7.62x51mm NATO is the standard rifle cartridge of NATO member nations, introduced in 1954 as a replacement for the .30-06 Springfield. Dimensionally similar to the .308 Winchester but with slightly different chamber specifications and pressure standards.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1954, Belgium
Standardization: NATO
Bullet diameter: 0.308" (7.82 mm)
Case length: 2.015" (51.18 mm)
Overall length: 2.8" (71.1 mm)
Max pressure: 60,191 PSI
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:10
Muzzle velocity: 2600–2900 fps
Muzzle energy: 2469–3088 ft-lbs
Effective range: 800 yd
Common bullet weights: 147, 168, 175 gr
Primary use: military, target, hunting
Production status: Active
Also known as: 7.62 NATO · .308 Win (mil) · 7.62x51
History: Developed in the early 1950s to standardize a common rifle cartridge across NATO allies. Adopted by the United States as the T65 before formal NATO standardization. Chambered in the M14, FN FAL, G3, and numerous other service rifles. Still in front-line use in the M240 machine gun and M110 sniper system.
Notable firearms: M14, FN FAL, HK G3, M240B, M110 SASS, SR-25, SCAR-H
Military use: {"country": "USA", "years": "1954–present", "conflicts": ["Vietnam", "Gulf War", "Iraq", "Afghanistan"]}, {"country": "NATO allies", "years": "1954–present", "conflicts": []}
Similar cartridges: .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 6.5 Creedmoor