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Is .308 Ammo Safe to Shoot in 7.62x51mm Rifles? Can I shoot 7.62x51 ammo in my .308 Rifle? That's a very common question among shooters. The short answer is that you can fire 7.62x51 rounds in a .308 rifle safely but it's not suggested that you fire .308 ammo in a 7.62x51mm rifle. The .308 civilian firearm evolved from the military 7.62x51 rifle. In fact, the 308 Winchester made its debut two years after NATO adopted the 7.62x51mm rifle for its military purposes. While the cartridges are very similar, there are some subtle differences that may play a role in how comfortable you feel using them interchangeably. The image below illustrates those differences and what it might mean for you as a serious shooter.