About 7.62x51mm NATO
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are covering
7.62x51mm NATO today. The cartridge is one of the most popular and common rifle rounds on the market, currently being employed by shooters of all types. We are covering features, traits, use cases, and other considerations regarding the
7.62x51mm NATO. Without further ado, let’s talk about
7.62x51mm NATO.
What is 7.62x51mm NATO?
Derived from the same T65 series of experimental cartridges as the
.308 Winchester, the
7.62x51mm NATO entered service in 1954. The cartridge’s shorter overall length when compared to something like the
.30-06 Springfield makes it well-suited for use in semi-automatic rifles. Reliable function in semi-automatic firearms was a major focus during the cartridge’s development in the 1950’s. Following adoption by NATO, the
7.62x51mm NATO has been utilized in battle rifles, marksman rifles, assault rifles, and machine guns. Notably, firearms such as the HK G3, FN FAL, M14, and M60 light machine gun have been chambered in
7.62x51mm NATO.
Recoil for the
7.62x51mm NATO cartridge is very similar to the impulse yielded by similar
.308 Winchester loadings. While the recoil of the cartridge is stout, it is notably tamer than that of a
.30-06 Springfield or other full-sized rifle rounds. Common grain weights for the
7.62x51mm NATO range from 147 grain to weights in the 180 grain range. The cartridge also has great potential for accuracy and performance out to extended ranges, something evident in its use in sniper rifles and marksmanship roles. The wide range of grain weights and loadings makes the cartridge versatile and appropriate for a variety of use cases.
The round eventually saw some level of replacement by the
5.56x45mm NATO round after its adoption as a NATO standardized round in the 1980s. While some countries adopted the
5.56 NATO, there are still many countries and members of NATO who field the
7.62x51mm NATO in primary or secondary capacities. The cartridge has a solid reputation as a military round and among shooters on the homefront, making it one of the most well-known rifle cartridges in existence. Recreational shooting, hunting, plinking, and milsurp shooting are easily accomplished by this cartridge.
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Other Names for the Cartridge
While the official designation for the cartridge is
7.62x51mm NATO, the cartridge is known by other names as well. Often times, the cartridge is described without the “NATO” designation at the end of the cartridge’s name as
7.62x51mm. Other times, the cartridge is simply referred to as
7.62 NATO or minimally as “
762.” Shooters will often make the effort to include the “NATO” designation to differentiate it from other calibers like
7.62x39 or
7.62x54r. With the exception of the simple “
762” designation, the other common names for the cartridge mentioned above appear on
ammunition boxes, casings, and firearms.
Potential for Interchangeability
The potential for interchangeability exists between the
7.62x51mm NATO and the
.308 Winchester. Firearms chambered in
7.62x51mm NATO should only be used with
7.62x51mm NATO ammunition, never with
.308 Winchester ammo. This is because
.308 Winchester ammunition yields higher pressures than
7.62x51mm NATO ammo does. Conversely,
.308 Winchester chambered firearms can shoot both
.308 Winchester ammunition and
7.62x51mm NATO ammo. This is due to the fact that
.308 Winchester chambered firearms are designed to handle the higher pressures of their caliber.
How Available is 7.62x51mm NATO Ammunition?
At this point in time,
7.62x51mm NATO ammunition is easily accessible. While not as plentiful as the
.308 Winchester, the caliber is supported by many
ammo companies that produce loadings of various types. Producers of
7.62x51mm NATO ammo include companies like
PMC,
Magtech,
Aguila, and
Winchester to name a few. Loadings are available in many forms such as full metal jacket (FMJ) range loadings and specialized loads for specific use cases.
Typically, one can purchase
7.62x51mm ammo in various quantities. These quantities range from individual box offerings to
bulk ammo offerings.
Bulk 7.62x51mm NATO ammo offerings are generally found in the form of battle packs,
ammo cans, and case quantities. These loadings are commonly found in most places where
ammo is sold. Additionally, if one elects to
shop for ammo online, their
7.62x51mm NATO become even broader. Simply put, can find
7.62x51mm NATO ammo easily.
How Available are Firearms Chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO?
Currently, there are a wide range of firearms available on the market capable of accepting
7.62x51mm NATO ammo. Firearms of this type are available at most places where firearms are bought and sold. These offerings include firearms specifically chambered in
7.62x51mm NATO as well as offerings which are chambered in
.308 Winchester.
7.62x51mm NATO specific firearms are commonly found in the form of bolt action and semi-automatic rifles.
.308 Winchester firearms are capable of accommodating
7.62x51mm NATO ammo are found in semi-automatic, bolt action, and even lever action form.
One can browse modern offerings and old production offerings in the way of firearms. Parts kit builds of FALs and G3 type rifles along with military surplus firearms such as the Spanish FR 8 tend to be common. Of course, the
7.62x51mm NATO cartridge is most commonly used in firearms chambered in
.308 Winchester. Of course, one could build a rifle in either bolt action or AR-10 form to accommodate
7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. Simply put, one can easily get into a firearm capable of accommodating
7.62x51mm NATO ammo.
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What is 7.62x51mm NATO Used For?
Shooters employ
7.62x51mm NATO for a wide range of use cases and purposes. Plentiful
ammo stocks and cheap
7.62x51mm NATO ammunition make the cartridge well-suited to plinking and training. This is especially relevant when considering surplus
ammo offerings. Simply put,
affordable ammunition is conducive to many well-spent days at the range. Shooters can easily employ
7.62x51mm NATO recreationally or to develop their skills.
The cartridge is also well-suited to battle rifle and military surplus shooters. The aforementioned surplus
ammo offerings in addition to modern production offerings allow an end user to acquire authentic loadings. Loadings of this type, such as M80 ball offerings, are well-suited for use in FAL, G3, and M14 style firearms to name a few.
The
7.62x51mm NATO can also be employed in hunting applications. Medium sized game such as deer are just some of the prey hunters can ethically pursue with
7.62x51mm NATO ammo. Due to its similarities with
.308 Winchester, the
7.62x51mm NATO is capable of taking the same game. As always, one should employ appropriate firearms,
ammo, equipment, and practices while on a hunt. By doing so, one ensures that their hunt will be both ethical and optimal.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the
7.62x51mm NATO is an incredibly versatile and popular rifle cartridge. Its viability in various applications allows it to appeal to a wide range of shooters. We here at True Shot Ammo offer
7.62x51mm NATO ammunition for sale in various loadings for popular use cases such as hunting and defense. Whether you want to
buy 7.62x51mm NATO ammo or
buy ammunition of another type that we stock, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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