308 vs 7.62 NATO: Huge Difference On Steel

Published on December 6, 2022
Duration: 6:48

This guide details a ballistic test comparing the steel penetration capabilities of .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges. Conducted by Banana Ballistics host, the experiment uses controlled variables and custom tools to measure impact depth on steel plates at 50 yards. The results indicate that 7.62 NATO demonstrated superior penetration over .308 Winchester, a finding attributed to potential differences in bullet construction rather than advertised velocity or energy.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic test comparing .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO on steel, 7.62 NATO showed greater penetration depth. Despite .308's higher advertised velocity and energy, the 7.62 NATO round consistently outperformed it on 1/2-inch steel plates, suggesting bullet construction is a key factor.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: .308 vs 7.62 NATO Pressure
  2. 00:32Test Setup & Methodology
  3. 00:48Ammunition Specs: Norma vs ZQI
  4. 01:42Initial Steel Plate Results (1/4", 3/8")
  5. 04:31Measuring Penetration Depth
  6. 05:49Final Results & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO regarding pressure?

.308 Winchester operates at significantly higher chamber pressures than 7.62x51mm NATO. While 7.62 NATO can generally be safely fired in .308 rifles, firing .308 in a 7.62 NATO chamber is typically discouraged due to the risk of dangerous over-pressure events.

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