Are USGI .308 and 30-06 FMJ bullets interchangeable for reloading?

[NorwichCadet]

I have bunch of FMJ .308 bullets almost identical to a few FMJ 30-06 bullets I have. Can I use them(.308) to reload 30-06? THANKS

WT Length Diam
.308 148 1.1210 .308
30-06 150 1.0985 .308

Information

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[jamie5070]

I've seen 30-06 listed with 147 gr bullets

[Daan Kemp]

It depends. Almost isn't certain sure.

What are the bullet weights, shape, etc? What do you intend to use them for?

[browningautorifle]

I've done it for years, straight from 7.62 nato ammo to .30 cal cases and the reverse. Never had a problem. All measured at .308 too, I know, I checked.

[NorwichCadet]

Weight/size data-Look at the table in my original post. Columns are shifted. Target shooting. If it goes bang and cycles ok I'll be happy. THANKS

[browningautorifle]

Weight/size data-Look at the table in my original post.

I wasn't target shooting for group accuracy, I had a BAR, an M1 rifle, a Johnstone Automatic and a 1903 Springfield. I needed cheap bullets so I pulled bullets from our IVI 7.62 ball. I used them through thousands of rounds of .30 cal and had no problems with feed or practical accuracy.

[old tanker]

The .30 cal bullet M2 ball is 150 grain flat base, the 7.62 bullet, M80 ball is a 147 grain boattail. They are pretty much the same length, but the cannelure is in slightly different location on each. Bullets like the Hornady 30 Cal .308 150 gr FMJ-BT 3037B al close to the M80 ball than M2 ball. Loaded to the cannelure in .30-06 OAL is on the short side. M2 bullets loaded to the cannelure in .7.62 may be too long.

[Bruce McAskill]

Can you use the 148 gr BTFMJ from the 7.62 x 51 in the 30-06. Yes you can BUT you will not get the best accuracy out of the 30-06. 30-06 is best with a rate of twist of 1 in 10 while the 7.62x51 rate is 1 in 12. The difference is the bearing surface of the two different rounds. The longer bearing surface the better in the 30-06 being the standard 150 FMJ with flat base.

[old tanker]

The Springfield 1903 rifle was initially designed to shoot the 220 grain round nose bullet that had been used in the Krag. After the Germans started making ammo with pointy bullets, US Ordnance hastily replaced caliber .30-03 with .30-06. They did not bother to change the twist rate. Many manufacturers still use 1:10 twist in .30-06 and while using 1:12 in the same model rifles chambered for.308. One reason the -06 is a better choice if you like heavy bullets.

[browningautorifle]

One reason the -06 is a better choice if you like heavy bullets.

I used to love the 220 gr Hornady bullets until they stopped shipping them to Canada. Can't get them here now.