Who Makes 7.62 NATO Ammo?

Who Makes 7.62 NATO Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes 7.62 NATO ammo today. This caliber has persisted in common use for many years throughout the world. The 7.62 NATO cartridge has been utilized by militaries across the globe for over 70 years in various capacities. Today, we will explore the round’s traits, who makes 7.62 NATO ammunition, what types of loadings are available, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about who makes 7.62 NATO ammo.

What is 7.62 NATO?

Derived from the same T65 series of experimental cartridges as .308 Win, the 7.62 NATO entered service in 1954. Formally, the round bears the designation of 7.62x51mm NATO, often called 7.62x51 or 7.62 NATO for short. 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 7.62 NATO has been utilized in battle rifles, marksman rifles, assault rifles, and machine guns. Recoil for the 7.62 NATO is very similar to the impulse yielded by similar .308 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 7.62 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, making it viable for precision applications. The wide range of grain weights and loadings makes the cartridge versatile and appropriate for a variety of use cases.

What Firearms Use 7.62 NATO Ammo?

Currently, the market has many firearm options capable of accommodating 7.62 NATO ammo. Firearm offerings of this type are commonly available at most places where firearms are sold. Notably, firearms chambered in .308 are capable of accepting 7.62 NATO ammo. Beyond .308 chambered firearms, there are a few offerings which are specifically chambered for 7.62 NATO. Shooters will find semi-automatic rifles and manual action rifle such as bolt action designs which accommodate the caliber. These firearms are available in various styles and configurations. Daniel Defense, FN, Bergara, Ruger, and Springfield Armory are among the producers of firearms that accept 7.62 NATO ammo. There are also milsurp firearms like Spanish FR-8 rifles and FAL parts kit builds which are intended for use with 7.62 NATO ammo. Prospective builders can also construct multiple types of firearms capable of accepting 7.62 NATO ammo. These firearms come in the form of old military parts kits or even in the form of modern AR-10s. Put plainly, one can easily purchase or build a firearm capable of accommodating 7.62 NATO ammunition. Purchase 7.62 NATO Ammo

What is 7.62 NATO Ammo Used For?

Like nearly every caliber, 7.62 NATO ammo can effectively be utilized for recreational shooting. This is to say that one can find great enjoyment in plinking and casually shooting a 7.62 NATO chambered firearm. Surplus 7.62 NATO loadings can still be found which make it easy to stock up on cheap ammo for plinking and training. Of course, the various commercial 7.62 NATO offerings, particularly M80 ball type loadings, are optimal for this use case. General purpose 7.62 NATO ammo exists in brass and steel form, allowing shooters to stock up for recreational shooting and training. Many shooters employ the cartridge as their main go-to rifle caliber. This is to say that there are many who depend on the caliber for various purposes beyond recreation. Many shooters trust the caliber for various defensive uses whether one is protecting their family, home, or property. This is realistic given the round’s martial history and the presence of appropriate firearms and loadings on the market. Modern firearms that accommodate the caliber can be optimized for self-defense use, giving users viable hosts for this use case. Hunters have found that round excels at dispatching medium-sized game such as deer. The cartridge hits with authority and has modest recoil, providing hunters with a viable cartridge. Additionally, like other cartridges, the 7.62 NATO also benefits from modern loadings optimized for hunting. As with any hunting, one should ensure they employ appropriate ammo, firearms, equipment, and practices for the game they are pursuing. Doing so ensures both an optimal and ethical hunt. Simply put, the 7.62 NATO cartridge is well-suited for hunting purposes.

Who Makes General Purpose 7.62 NATO Ammo?

There are many companies who make general purpose 7.62 NATO ammo. These loadings commonly feature full metal jacket (FMJ) or hollow point projectiles. Grain weights typically range from 140 to 150 grains. These projectiles are suitable for various uses such as plinking, training, and competitions. Loadings of this type are common and are generally the most affordable 7.62 NATO ammunition offerings on the market. Additionally, these loadings tend to be the most common and accessible 7.62 NATO offerings on the market. Igman, Magtech, Aguila, and PMC produce ammunition of this type.

Who Makes Defensive 7.62 NATO Ammo?

While not as supported by duty-ready loadings as other calibers, few companies currently produce defensive 7.62 NATO ammo. Defensive loadings are simply more common in the form of .308 ammo offerings and other common duty calibers. These loadings generally feature hollow point projectiles or other specialty bullets optimized for defensive use. Loadings of this type are optimized to achieve adequate levels of penetration and expansion conducive to stopping a threat. Additionally, loadings of this type are designed with precision in mind and are often designed to not overpenetrate targets. Magtech notably produces a 7.62 NATO loading in their First Defense Tactical ammunition line.

Who Makes Specialty 7.62 NATO Ammo?

Specialty 7.62 NATO ammo is produced by several companies for various purposes. Shooters primarily utilize specialty 7.62 NATO ammunition for use cases such as hunting and precision shooting. Many specialty 7.62 NATO offerings are specifically tailored for long range precision use cases. As a whole, these loadings are available in various grain weights and with purpose-built projectiles suitable for specialized tasks. Projectiles range from soft point (SP), Hornady V-Max, and open-tip match (OTM) bullets to name a few. Winchester, PMC, Vairog, and Druid Hill Armory are among the producers of specialty 7.62 NATO ammo. Purchase 7.62 NATO Ammo

Is 7.62 NATO Ammo Expensive?

Like most calibers and ammo offerings, price depends upon the specifics of a given loading. Additionally, the cost of materials and labor come into play when it comes to ammunition pricing. This is why general-purpose loadings tend to be cheap and affordable while more specialized offerings tend to demand higher prices. For example, a 140 grain FMJ M80 spec loading will be cheaper than a 175 grain M118 Long Range spec offering. Of course, one can save on ammo when purchasing bulk quantities as there is usually a price break at the case level. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that prices are often subject to change and fluctuation factors such as supply and demand come into play. Of course, this caliber can still be found in the form of cheap surplus ammo at times. All in all, some 7.62 NATO is going to be affordable and economically priced while others are more costly. This is especially true if they are specialty loadings.

Is 7.62 NATO Ammo Easy to Find?

At this point in time, 7.62 NATO ammunition is available in many forms. The cartridge continues to be one of the most common rifle cartridges found on the market. That being said, a majority of the 7.62 NATO ammo one will encounter today will be of the general-purpose variety. Specialty loadings and alternative offerings can be found but are ultimately overshadowed by standard FMJ type loadings. As mentioned, surplus 7.62 NATO ammo in military spec loadings is also common on today’s market. Additionally, one can purchase 7.62 NATO ammo in various quantities. Quantities range from individual box offerings to bulk ammo offerings. Bulk 7.62 NATO ammo offerings can be found in the form of case quantities and ammo cans. These bulk ammunition offerings allow users to quickly build up their stock of 7.62 NATO ammo in various increments. Loadings for 7.62 NATO are commonly found at most places where ammunition is sold. Additionally, if one elects to shop for 7.62 NATO ammo online, their options become even broader. This can come in handy if one is looking for a specific loading for specialized use cases such as hunting or precision shooting. Simply put, one will have no issue finding 7.62 NATO ammunition.

Conclusion

All in all, 7.62 NATO ammo and firearms accommodating the round remain common on the American market. With loadings tailored for a wide range of use cases, shooters can find 7.62 NATO ammunition optimal for their purposes. From hunting to suppressed shooting and recreation, there are plenty of optimal loadings on the market. We here at True Shot Ammo carry 7.62 NATO in addition to our range of ammo for sale. Our inventory of ammunition for sale covers popular calibers like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Put plainly, we carry a wide range of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammunition optimal for shooters of all types. Whether you want to buy 7.62 NATO ammo or purchase bulk ammo of a different type, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.