Surplus 7.62 NATO in a .308 Match chamber: bad idea?

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I know there are slight differences in .308 Winchester and 7.62 NATO, but most of the time it's not big deal. I have however bought a target rifle with a .308 Match chamber, and I think I recall someone saying that you shouldn't shoot surplus 7.62 NATO in such a chamber as it could damage the rifle. Is this true? I was hoping to fire-size some NATO suplus ammo for reloading.
 
Forget "damage". Steel is much harder than brass. The issue is whether or not the dimensional differences--if any--preclude smooth operation in chambering the cartridges, or in extraction of the empty cartridge cases.

Once it's fired, the brass is then fire-formed to your chamber. As always, remember that military brass is slightly thicker than civilian, and your max loads should be reduced accordingly. Most reloading data books, nowadays, offer specific advice on use of such brass.

Regards, Art

[This message has been edited by Art Eatman (edited October 04, 2000).]
 
The only thing you have to worry about is the surplus ammo chambering into the rifling, since a match chamber should have a shorter lead/throat. Obviously this can lead to dangerous chamber pressures. Chamber a round and if it chambers easily and doesnt have rifling marks on the bullet, then fire away.
 
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