Can You ID This Federal 308/762 NATO Round?

[jmpupillo]

I bought 150 of these rounds from a member sometime last year. It is a 308/762 NATO round, but I cannot remember exactly which one it is. Also not sure what the bullet type/weight is.

The member did mention that cases were not compatible with the belts for his belt fed.



Any ideas?

 

[T.Lex]

That's Rob. Looks alot like Phil.

[Sorry, a better INGOer than I will likely be around soon with the information you really want.]

 

[smokingman]

FC is Federal cartridge it was made in Anoka Minnesota or Lake City.

Or Germany or Austria.

Headstamp Codes – International Ammunition Association

cartridgecollectors.org

Possibly Mexico city.

Maybe Yugoslavia.


Yea that information may not be helpful. lol

 

[Wolfhound]

Yeah, Federal Cartridge manufactured 2017 if I am seeing it right. Has a sealed primer, likely a 150 grain bullet but would have to pull and weigh one to be sure.

 

[indyjohn]

If you were told it was not belt compatible, then he was telling you that it is M59 and not M80 Ball.

U.S. 7.62x51, M59 vs. M80 Ball

 

[rooster]

Check to see if it’s magnetic. Might help narrow your search a little

 

[jmpupillo]

Check to see if it’s magnetic. Might help narrow your search a little

It is not magnetic. Looks to be Federal American Eagle 150gr. Am I correct to assume that it is 7.62 NATO? It looks like Federal 308 has a “308” head stamp.

 

[sheepdog697]

Yep. American eagle 150gr is my guess as well. I have a ton.

 

[sheepdog697]

Here’s a couple pictures. Mine are OLD so the color has left around the primers...

 

[rooster]

It is not magnetic. Looks to be Federal American Eagle 150gr. Am I correct to assume that it is 7.62 NATO? It looks like Federal 308 has a “308” head stamp.

If it’s not magnetic then it’s not m59

 

[jmpupillo]

Here’s a couple pictures. Mine are OLD so the color has left around the primers...

That’s it, thank you. So 308?

 

[VulpesForge]

Federal had a handful of what was claimed to be over run they labeled XM80, but I'm not sure of the brass they used. They kind of look like that and from the cannelure to the tip it looks typical of 145gr-150gr from my rough eyeball measurements, which I assure you are completely scientific. The blue primer sealant is what throws me, although it's definitely used on their law enforcement handgun line. Maybe this is over run from a LE specific contract?

Also worth mentioning that there are very slight variations in case dimensions from 7.62x51 to 308 so if he had some seriously tight links (highly unlikely) this may have posed a problem.

 

[jmpupillo]

Federal had a handful of what was claimed to be over run they labeled XM80, but I'm not sure of the brass they used. They kind of look like that and from the cannelure to the tip it looks typical of 145gr-150gr from my rough eyeball measurements, which I assure you are completely scientific. The blue primer sealant is what throws me, although it's definitely used on their law enforcement handgun line. Maybe this is over run from a LE specific contract?

Also worth mentioning that there are very slight variations in case dimensions from 7.62x51 to 308 so if he had some seriously tight links (highly unlikely) this may have posed a problem.

The “FC 17” head stamp is what confuses me. Otherwise, the round looks exactly like American Eagle 150 grain commercial 308.

 

[indyjohn]

The “FC 17” head stamp is what confuses me. Otherwise, the round looks exactly like American Eagle 150 grain commercial 308.

That's because it's not commercial ammo. I thought that was established well up thread.

Why don't you measure the OAL?

 

[jmpupillo]

Casing looks identical to the M80 ball to the left. The bullet is just set in a bit further.

 

[indyjohn]

Casing looks identical to the M80 ball to the left. The bullet is just set in a bit further.

Ok, so that is interesting. If you go back to my original post, the M59 is longer than the M80; the shorter M80 runs better in a machine gun. Looking at your pic, presuming the round on the left is actually an M80, the round in question on the right is obviously shorter and therefore NOT an M59.

So now I'm really on board with your confusion. First, I've spent a respectable amount of time studying military ammunition and just haven't seen commercial ammo with sealer on the primer. Second, in what circumstances would a seller have 150 rounds (IIRC) loose for sale? I could easily see 150 loose rounds of military stock, but bulk loose commercial you just don't see. Example: FEDERAL - LAKE CITY 5.56MM NATO XM855 BULK BARREL

Next test: pull the projectile from a round and weigh it. I get it if you don't reload or have a digital food scale, this is next to impossible. But, inquiring minds want to know...

 

[sheepdog697]

Federal had a handful of what was claimed to be over run they labeled XM80, but I'm not sure of the brass they used. They kind of look like that and from the cannelure to the tip it looks typical of 145gr-150gr from my rough eyeball measurements, which I assure you are completely scientific. The blue primer sealant is what throws me, although it's definitely used on their law enforcement handgun line. Maybe this is over run from a LE specific contract?

Also worth mentioning that there are very slight variations in case dimensions from 7.62x51 to 308 so if he had some seriously tight links (highly unlikely) this may have posed a problem.

Yea the primer sealant kind of had me. My fgmm has blue primer sealant. Again I would guess my 150gr stuff is probably 10 years old, but it looks very close.