.308 Winchester vs 7.62x51 NATO
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the .308 Winchester is about 70 ft/s faster at the muzzle (2,820 vs 2,750 ft/s).
The .308 Winchester carries about 7% more energy at the muzzle (2,648 vs 2,468 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
The 7.62x51 NATO's typical bullet has the higher BC (0.40), so it holds speed better and drifts less in the wind at long range.
Side by side
| .308 Winchester | 7.62x51 NATO | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk. | NATO's standard rifle round from the M14 era to today's machine guns and sniper rifles. |
| Typical load | 150 grsoft point | 147 grM80 ball |
| Muzzle speed | 2,820 ft/s | 2,750 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 2,648 ft-lbs | 2,468 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.33typical, varies by brand | ≈ 0.40typical, varies by brand |
| Twist rate | 1:10 | 1:12 (M14) / 1:10 |
| Practical range | 400 yd | — |
| Point-blank range | 266 yd6" vital zone | 261 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Standard rifle, 7–8 lbModerate recoil; snappy in an ultralight | Yes: same as .308 Win for deer, elk and hogs. |
Which one fits you?
.308 Winchester: Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk.
7.62x51 NATO: NATO's standard rifle round from the M14 era to today's machine guns and sniper rifles.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
- .308 Winchester profile
- 7.62x51 NATO profile
- .308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- .308 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield
- 7mm-08 Remington vs .308 Winchester
- .243 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
- .30-30 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
- All comparisons
Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.