Sniper Rifle Ammunition

Popular NATO Sniper Rifle Cartridges

308 Winchester (7.62x51mm NATO)

The T-65 cartridge was introduced in the 1950s as a shortened 30-06 with the same caliber bullet. The new case length is 51mm. In 1957 the US Army adopted the M14 rifle in this 7.62x51mm round.

30-06 Springfield (7.62x63mm NATO)

This cartridge has also been known as the 30 Government M'06 and is made from an adapted 30-03 back in 1906 for the Springfield model 1903 Service Rifle.

The 30-06 is a longer, at 63mm, than the 308 and can hold more powder. The 30-06 was superseded by the 7.62x51mm (308 Win) but in Europe the 30-06, designated 7.62x63mm, is still widely used.

The 30-06 is considered the most flexible, useful, all around big game cartridge available to North American hunters. Although loads up to 220 grain may be used, many expert hunters consider 180 grain loads the best choice for a wide variety of medium to heavy game under almost any hunting condition. The 220 grain load is generally recommended for large African game, but remains inadequate for the heaviest species.

300 Winchester Magnum (7.62x67mm)

The U.S. Army is upgrading its M24 bolt-action sniper rifles to fire the .300 Winchester magnum (7.62x67) round. They will become known as the M24E1. The rifle previously fired the less power 7.62x51mm round.

The 308, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag Debate

Some of these points vary depending upon source and so called expert opinion. Here is a culmination of various talking points from different sources.

• the .300 Winchester Magnum is superior to the 308 [7.62x51 NATO]'
• The 30-06 is a longer cartridge than the 308 and can hold more powder
• The 308 has slightly less power but was a good compromise
• The M1A is a civilian legal semi auto M14
• 30.06 =7.62 X 63mm long
• 7.62mm = 7.62 X 51mm long
• Reports that 7.62 X 51mm is slightly more accurate
• 7.62x51 (.308) is 180 grains. The 7.62x63 (.30-'06) can load 220 grain
• The .30-06 round has more power (barely) and theoretically longer range
• More precision ammunition is made for the .308 Winchester rifle.
• The .308 also has less recoil and barrel life will be longer,
• The .308 is a short-action rifle that is less expensive and more common
• .308 win. and 7.62x51mm/NATO are technically different and arguably interchangeable
• there is a larger variety of ammo types offered for the 30-06 than any of the .308 win. and 7.62x51mm/NATO combined.
• The .300 Winchester Magnum military designation is (7.62x67)
• The US Army is upgrading .308 (7.62x51 NATO) to .300 Win Mag (7.62x67)