.308 & .308 Win difference?

Sphawley · November 23, 2010, 09:07 PM

Okay so please excuse my inexperience....This is probably a stupid question but I dont know.

So whats the difference between .308 & .308 Win? They both can still be shot through a .308 caliber rifle...right? Any other varations I dont know about?

Thanks again guys, Im mostly into shotguns and sport shooting so thought I might dabble in this side of the world.

Brian Pfleuger · November 23, 2010, 09:21 PM

They are one and the same.

".308" is essentially short-hand.

Someone may well come up with some esoteric cartridge that could be confused with the "normal" .308 but, generally, 308 is .308 Winchester, which is the "commercial" version of the NATO 7.62X51.

golfballshootr · November 23, 2010, 09:27 PM

Read the label.

Make sure that you don't get 308 Marlin Express. Which I would think unlikely if you just walked up and asked for a box of 308's, but attention to detail.

Because as stated above, 308 is 308 Winchester to pretty much everyone, which is why I use the "asking for a box of 308's" example.

Sphawley · November 24, 2010, 01:31 AM

Whats the difference with the marlin express?

golfballshootr · November 24, 2010, 11:52 AM

The 308 Winchester and the 308 Marlin Express are entirely two different rounds. The ME is for the Lever guns, and as far as I know, that is the only thing it is chambered for, no bolts guns, but, not 100%.

But as I said, the chances of walking into a store and asking the guy behind the counter and just asking for a box of 150gr 308's, I don't see him giving the 308ME to you. The 308ME round is not too common.

And as for can you use one in the other with the both having the "308" designation? NO, NO, absolutely not.

The barrel should, by all accounts, have the round designator on it, and it should say 308 Win or 308 Winchester.

Forgive me, for I don't know how much you know about the different chamberings, but you can have several different "300's", the 300 Winchester Magnum, 300 Weatherby Magnum, 300 H&H Magnum, 300 Whisper, 300 Winchester Short Magnum........and not one of these is meant to work in the rifle it is not chambered for. Some of them will fit though in the other gun chamber. Even if it fits, don't use it.

golfnutrlv · November 24, 2010, 11:47 PM

You would think the company's would think twice before they name these rounds sometimes.

.308 inches is the size of the "30 caliber". The same bullet diameter is found in 30/30, .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Savage, .308 Marlin express, .30 Carbine...you get the idea. It's confusing at times.

Cartridges may be loaded with the same diameter bullet, but there can be a vast difference between performance, pressure, and of course rifle.

henryfrapp · November 25, 2010, 06:08 AM

Not all "30 caliber " is .308 diameter though.

golfnutrlv · November 25, 2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Not all "30 caliber " is .308 diameter though.

True...always refer to a reloading manual for the bullet diameter/primer size before you buy!!!

medalguy · November 27, 2010, 09:17 PM

That's why, when you go to the gun shop, you should ask specifically for ".308 bullets 150 gr FMJBT" or whatever. Always specify the diameter bullet you want, not the cartridge caliber designation such as for a .300 Savage.

November 23, 2010, 09:07 PM	#1
Sphawley Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 272	.308 & .308 Win difference? Okay so please excuse my inexperience....This is probably a stupid question but I dont know. So whats the difference between .308 & .308 Win? They both can still be shot through a .308 caliber rifle...right? Any other varations I dont know about? Thanks again guys, Im mostly into shotguns and sport shooting so thought I might dabble in this side of the world.

November 23, 2010, 09:21 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	They are one and the same. ".308" is essentially short-hand. Someone may well come up with some esoteric cartridge that could be confused with the "normal" .308 but, generally, 308 is .308 Winchester, which is the "commercial" version of the NATO 7.62X51. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

November 24, 2010, 11:47 PM	#6
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	You would think the company's would think twice before they name these rounds sometimes. .308 inches is the size of the "30 caliber". The same bullet diameter is found in 30/30, .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Savage, .308 Marlin express, .30 Carbine...you get the idea. It's confusing at times. Cartridges may be loaded with the same diameter bullet, but there can be a vast difference between performance, pressure, and of course rifle. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

November 23, 2010, 09:27 PM	#3
golfballshootr Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 185	Read the label. Make sure that you don't get 308 Marlin Express. Which I would think unlikely if you just walked up and asked for a box of 308's, but attention to detail. Because as stated above, 308 is 308 Winchester to pretty much everyone, which is why I use the "asking for a box of 308's" example.

November 24, 2010, 01:31 AM	#4
Sphawley Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 272	Whats the difference with the marlin express?

November 24, 2010, 11:52 AM	#5
golfballshootr Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 185	The 308 Winchester and the 308 Marlin Express are entirely two different rounds. The ME is for the Lever guns, and as far as I know, that is the only thing it is chambered for, no bolts guns, but, not 100%. But as I said, the chances of walking into a store and asking the guy behind the counter and just asking for a box of 150gr 308's, I don't see him giving the 308ME to you. The 308ME round is not too common. And as for can you use one in the other with the both having the "308" designation? NO, NO, absolutely not. The barrel should, by all accounts, have the round designator on it, and it should say 308 Win or 308 Winchester. Forgive me, for I don't know how much you know about the different chamberings, but you can have several different "300's", the 300 Winchester Magnum, 300 Weatherby Magnum, 300 H&H Magnum, 300 Whisper, 300 Winchester Short Magnum........and not one of these is meant to work in the rifle it is not chambered for. Some of them will fit though in the other gun chamber. Even if it fits, don't use it.

November 25, 2010, 06:08 AM	#7
henryfrapp Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Posts: 58	Not all "30 caliber " is .308 diameter though.

November 27, 2010, 09:17 PM	#9
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	That's why, when you go to the gun shop, you should ask specifically for ".308 bullets 150 gr FMJBT" or whatever. Always specify the diameter bullet you want, not the cartridge caliber designation such as for a .300 Savage.