Nathan2055 (talk | contribs) Undid revision 1074791463 by Scimernet (talk): No reliable source given nor community consensus obtained for this change to the article title Tags: Undo Disambiguation links added |
The unit of measure is Caliber. Caliber is a unit "based" on inches; it is not designated as a measurement of inches. Refer to the definition of caliber. Caliber is expressed in hundredths or thousands of an inch depending on the number of digits. When referring to cartridges or bullets the units used are caliber. This would be expressed without any leading decimal. example: 22 LR is the 22 caliber Long Rifle cartridge. It is .22 inches in diameter; however, the caliber is 22 Tags: Reverted Visual edit |
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{{redirect|.308}} |
{{redirect|.308}} |
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{{Infobox firearm cartridge |
{{Infobox firearm cartridge |
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|name= |
|name=308 Winchester |
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|image=.308 Winchester FMJSP.jpg | image_size = 300px |
|image=.308 Winchester FMJSP.jpg | image_size = 300px |
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|caption= |
|caption= 308 Winchester |
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|type= [[Rifle]] |
|type= [[Rifle]] |
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|origin= United States |
|origin= United States |
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|design_date=1952 |
|design_date=1952 |
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|parent= [[ |
|parent= [[300 Savage]] |
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|case_type=[[Rim (firearms)|Rimless]], bottleneck |
|case_type=[[Rim (firearms)|Rimless]], bottleneck |
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|bullet=0.308 |
|bullet=0.308 |
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}} |
}} |
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The ''' |
The '''308 Winchester''' is a [[smokeless powder]] [[Rim (firearms)|rimless]] bottlenecked [[rifle]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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During the 1940s, the [[.300 Savage]] became the basis for experiments on behalf of the U.S. Military that resulted in the development of the [[7.62×51mm NATO#Development|T65 series]] of experimental cartridges. The original experimental case design by the [[Frankford Arsenal]] was designated the T65 and was similar to the |
During the 1940s, the [[.300 Savage|300 Savage]] became the basis for experiments on behalf of the U.S. Military that resulted in the development of the [[7.62×51mm NATO#Development|T65 series]] of experimental cartridges. The original experimental case design by the [[Frankford Arsenal]] was designated the T65 and was similar to the 300 Savage case, but with less taper. The experimental cases were made from standard [[.30-06 Springfield]] cases which gave a little less capacity than standard .300 Savage cases because the Frankford Arsenal cases had slightly thicker case walls. The later T65 iterations were lengthened compared to the original T65 case and provided a ballistic performance roughly equal to the U.S. military [[.30-06 Springfield]] service cartridge. Over forty years of technical progress in the field of propellants allowed for similar service cartridge performance from a significantly shorter, smaller case with less case capacity.<ref>[http://www.cartridgecollector.net/30-light-rifle-t-65 30 LIGHT RIFLE (T-65)]</ref><ref>[https://www.oldammo.com/april05.htm An assortment of US Cal .30 Light Rifle (Pre-7.62 NATO) cartridges]</ref> |
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[[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]] saw a market for a civilian model of the late T65 series designs and introduced it in 1952, two years prior to the [[NATO]] adoption of the T65E5 experimental cartridge iteration under the [[7.62×51mm NATO]] designation in 1954. Winchester branded the cartridge and introduced it to the commercial hunting market as the |
[[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]] saw a market for a civilian model of the late T65 series designs and introduced it in 1952, two years prior to the [[NATO]] adoption of the T65E5 experimental cartridge iteration under the [[7.62×51mm NATO]] designation in 1954. Winchester branded the cartridge and introduced it to the commercial hunting market as the 308 Winchester. Winchester's [[Winchester Model 70|Model 70]], [[Winchester Rifle#Winchester Model 88|Model 88]] and [[Winchester Rifle#Winchester Model 100|Model 100]] rifles were subsequently chambered for the new cartridge. Since then, the 308 Winchester has become the most popular [[Action (firearms)|short-action]], [[big-game hunting]] cartridge worldwide.<ref name="about">{{cite web | url=http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aasttopriflecar.htm | author=Simpson, Layne | title=The 20th Century's Top Rifle Cartridge | access-date=2008-06-06 |date=February 2000| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080514025321/http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aasttopriflecar.htm| archive-date= 14 May 2008<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> It is also commonly used for hunting, target shooting, [[metallic silhouette]], bench rest target shooting, palma, metal matches, military [[sniper rifle|sniping]], and police sharpshooting. The relatively short case makes the 308 Winchester especially well-adapted for short-action rifles. When loaded with a bullet that expands, tumbles, or fragments in tissue, this cartridge is capable of high [[Terminal ballistics|terminal performance]].<ref name="Chamberlin FT 1966">Chamberlin FT, Gun Shot Wounds, in Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders, Vol. II, Ackley PO, ed., Plaza Publishing, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1966.</ref><ref name="fn_(110)"> |
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Courtney A, Courtney M: Links between traumatic brain injury and ballistic pressure waves originating in the thoracic cavity and extremities. Brain Injury 21(7): 657-662, 2007. {{arxiv|0808.1443}}</ref><ref name="arxiv.org">Scientific Evidence for Hydrostatic Shock {{arxiv|0803.3051}}</ref> |
Courtney A, Courtney M: Links between traumatic brain injury and ballistic pressure waves originating in the thoracic cavity and extremities. Brain Injury 21(7): 657-662, 2007. {{arxiv|0808.1443}}</ref><ref name="arxiv.org">Scientific Evidence for Hydrostatic Shock {{arxiv|0803.3051}}</ref> |
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==Cartridge dimensions== |
==Cartridge dimensions== |
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The |
The 308 Winchester has 3.64 [[litre|ml]] (56.0 [[grain (measure)|grains]]) cartridge case capacity.<ref>Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, Fourth Edition, 1991, Hornady Manufacturing Company, Grand Island, NE.</ref> The exterior shape of the case was designed to promote reliable case feeding and extraction in [[bolt action]] rifles and [[machine gun]]s alike, under extreme conditions. |
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[[File:Cartridge 308.PNG|500px]] |
[[File:Cartridge 308.PNG|500px]] |
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''' |
'''308 Winchester maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions.''' All dimensions in millimeters (mm) and inches. |
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Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 = 20 degrees. The common [[rifling]] twist rate for this cartridge is 305 mm (1 in 12 in), 4 grooves, Ø lands = 7.62 mm, Ø grooves = 7.82 mm, land width = 4.47 mm and the [[Percussion cap|primer type]] is large rifle.<ref name="Reloading Guide Number Four 1996">Nosler Reloading Guide Number Four, 1996, Nosler, Inc., Bend OR.</ref> |
Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 = 20 degrees. The common [[rifling]] twist rate for this cartridge is 305 mm (1 in 12 in), 4 grooves, Ø lands = 7.62 mm, Ø grooves = 7.82 mm, land width = 4.47 mm and the [[Percussion cap|primer type]] is large rifle.<ref name="Reloading Guide Number Four 1996">Nosler Reloading Guide Number Four, 1996, Nosler, Inc., Bend OR.</ref> |
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According to the official [[C.I.P.]] (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) rulings the |
According to the official [[C.I.P.]] (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) rulings the 308 Winchester can handle up to {{convert|415.00|MPa|psi|abbr=on}} P<sub>max</sub> [[Piezoresistive effect|piezo]] pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries every rifle cartridge combo has to be [[Proof (firearms)|proofed]] at 125% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers. This means that 308 Winchester chambered arms in C.I.P. regulated countries are currently (2008) proof tested at {{convert|519.00|MPa|psi|abbr=on}} PE piezo pressure.<ref>[http://www.cip-bobp.org/homologation/uploads/tdcc/tab-i/tabical-en-page125.pdf C.I.P. TDCC sheet .308 Winchester]</ref> |
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North American SAAMI maximum pressure for the 308 Winchester is {{convert|62000|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref>The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing Institute (SAAMI), composed of representatives of the firearms, ammunition and components manufacturers, with the purpose of standardizing specs in North America</ref> |
North American SAAMI maximum pressure for the 308 Winchester is {{convert|62000|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref>The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing Institute (SAAMI), composed of representatives of the firearms, ammunition and components manufacturers, with the purpose of standardizing specs in North America</ref> |
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== |
==308 Winchester vs. 7.62×51mm NATO== |
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Although not identical, the |
Although not identical, the 308 Winchester and military [[7.62×51mm NATO]] cartridges are similar enough that they can be loaded into rifles chambered for the other round, but the 308 Winchester cartridges are typically loaded to higher pressures than 7.62×51mm NATO service cartridges.<ref>SAAMI Velocity and Piezoelectric Transducer Pressure: Centerfire Rifle, 2013, p. 9, {{cite web |url=http://saami.org/specifications_and_information/specifications/Velocity_Pressure_CfR.pdf |title=VELOCITY AND PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER PRESSURE: CENTERFIRE RIFLE |access-date=2016-11-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102031243/http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/specifications/Velocity_Pressure_CfR.pdf |archive-date=2017-01-02 }}</ref> Even though the [[Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute]] (SAAMI) does not consider it unsafe to fire the commercial 308 Winchester rounds in weapons chambered for the military 7.62×51mm NATO round, there is significant discussion about compatible chambers and pressures between the two cartridges based on powder loads, chamber dimensions and wall thicknesses in the web area of the military compared to commercial cartridge cases.<ref>[https://saami.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Unsafe-Arms-and-Ammunition-Combinations-Web-Site-and-Brochure-Master-Revised-8-24-2020.pdf SAAMI Unsafe Arms and Ammunition Combinations]</ref><ref>[http://www.303british.com/id36.html 7.62×51mm NATO or .308 Winchester?]</ref> As the chambers differ accordingly the [[Headspace (firearms)#Gauges|head space gauges]] used for the two chamberings differ.<ref>[https://www.forsterproducts.com/pdf/brochures/hi-res-for-print/Forster-Products-NATO%20Chamber%20Headspace%20Gages%20Sales%20Sheet_NATO-001_Issue%204_July%202018_print.pdf NATO Chamber Headspace GagesAvailable for 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO]</ref> |
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==Usage and performance== |
==Usage and performance== |
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The |
The 308 Winchester is one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the United States, and possibly the world.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} It has gained popularity in many countries as an exceptional cartridge for game in the medium- to large-sized class.<ref>Speer Reloading Manual Number 12, 1994, Blount, Inc., Lewiston, ID.</ref> Although in North America it is commonly thought that it is only recommended for whitetail deer, pronghorn and the occasional caribou or black bear, the 308 Winchester is among the calibers recommended for hunting brown and grizzly bears by the Alaska Department of Game and Fish. <ref>[http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.firearms Big Magnums Not Necessary]</ref> Moreover, the Canadian [[Arctic Rangers]] chose the [[Colt Canada C19]] in 308 Winchester/7.62×51mm NATO for "polar bear defense" in 2014, demonstrating that the 308 Winchester is suitable and even preferred for taking any medium, large or dangerous game located in the Americas.<ref>[https://www.guns.com/news/2015/06/26/canadian-arctic-rangers-get-new-rifle-for-polar-bear-defense Canadian Arctic Rangers Get New Rifle for Polar Bear Defense]</ref> |
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Clay Harvey, an American gun writer, said it is usable on moose and elk.<ref>''Popular Sporting Rifle Cartridges'' DBI Books, 1984.</ref> Layne Simpson, an American who has hunted in Sweden, said he is surprised how many hunters there used the cartridge.<ref>"The 20th Century's Top Rifle Cartridge," ''Shooting Times,'' Feb. 2000. Accessed online Dec. 31, 2012. |
Clay Harvey, an American gun writer, said it is usable on moose and elk.<ref>''Popular Sporting Rifle Cartridges'' DBI Books, 1984.</ref> Layne Simpson, an American who has hunted in Sweden, said he is surprised how many hunters there used the cartridge.<ref>"The 20th Century's Top Rifle Cartridge," ''Shooting Times,'' Feb. 2000. Accessed online Dec. 31, 2012. |
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The "top" rifle cartridge in the century, he said, is the .30-06.</ref> Craig Boddington was told by a [[Norma Precision]] executive that the |
The "top" rifle cartridge in the century, he said, is the .30-06.</ref> Craig Boddington was told by a [[Norma Precision]] executive that the 308 Winchester was one of Norma's best-selling calibers.<ref>"Best Sellers," ''RifleShooter,'' Jan.Feb. 2013.</ref> |
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In Africa the |
In Africa the 308 Winchester is one of the most popular calibers among [[Bushveld]] hunters and is used on anything from [[common duiker|duiker]] right up to the massive [[common eland|eland]] (a small and large African antelope respectively). Proponents of the [[hydrostatic shock]] theory contend that the 308 Winchester has sufficient energy to impart hydrostatic shock to living targets when rapidly expanding bullets deliver a high rate of energy transfer.<ref name="Chamberlin FT 1966"/><ref name="arxiv.org"/><ref>Sturtevant B, Shock Wave Effects in Biomechanics, Sadhana, 23: 579-596, 1998.</ref><ref>Suneson A, Hansson HA, Seeman T: Pressure Wave Injuries to the Nervous System Caused by High Energy Missile Extremity Impact: Part I. Local and Distant Effects on the Peripheral Nervous System. A Light and Electron Microscopic Study on Pigs. ''The Journal of Trauma''. 30(3):281–294; 1990.</ref> |
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While |
While 308 Winchester has traditionally been the most popular cartridge in the past, the development of lighter recoil chamberings with sufficient downrange energy, like the [[7mm-08 Remington]], [[.260 Remington]], and [[6.5 Creedmoor]], is becoming more common for metallic silhouette shooting.<ref>{{cite web|title= Sport Shooting Association of Austrialia |url=http://www.ssaansw.org.au/index.php/disciplines/rifle-metallic-silhouette|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> |
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PALMA shooting is a variant of full bore target shooting done with a bolt action rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO/ |
PALMA shooting is a variant of full bore target shooting done with a bolt action rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO/308 Winchester firing match grade 155 grain bullets and using micrometer aperture iron sights out to 1,000 yards.<ref>{{cite web|title= Palma USA|url= http://www.palma.org/palma-basics|access-date= 31 March 2017|archive-date= 1 April 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170401055056/http://www.palma.org/palma-basics|url-status= dead}}</ref> |
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F-class is a variant of fullbore target rifle which permits optical telescopic sights and shooting rests at the front and rear, such as a bipod or bags. Competitions are fired at distances between 300 and 1,200 meters (or yards), and the targets are half the size of those used in traditional Palma shooting. Based on equipment, competitors can choose to compete in one of the two classes, open and standard: |
F-class is a variant of fullbore target rifle which permits optical telescopic sights and shooting rests at the front and rear, such as a bipod or bags. Competitions are fired at distances between 300 and 1,200 meters (or yards), and the targets are half the size of those used in traditional Palma shooting. Based on equipment, competitors can choose to compete in one of the two classes, open and standard: |
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F-TR ("target", standard class): A restricted class which permits a scope, bipod, backpack and rear bag (no front rest), the caliber has to be either .223 Remington or |
F-TR ("target", standard class): A restricted class which permits a scope, bipod, backpack and rear bag (no front rest), the caliber has to be either .223 Remington or 308 Winchester. In addition, the weight limit including optics is 8.25 kg (18.15 lbs).{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} |
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The |
The 308 Winchester has slightly more drop at long range than the [[.30-06 Springfield]], owing to its slightly lower (around {{convert|100|ft/s|m/s|order=flip}}) muzzle velocity with most bullet weights. Cartridges with significantly higher muzzle velocities, such as the [[.300 Winchester Magnum]] can have significantly less drop at long range, but much higher recoil.{{Cn|date=August 2021}} |
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<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px"> |
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px"> |
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==As a parent case== |
==As a parent case== |
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[[Image:9.3X62-30-06-8X57-6.5X55-308.JPG|thumb|upright|right|From left to right [[9.3×62mm]], [[.30-06 Springfield]], [[7.92×57mm Mauser]], [[6.5×55mm]] and |
[[Image:9.3X62-30-06-8X57-6.5X55-308.JPG|thumb|upright|right|From left to right [[9.3×62mm]], [[.30-06 Springfield]], [[7.92×57mm Mauser]], [[6.5×55mm]] and 308 Winchester [[cartridge (weaponry)|cartridges]]. The [[7.62×51mm NATO]] (not pictured) is similar in appearance to the 308 Winchester.]] |
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Several cartridges have been developed using the |
Several cartridges have been developed using the 308 Winchester as a parent case, some becoming very popular for hunting, particularly in North America.<ref name="Reloading Guide Number Four 1996"/> These are the [[.243 Winchester]], the [[.260 Remington]] (6.5-08 A-Square), the [[7 mm-08 Remington]], the [[.338 Federal]], and the [[.358 Winchester]] (8.8×51mm). In 1980, two rimmed cartridges based on the 308 Winchester were introduced for use in the [[Winchester Model 1894|Winchester Model 94]] XTR Angle Eject rifle: the [[.307 Winchester]] and the [[.356 Winchester]]. In 2014, the rimless [[45 Raptor]] was introduced to provide a big bore cartridge for the [[AR-10]] by combining the 308 Winchester with the [[.460 S&W Magnum]].{{Cn|date=August 2021}} |
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{{Gallery |
{{Gallery |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{commons category}} |
{{commons category}} |
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* [http://www.njnoordhoek.com/?p=938 Ultra-high speed |
* [http://www.njnoordhoek.com/?p=938 Ultra-high speed 308 photos] amateur high speed photography |
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* [http://www.6mmbr.com/308win.html |
* [http://www.6mmbr.com/308win.html 308 Winchester Cartridge Guide] by AccurateShooter.com |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090226232749/http://www.stoppingpower.info/index.php?title=.308 |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090226232749/http://www.stoppingpower.info/index.php?title=.308 308 Videos] by StoppingPower.Info |
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*[https://www.rifletalks.com/equipment-reviews/rifles/load-development-for-308win-in-under-50-rounds] 308 load development at 600m by rifletalks.com |
*[https://www.rifletalks.com/equipment-reviews/rifles/load-development-for-308win-in-under-50-rounds] 308 load development at 600m by rifletalks.com |
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{{250-3000}} |
{{250-3000}} |
Revision as of 20:51, 29 March 2022
308 Winchester | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() 308 Winchester | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Rifle | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of origin | United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Production history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Designed | 1952 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Specifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parent case | 300 Savage | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Case type | Rimless, bottleneck | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Bullet diameter | 0.308 in (7.8 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Neck diameter | 0.3433 in (8.72 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shoulder diameter | 0.4539 in (11.53 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Base diameter | 0.4709 in (11.96 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rim diameter | 0.4728 in (12.01 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rim thickness | 0.0539 in (1.37 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Case length | 2.015 in (51.2 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall length | 2.800 in (71.1 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Case capacity | 56 gr H2O (3.6 cm3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Primer type | Large rifle | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum pressure (C.I.P.) | 60,191 psi (415.00 MPa) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum pressure (SAAMI) | 62,000 psi (430 MPa) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Test barrel length: 24 in (26 in for Lapua) [1] |
The 308 Winchester is a smokeless powder rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge.
History
During the 1940s, the 300 Savage became the basis for experiments on behalf of the U.S. Military that resulted in the development of the T65 series of experimental cartridges. The original experimental case design by the Frankford Arsenal was designated the T65 and was similar to the 300 Savage case, but with less taper. The experimental cases were made from standard .30-06 Springfield cases which gave a little less capacity than standard .300 Savage cases because the Frankford Arsenal cases had slightly thicker case walls. The later T65 iterations were lengthened compared to the original T65 case and provided a ballistic performance roughly equal to the U.S. military .30-06 Springfield service cartridge. Over forty years of technical progress in the field of propellants allowed for similar service cartridge performance from a significantly shorter, smaller case with less case capacity.[2][3]
Winchester saw a market for a civilian model of the late T65 series designs and introduced it in 1952, two years prior to the NATO adoption of the T65E5 experimental cartridge iteration under the 7.62×51mm NATO designation in 1954. Winchester branded the cartridge and introduced it to the commercial hunting market as the 308 Winchester. Winchester's Model 70, Model 88 and Model 100 rifles were subsequently chambered for the new cartridge. Since then, the 308 Winchester has become the most popular short-action, big-game hunting cartridge worldwide.[4] It is also commonly used for hunting, target shooting, metallic silhouette, bench rest target shooting, palma, metal matches, military sniping, and police sharpshooting. The relatively short case makes the 308 Winchester especially well-adapted for short-action rifles. When loaded with a bullet that expands, tumbles, or fragments in tissue, this cartridge is capable of high terminal performance.[5][6][7]
Cartridge dimensions
The 308 Winchester has 3.64 ml (56.0 grains) cartridge case capacity.[8] The exterior shape of the case was designed to promote reliable case feeding and extraction in bolt action rifles and machine guns alike, under extreme conditions.
308 Winchester maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All dimensions in millimeters (mm) and inches.
Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 = 20 degrees. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 305 mm (1 in 12 in), 4 grooves, Ø lands = 7.62 mm, Ø grooves = 7.82 mm, land width = 4.47 mm and the primer type is large rifle.[9]
According to the official C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) rulings the 308 Winchester can handle up to 415.00 MPa (60,191 psi) Pmax piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries every rifle cartridge combo has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers. This means that 308 Winchester chambered arms in C.I.P. regulated countries are currently (2008) proof tested at 519.00 MPa (75,275 psi) PE piezo pressure.[10]
North American SAAMI maximum pressure for the 308 Winchester is 427.47 MPa (62,000 psi).[11]
308 Winchester vs. 7.62×51mm NATO
Although not identical, the 308 Winchester and military 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges are similar enough that they can be loaded into rifles chambered for the other round, but the 308 Winchester cartridges are typically loaded to higher pressures than 7.62×51mm NATO service cartridges.[12] Even though the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) does not consider it unsafe to fire the commercial 308 Winchester rounds in weapons chambered for the military 7.62×51mm NATO round, there is significant discussion about compatible chambers and pressures between the two cartridges based on powder loads, chamber dimensions and wall thicknesses in the web area of the military compared to commercial cartridge cases.[13][14] As the chambers differ accordingly the head space gauges used for the two chamberings differ.[15]
Usage and performance
The 308 Winchester is one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the United States, and possibly the world.[citation needed] It has gained popularity in many countries as an exceptional cartridge for game in the medium- to large-sized class.[16] Although in North America it is commonly thought that it is only recommended for whitetail deer, pronghorn and the occasional caribou or black bear, the 308 Winchester is among the calibers recommended for hunting brown and grizzly bears by the Alaska Department of Game and Fish. [17] Moreover, the Canadian Arctic Rangers chose the Colt Canada C19 in 308 Winchester/7.62×51mm NATO for "polar bear defense" in 2014, demonstrating that the 308 Winchester is suitable and even preferred for taking any medium, large or dangerous game located in the Americas.[18]
Clay Harvey, an American gun writer, said it is usable on moose and elk.[19] Layne Simpson, an American who has hunted in Sweden, said he is surprised how many hunters there used the cartridge.[20] Craig Boddington was told by a Norma Precision executive that the 308 Winchester was one of Norma's best-selling calibers.[21]
In Africa the 308 Winchester is one of the most popular calibers among Bushveld hunters and is used on anything from duiker right up to the massive eland (a small and large African antelope respectively). Proponents of the hydrostatic shock theory contend that the 308 Winchester has sufficient energy to impart hydrostatic shock to living targets when rapidly expanding bullets deliver a high rate of energy transfer.[5][7][22][23]
While 308 Winchester has traditionally been the most popular cartridge in the past, the development of lighter recoil chamberings with sufficient downrange energy, like the 7mm-08 Remington, .260 Remington, and 6.5 Creedmoor, is becoming more common for metallic silhouette shooting.[24]
PALMA shooting is a variant of full bore target shooting done with a bolt action rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO/308 Winchester firing match grade 155 grain bullets and using micrometer aperture iron sights out to 1,000 yards.[25]
F-class is a variant of fullbore target rifle which permits optical telescopic sights and shooting rests at the front and rear, such as a bipod or bags. Competitions are fired at distances between 300 and 1,200 meters (or yards), and the targets are half the size of those used in traditional Palma shooting. Based on equipment, competitors can choose to compete in one of the two classes, open and standard: F-TR ("target", standard class): A restricted class which permits a scope, bipod, backpack and rear bag (no front rest), the caliber has to be either .223 Remington or 308 Winchester. In addition, the weight limit including optics is 8.25 kg (18.15 lbs).[citation needed]
The 308 Winchester has slightly more drop at long range than the .30-06 Springfield, owing to its slightly lower (around 30 metres per second (100 ft/s)) muzzle velocity with most bullet weights. Cartridges with significantly higher muzzle velocities, such as the .300 Winchester Magnum can have significantly less drop at long range, but much higher recoil.[citation needed]
-
Trajectory comparisons between .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 Winchester Magnum[26]
-
Ultra-high speed photo of a 150 grain FMJ .308 Winchester bullet photographed with an air-gap flash
As a parent case
Several cartridges have been developed using the 308 Winchester as a parent case, some becoming very popular for hunting, particularly in North America.[9] These are the .243 Winchester, the .260 Remington (6.5-08 A-Square), the 7 mm-08 Remington, the .338 Federal, and the .358 Winchester (8.8×51mm). In 1980, two rimmed cartridges based on the 308 Winchester were introduced for use in the Winchester Model 94 XTR Angle Eject rifle: the .307 Winchester and the .356 Winchester. In 2014, the rimless 45 Raptor was introduced to provide a big bore cartridge for the AR-10 by combining the 308 Winchester with the .460 S&W Magnum.[citation needed]
See also
- .30 RAR
- Delta L problem
- List of firearms
- List of rifle cartridges
- Table of handgun and rifle cartridges
- Sectional density
References
- ^ Federal Gold Medal 308 Win. Sierra MatchKing Boat-Tail Hollow Point Match Grade 168
- ^ 30 LIGHT RIFLE (T-65)
- ^ An assortment of US Cal .30 Light Rifle (Pre-7.62 NATO) cartridges
- ^ Simpson, Layne (February 2000). "The 20th Century's Top Rifle Cartridge". Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
- ^ a b Chamberlin FT, Gun Shot Wounds, in Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders, Vol. II, Ackley PO, ed., Plaza Publishing, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1966.
- ^ Courtney A, Courtney M: Links between traumatic brain injury and ballistic pressure waves originating in the thoracic cavity and extremities. Brain Injury 21(7): 657-662, 2007. arXiv:0808.1443
- ^ a b Scientific Evidence for Hydrostatic Shock arXiv:0803.3051
- ^ Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, Fourth Edition, 1991, Hornady Manufacturing Company, Grand Island, NE.
- ^ a b Nosler Reloading Guide Number Four, 1996, Nosler, Inc., Bend OR.
- ^ C.I.P. TDCC sheet .308 Winchester
- ^ The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing Institute (SAAMI), composed of representatives of the firearms, ammunition and components manufacturers, with the purpose of standardizing specs in North America
- ^ SAAMI Velocity and Piezoelectric Transducer Pressure: Centerfire Rifle, 2013, p. 9, "VELOCITY AND PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER PRESSURE: CENTERFIRE RIFLE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-02. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
- ^ SAAMI Unsafe Arms and Ammunition Combinations
- ^ 7.62×51mm NATO or .308 Winchester?
- ^ NATO Chamber Headspace GagesAvailable for 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO
- ^ Speer Reloading Manual Number 12, 1994, Blount, Inc., Lewiston, ID.
- ^ Big Magnums Not Necessary
- ^ Canadian Arctic Rangers Get New Rifle for Polar Bear Defense
- ^ Popular Sporting Rifle Cartridges DBI Books, 1984.
- ^ "The 20th Century's Top Rifle Cartridge," Shooting Times, Feb. 2000. Accessed online Dec. 31, 2012. The "top" rifle cartridge in the century, he said, is the .30-06.
- ^ "Best Sellers," RifleShooter, Jan.Feb. 2013.
- ^ Sturtevant B, Shock Wave Effects in Biomechanics, Sadhana, 23: 579-596, 1998.
- ^ Suneson A, Hansson HA, Seeman T: Pressure Wave Injuries to the Nervous System Caused by High Energy Missile Extremity Impact: Part I. Local and Distant Effects on the Peripheral Nervous System. A Light and Electron Microscopic Study on Pigs. The Journal of Trauma. 30(3):281–294; 1990.
- ^ "Sport Shooting Association of Austrialia". Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ "Palma USA". Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ Litz, Brian. Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting. Cedar Springs, MI : Applied Ballistics, LLC, 2009.
External links
- Ultra-high speed 308 photos amateur high speed photography
- 308 Winchester Cartridge Guide by AccurateShooter.com
- 308 Videos by StoppingPower.Info
- [1] 308 load development at 600m by rifletalks.com