can you shoot .308 in a 7.62 or 7.62 in a .308? I am new to using rifles and really don't know much about them.

basically same round but 308 is loaded to slightly higher pressure. 308 is not kosher in all 7.62 rifles.

If you are talking about the 7.62x51 NATO round, then 30378 is right. If you are talking about the Russian 7.62x39 round that is used in SKs's and AK47's, then NO! They are not the same round at all.

PAPA45 is right

the 7.62 only denotes the bullet diameter

30-30, 30-06, 300H&H, 300WSM, 308win & .300Weatherby

all use the .308 diameter bullet but the casings are ALL different and they are NOT interchangeable.

Be careful and get ahold of some old timers or people that are familiar with them; because you dont want to put the wrong round in the wrong rifle.

Once saw a guy try to put a 7mmWBY into a 7mmRemington.....bad idea!!!!!!!!!!

Yep. 7.62 is the bullet diameter.

7.62mm = 0.30in

In rounds like 7.62x51, or 7.62x39, the latter is the casing length in millimeters. 30-06 for example has 63.35 mm (2.494 in) casing, therefore it is a.k.a 7.62x63.

Both .308 and 7.62x51mm NATO have 51mm case length. They are not identical but close enough to safely use interchangeably according to SAAMI.

Which rifle are your referring to. What is the caliber stamp on the barrel?

You know how it's not good to to shoot a 5.56 nato in a .223 only barrel, but good to go to shoot .223 in a 5.56 nato stamped barrel. Well does that work the same way with .308 and 7.62x51 nato?

no they will work regaurdless

I don't know if it's true, but on other forums (AR) it's been said that it's ok to use 308 in a 7.62 NATO, but not a good idea to use a 7.62 NATO in a 308. I've seen it more than once.

i think it is because the 7.62 nato is loaded hotter than production .308 as it is used in machine guns and mini guns. Obviously machine guns are built heavier and can take more of a beating than a hand held rifle.

There's nothing wrong, either way. If the action on the rifle is weak enough not to take the extra pressure you shouldn't use it anyways (the rifle itself).

I don't think the OP reloads so the information on brass differences is a little off-topic and does not concern one that shoots factory made ammo.

both 308 and 7,62x51 nato are interchangeable if you have a modern gun tested to actual pressures. I've seen often military ammo (nato) used in civilian hunting rifles without problems, except that in some rifles they do not eject as well as the comercial 308 because shells are not exactly the same. but in most rifles it (nato ammo) serves like good training ammo (useless for hunting purposes except for varmint because are generally fmj bullets).