Sniper Rifle Ammunition

Popular NATO Sniper Rifle Cartridges

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 cartridge than the 308 and can hold more powder.

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)