Lindcott Armory Compare / .303 British vs .308 Winchester
Cartridge comparison
.303 British vs .308 Winchester
.308 Winchester is faster (2,850 vs 2,690 fps); .308 Winchester carries more energy (2,700 vs 2,600 ft·lb); .308 Winchester recoils less.
.303 British →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.308 Winchester →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .303 British | .308 Winchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | Rifle |
| Introduced | 1889 | 1952 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.311″ | 0.308″ |
| Case length | 2.222″ | 2.015″ |
| Velocity | 2,440–2,690 fps | 2,600–2,850 fps |
| Energy | 2,400–2,600 ft·lb | 2,400–2,700 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 49,000 psi | 62,000 psi |
| Recoil | 16–22 ft·lb | 15–20 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 600 yd | 800 yd |
FAQs
- Is .303 British faster than .308 Winchester?
- .308 Winchester is faster — up to 2,850 fps versus 2,690 fps.
- Does .303 British hit harder than .308 Winchester?
- .308 Winchester carries more muzzle energy (2,700 vs 2,600 ft·lb).