rem 700 308 and surplus ammo

[nova512]

i got some good german surplus for my ma1 from aim.and it got me wondering how it would do just to see as an experiment on accuracy in my rem 700,is there any reason why i shouldnt?

 

[Disposable Heart]

None, it's good to go.

It's firing 5.56 out of .223 chambers that's an issue.

 

[sporter]

It's fine.

 

[spoke78]

The Federal American Eagle M1A Match 7.62x51 ammo groups the best from my Remington 700 .308 I wouldnt use anything else now...

 

[rimfire_crazed]

Shooting buddy ran nearly an entire case of Berdamn'ed South African surplus through his 700 - routinely shooting sub .5 MOA at 100. It's good to go.

 

[iceman46222]

i guess you just need to find out with me out at the range ha ha

 

[Limpy88]

.308 Winchester Cartridge Guide
downs towards the bottom the have a paragraph on surplus ammo.

 

[Don]

7.62x51 nato surplus is loaded to a lower pressure then .308 win that you buy in the stores.

 

[crmguns]

None, it's good to go.

It's firing 5.56 out of .223 chambers that's an issue.

getting off the subject here but what is the difference in 223 and 5.56 I thought they were the same thing. I have shoot military 5.56 out of my savage bolt action .223. should I not be doing this?

 

[EvilKidsMeal]

i shoot surplus 7.62x51 exclusively. (it's cheaper for me) i feel like it is just as accurate as current production. it's not match ammo but i shoot 100-225yds so its more than sufficient.

 

[tradertator]

You'll be fine, just don't expect hair splitting accuracy. I've been guilty of feeding my SPS tactical plenty of surplus, mostly African.

 

[xHwyLT]

getting off the subject here but what is the difference in 223 and 5.56 I thought they were the same thing. I have shoot military 5.56 out of my savage bolt action .223. should I not be doing this?

I always thought they were the same round with a different name, 5.56mm (miitary) & .223Rem. (civilian), but since then I've learned that the "leade" on the 5.56mm is longer, and the case capacity, and thickness of the case walls are different from the .223Rem. It's okay to shoot .223Rem in a 5.56mm chamber, but not the other way around, because the pressure is higher. Hope this helps.

 

[silkpoet]

I thought that stuff was fairly clean, relative to other inexpensive surplus. It was not tack-driver accurate through my 700, but it was good enough for plinking purposes! Enjoy! Cheaperthandirt.com usually has some reasonable 7.62 x 51 as well.

 

[bigjross2002]

Actually 5.56 should be loaded to a higher pressure than .223 ammo so its out of SAAMI specs. I do know that its safe to shoot .223 ammo in a 5.56 chambered rifle but it is not recommended by SAMMI to shoot 5.56 in a .223 chambered rifle.

This is why most ARs are actually chambered in 5.56mmx45. However some rifles like Rock River Arms chambers in a Wylde chamber which is in between a 5.56 and .223 chambering.

 

[Dwight D]

Ever heard of a 223 blown up with 5.56 ? Nope me neither, another over rated non problem.

308 surplus varies by country of origin, lot # , bullet type etc. Some can be very hot, most is with spec. Commerical hotter then Surplus Mil-Spec, nope. Run it over a chrony. In a 700 platform it is unlikely you will run into any trouble with any of it, a 700 is a strong action.

Only Surplus 308 I know which has actually blown guns is Surplus Indian that was on the market years ago. Seems that the Indians were pulling down ammo and doing some reman. Some of the brass was of different thickness, I had no problems with it, but it was not accurate. Pretty much just blasting ammo. But there was a lot that got out that had some bad boys in it that blew a few guns. Not seen any of it on the market for some time, but I would avoid any Indian 308 from private sales as well. Keep an eye out on the 308 German surplus, some had corrosive primers. If you can find some the 2 best IMO was the Hirtenburger and the Brit Radway Green. Both would excellent, but the Radway was non reloadable Berdan primed.