Commercial is hotter and shorter. Nato spec has a longer headspace. Look at the tacked threads for info on headspace. My SAI loaded was a pretty tight headspace. Tight enough for SAAMI loads. A USGI barrel may be different though. They give you a sheet with your headspace written on it so you know, if you buy new. If not, maybe get the headspaced checked before firing commercial. Any surplus or nato should be gtg, unless you get a thouroughly worn chamber. Hope this helps. Red_Label
3/8/2007 4:37:11 PM ten-ring: Sweet Looking rifle Red Label. As soon as my tax check hit’s the bank account (in about a week) I’m joining the club. I can’t wait to do a little shopping. I was in your same position a year ago. Actually, I laid-away my rifle in November and then made payments and waited until Feb to pay it off. It was a VERY long 3 months. I was like a kid in the candy store the day I brought her home. She still gets fondled and shot more than my AR after a year. My AR just sits in there waiting for SHTF duties. Sorry "Bushy"… "Springer" is the the lady I like to take to the dance… LARRYG 3/8/2007 6:32:48 PM boricua9mm: My understanding of it is that commercial .308 loads are actually hotter than their military 7.62 counterpart.SpringfieldArmory Inc. rifles are headspaced to fire either cartridge safely. Not only higher pressures, but the commercial .308 uses thinner casings than does 7.62 NATO. boricua9mm
3/8/2007 8:00:20 PM LARRYG: Not only higher pressures, but the commercial .308 uses thinner casings than does 7.62 NATO. Interesting! –