Is it safe to shoot .308 in 30-06 bolt-action rifle ??

[nasem]

Was woundering something, since the .308 is so similar in design to the 30-06, is it safe to take a .308 round and shoot it in a 30-06 bolt-action rifle ?  (I know some of you are probebly jumping up and down saying 'NO') but I am not trying to start trouble here, Im just curious to know.

And My 2nd question is, Is it also safe to shoot 7.62 X 39 (ak-ammo) in your 30-06 bolt

Reason Im asking this is because i know the bullet's are the same, its only difference in thier powder charges (and sizes)

by the way, I am not planning to do any of these tests, the reason for my questioning is only because I am a curious son of a B  :-)

[Robert]

I would not consider it safe.  Depending on what rifle you have, it probably would not even work.  But if you have a positive feed....a bolt that grips the rim of the shell, like an older P-17....then yes it can be done.  But I would not say it is safe.  However, you can get a chamber adapter for either of those cartridges that will make this ammo work in a 30-06.  I tried one but the rim ripped off and it got stuck in the chamber, so I will never do this again to any firearm that I value.

[victorcharlie]

It is not safe to fire any round in a chamber that is not intended for that round.  Don't even try it..........now I'm not talking about firing standard cartridges in an Ackley improved chamber etc.........

If you don't know......don't try.......

 

[PA-Joe]

They sell chamber adapters that will allow you to shoot 308, 7.62x39, 30 carbine and 32acp in a 30-06.

[borg1]

i have a chamber adapter to shoot 7.62 x 39 in my .308.  I stopped using it because my rifle is new and i did not want to hurt the throat any.  my guess is that round, even when inserted in the adapter, probably sits a ways behind the rifling.  I suggest getting a stony point chamber insert to determine optimal bullet seating depth, then load the 7.62 x 39 rounds appropriately.

[victorcharlie]

How is the accuracy of the rounds fired in a chamber adapter?

[John Traveler1]

In answer to your first question: is it safe to fire a .308 Win in a .30-06 chamber, the answer is a surprising, qualified, "yes".  

In the mid-1950's when the 7.62 x 51 NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge was newly adopted by the US military, Aberdeen Proving Ground conducted extensive tests to answer this very question.  .30-06 M1 and 1903 rifles, BAR, and M1919 machine guns were used to fire .308 ammunition, and it was deemed safe to do so, but was not normally recommended.  The shoulder dimension of the .308 W cartridge is somewhat larger than the corresponding point on the .30-06 chamber, and firing results in complete obturation and no hazard to the shooter.  The NRA American Rifleman technical advisor documents this. The velocity and accuracy is less than firing .30-06.  I would not hesitate to fire this combination if it was an emergency.

On the other hand, firing 7.62x39 ammunition in a .30-06 chamber is decidedly UNSAFE because the base diameters are so different, that the 7.62x39 case is likely rupture and the resulting blowback will damage the shooter or the gun.  Bullet diameters are NOT the same, and firing oversize 0.311" bullets in the .30-06 .308" groove diameter will ruin the barrel.  This is not recommended, even in an emergency.

It may interest readers that when the 7.62x51 was standardized it was realized that the NATO round could be fired in a 7.62x53 Soviet chamber.  Such an odd combination has indeed been fired in M91 Moisin-Nagant and M44 rifles, and various machine guns.  The reasons were probably combat desperation or ignorance of the users, but it did work!

[jro45]

I would NOT shoot it in a 30/06 caliber rifle simplely because it was NOT made for the 30/06.

[rockbilly]

:shock: Thanks, but No Thanks!

Once you have a firearm blow up in your hands, you learn to shy away from the practice of sticking anything in the gun that doesn't belong there.  It only took once for me to learn that these "fly-by-night" experts will get you hurt if you follow their advice.

Just make it a habit of shooting only what the gun was designed for, and you will keep your eyes and hands safe. :roll:  :roll:  :roll:

[borg1]

I was firing both FMJ and HP Wolf Ammo, 123 gr bullets in the adapter.

Best groups were 1.5" at 100 yds.  If the seating depth of the rounds as they sat in the adapter could be determined, then reloads might improve the accuracy a bit.  That is, the bullets could be seated uniformly in the cases, being a consistent distance from the lands of the barrel.

Like I said, i took it out.  Besides, with good handloads i get 0.75" groups with 168 HPBT bullets loaded in the .308 cases.

I'd not have any problems shooting 7.62 x 39 bullets out of an army surplus rifle in either 30/06 or 308.  BUT NOT IN MY NEW TIKKA...  Buy the adapter and have fun.  That Wolf ammo is really, really cheap. :wink: