today and considering a desire to purchase multiple cases of match-lot ammo (I'm not a re-loader) and absent any specific requirements for the ammo (other than it can be shot from an AR10) can anyone give me actionable advice on finding something suitable for self defense that this rifle will eat without a probolem?

Might use the ammo for predator calling in addition to practice and/or during a second civil war should one occur. I have never fired anything but hunting rounds in .308win thru my ARs and that ammo is unavailable almost everywhere in any volume. Thanks for your input.

 

[Ravenworks]

Any American or German machine gun ammo.
Match ammo is a waste for self defense

 

[Downtown]

There is a good availability of ammo meeting that critera, at what might be considered reasonable prices.

20 Round Box - 7.62x51mm 175 Grain M118 Long Range Sierra Matchking BTHP Lake City Winchester Service Grade Ammo - SGM118LRW | SGAmmo.com

20 Round Box of 7.62x51mm 175 Grain Sierra Matchking BTHP Service Grade Winchester Ammo For SaleSKU # SGM118LRWNotice: Due to the unpolished nature of this ammo it may have cosmetic staining and tarnish on the cartridge case.

www.sgammo.com

20 Round Box - 308 Win 148 Grain FMJ - German Military Surplus Ammo - AM2030 - Read Description | SGAmmo.com

SGAmmo.com, bulk ammo sold by the case at the best lowest prices for sale anywhere online

www.sgammo.com

 

[Deleted member 137765]

Any American or German machine gun ammo.
Match ammo is a waste for self defense

No...not match ammo...match-lot ammo. Ammo from the same batch. Nobody ships to California anymore, ammo is harder to find than unicorns.

 

[Sleddog30]

I’ve shot ZQI, MEM, PPU, PMC, Prvi, and other bulk 7.62x51 ammo in my 308 AR10. They all shoot with no jambs or feed problems. And are fairly accurate. But they are all FMJ.

Unless your rifle is finicky about ammo, you should not have an issue. I would try and get a few boxes, instead of a case, to make sure you rifle eats it without any problems.

I’ve shot the same ammo in your SG Ammo link. No issues. Same lot or not has not made any difference in my rifle.

 

[Deleted member 137765]

Read this thread: https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/nosler-175-rdf.6259114/

Was able to find 39 boxes of NOSLER HPBT 308 WIN 175GR. RDF so i hope it is as forgiving at the posters claim. Happy to have found some ammo. (sigh) If the UL AR doesn't like it my other ARs will.

 

[Ravenworks]

Don't over think this, ANY M80 ammo will do what you need it to do.
Does NOT need to be from the same lot.
So unless you're shooting 1,000 yard service rifle there's no need to pay the premium.
Put it this way a year ago we were buying ammo for 1/4 of todays prices.
Will that ammo fit in your magazines?
It states the OAL so I'm betting no.

 

[TurboTrout]

M80 ball should do the job, magtech was my go to <400yrd range ammo, half the price of the 308 matchking tipped stuff, but this was a bolt action where I was shooting and judging on targets, not just a minute of man or yote.

I’d wager most things will meet their maker if they connect with most any 7.62/308 round, especially small pests and humans, in a defense situation I’d almost be more concerned with over penetration and recoil, frankly in that role and platform I’d think a 223/556 would be better

 

[Lug Nut]

Indeed.

For self-defense, most any will do. I can’t imagine self defense shots to be more than 100 yards, if that. I would not worry about same lot issues.

It looks like ammo seek is locating a descent selection these days.

Like the other poster wrote, try a few boxes to see how your gun likes it.

You may even find something that your gun just happens to shoot small groups with.

Ya never know.

And what a tease. Sexy rifle on the scale and we can’t see how much it weighs.

 

[GUNNER10]

The 2 rounds are interchangeable for the most part. Some commercial 308 is loaded hotter than 7.62 and could cause problems in some semi-autos. You run into exactly the same problem with your 30-06. Commercial loads that are too hot won't function in your 30-06 rifles either. There could easily be at least 3 different names for 30-06 ammo, but we get buy with only one name with that round. Having a civilian name and military name for 308 and 223 seems to cause a lot of confusion.

This.

From a practical stance there is no real difference, most of these rounds are going to fall in a pressure window which should be fine for most semi auto's

The only 308 that I would not mess around with in a gas gun is the Hornady super velocity stuff. other than that you should be good to go

 

[bfoosh006]

The above mentioned German Surplus ammo has proven to be very accurate out of my .308 / 7.62 AR's.

However, I have tuned all my Large Frames, to a softer less "violent" cycling ... so I would try a box first, just to make sure it isn't ripping the rim of the case in your Large Frame.


As for a suitable SD round... fortunately even a decent SP bullet will work. And as you mentioned, finding any in bulk , is a PITA currently.

This might help...
https://ammoseek.com/ammo/308-winchester?co=new&ca=brass&ikw=Soft Point

And.. I can't read the scale weight ?

 

[Praetorian_6]

I wouldn't buy that M118LR stuff for over $2/rnd anymore. I just bought 175 gr FGMM for $1.75/rnd, locally. I was gritting my teeth even doing that, because the last stuff I bought was reloaded M118LR for 0.82/rnd from american marksman, which has doubled in price since then. Prices seem to be plateauing and even slightly dropping and availability is improving.

 

[RUTGERS95]

The above mentioned German Surplus ammo has proven to be very accurate out of my .308 / 7.62 AR's.

View attachment 7636656

However, I have tuned all my Large Frames, to a softer less "violent" cycling ... so I would try a box first, just to make sure it isn't ripping the rim of the case in your Large Frame.


As for a suitable SD round... fortunately even a decent SP bullet will work. And as you mentioned, finding any in bulk , is a PITA currently.

This might help...
https://ammoseek.com/ammo/308-winchester?co=new&ca=brass&ikw=Soft Point

And.. I can't read the scale weight ?

DAG is my go to, best there is really for cheap ammo

 

[Deleted member 137765]

I do ADC work on cattle ranchers with a high risk of illegals trespassing with drugs and arms. It's why I stopped using a 22-250. But I managed to locate 39 boxes of nosler hpbt 308 win 175gr. rdf so I'll give that shit a try. Just got lucky I guess. Bought all they had left in stock.

 

[Lug Nut]

Well, that shuts me up. I take back what I said about 100 yards or less. I see this is an actual working rifle you may call upon for longer shots.

Good ammo score. Hope it works out.

The rifle is light. Thanks for posting.

I’ll go back to my room, now.

 

[79steeler]

Build sheet for that super light AR10??

 

[Greg Langelius *]

My attitudes are different (naturally...)

If the opponent is 1000yd away, do they actually constitute a personal threat?

We discussed field expedient replacement ammunition for the M-14 in the Corps and concluded that Deer ammo is not only an equivalent, but superior to M-80 in terms of terminal performance. The construction/design of the rifle would determine the suitability of the load, based primarily on action durability.

I would suggest one of the more popular deer loads in a range between 150gr and 165gr. Assuming availability, I'd consider this. Load Data.

Greg

 

[RUTGERS95]

My attitudes are different (naturally...)

If the opponent is 1000yd away, do they actually constitute a personal threat?

We discussed field expedient replacement ammunition for the M-14 in the Corps and concluded that Deer ammo is not only an equivalent, but superior to M-80 in terms of terminal performance. The construction/design of the rifle would determine the suitability of the load, based primarily on action durability.

I would suggest one of the more popular deer loads in a range between 150gr and 165gr. Assuming availability, I'd consider this. Load Data.

Greg

great post

 

[fdkay]

When you mentioned self-defense, I'm willing to bet that most folks thought home defense.
When you elaborated, then we had a clue to the need.
You scored yourself what you need, in the future, you can keep an eye out for the Hornady ELDM or ELDX loads.

 

[W54/XM-388]

We discussed field expedient replacement ammunition for the M-14 in the Corps and concluded that Deer ammo is not only an equivalent, but superior to M-80 in terms of terminal performance. The construction/design of the rifle would determine the suitability of the load, based primarily on action durability.

I would suggest one of the more popular deer loads in a range between 150gr and 165gr. Assuming availability, I'd consider this. Load Data.

Greg

I'd say this is worth repeating.

I see lots of folks rushing to buy cases of "military" ammo in both .308 and .223 full of bullets that make excellent ice picks but would be considered borderline to ethically hunt animals with.

You would probably be better off finding a really good accurate deer hunting round that works well in your rifle, or better yet loading your own that is customized to your rifle & shoots very accurately out of your barrel and having 100 or so of those on hand. Normally you'll be looking at thin, skinned medium deer types, then you are all good assuming you have the hunting license and tags for them.

In the event you get some bears and have tags for them, you have a magazine or two of your favourite ice picks, or just be really good at aiming.

A good LPVO in the 1-8 or 1-10 range would greatly improve your ability to deal with anything at range by being able to accurately engage your targets.

 

[DRT308]

I've always had good success with this, 168 gr. hpbt Found this $22.00/bx which is a good price at todays prices at AIM.

 

[RUTGERS95]

View attachment 7644068
I've always had good success with this, 168 gr. hpbt Found this $22.00/bx which is a good price at todays prices at AIM.

the old green box of this was great

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Almost all the ammunition I shoot, I make. These days they are made, whenever possible, with Speer Gold Dot Rifle bullets; superior Accuracy, and superior Terminal Performance.

They make .224 62gr and 75gr, and .308 150 and 168. I also use .264 95, 120, and 140 in the 6.5 Grendel and 260 Rem.

I spent 13 months in a place where our government was trying to send a message, paid up in the currency of young American Lives. They gave us the usual MilSpec ice pick bullets to defend ourselves with.

Never again.

Greg

 

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[theLBC]

for cheap m80, i've had great results with PPU. LAX Ammo typically has it, but it is over priced now.