Is the .308 Dead Yet?

J

Jamie Young

New member
Has everyone dumped the .308 as a Military Rifle now? I mean officially? I honestly think that India Is the only country I can name off the top of my head that is sticking with it. Every night I watch TV I never see anything in .308 anymore. I have a hard time trying to figure out what some of the European Countries have in Bosnia? What else is there besides the M16/G36/AK47 and AK 74 in Europe?
 
RUmors of it's death are greatly exaggerated

Umm, wouldn't call it dead yet. Heck, just on the US side, the SEALS use the 7.62 NATO M14, and now the new (Army, Marine corp?)Designated Marksman Rifle is a warmed-over M14, not to mention the M24 and M40 sniper rifle systems are all 7.62 NATO. Then there's the 7.62mm full-auto's still in US service. Ok, then overseas, there's gawd knows how many FALs, G-3s, Galils, BM-59s, and bolt tactical rifles in service...
 
Well, something like 90 countries adopted to FAL at some point. I'm guessing that not all of them have the financial wherewithal to replace them. I bet you'll find plenty in places like West Africa, for example.

Besides, this cartridge, like its big brother the venerable .30-06 will be around forever among civilian shooters and hunters. There's such a wide selection of bullets for the reloader and such a huge amount of gov't. surplus for the freeloader (like me, don't get all huffy now! ;)) that it's hard to imagine it ever really going away.
 
Mike Kilo Niner that was going to be my next question. I was wondering how close the .308 was to joining the 30/06,8mm and the .303? I think its getting pretty close maybe another decade to go. I'm sure its always going to be around especially with American shooters.
 
Aside from rifles, isn't there a pretty good niche for .30 cal in the machine-gun role? Seems like a good choice for light vehicles and choppers where an M2 would be too bulky.
 
Considering that 7.62x51 is a NATO standard and used in every NATO country's GPMGs, it' going to be around for quite some time.
 
Destructo6 I don't think too many NATO countries still have the .308 as there Standard Cartridge? Germany now has the G36 I think Spain is taking on the G36 but giving it another name. I'm pretty sure Britain has gone over to the other side as well. Who's left? Isn't Austria out now too?
 
I am all in favor of our potential enemies using inferior 5.56 as we stock up on 7.62-stoked FALs and M1As.

Rick
 
Spain uses a CETME-made 7.62x51 version of the MG-42. Norway uses a similar MG-42. Britain and several other countries use the FN MAG-58 (including the US as the M240G), also in 7.62x51.

7.62 NATO is a great GPMG round and should be around for a while.
 
I'm all in favor of keeping the .223/5.56 over the .308. After all, you never know when the prarie dogs or woodchucks will take up arms and rise against us.
 
I just realized how many people are viewing this thread and I don't want to post another one, so maybe some of you can answer this.... What are the Pros and Cons of the FAL and the M1A? When comparing one to the other? Lets not turn this into a .308vs.223 debate!
 
FAL vs. M1A

You can get a parts gun FAL cheaper. But, between a quality FAL and a Quality M1A...

Both can be made accurate as all hell. The M1A, in the form of the M21, is used by snipers in the Army. Both can be scoped, both accept 20 round magazines, and magazines for both can still be found fairly cheap (after market ones, of course).

You can get a DSA FAL in several other chamberings besides .308, but that's not the topic.

It's my understanding that the M1A is a little lighter. They're both going to put you back anywhere from a grand to twelve hundred bucks, so, price-wise, they're about equal.

Me, I'd get an M1A, if I had the bread. :)
 
I'm ordering my DSA STG58 this week. I someday would like to get an M1 and an M1A but I personally like the FAL for several reasons. I have little experience with Battle Rifles and I'm just curious how they compare to each other. I've read that the FAL was considered Superior to the M14 back in the late 50's and early 60's but I'm not sure why?
 
Ballistics.

I just read recently, and I honestly can't remember where, that the reason NATO countries use 5.56, is because it is ballistically superior to 7.62. It said that when the range is more than a few hundred yards, the round is more likely to penetrate, bounce around, and cause more damage, whereas the 7.62 either goes in and out, or just stays in one spot. Besides, they had to be different than Russia, and the Warsaw Pact, right?
 
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