best .308 ammo for cetme and g3

[RLDBUSER]

ok what the best ammo for the cetme and g3, im planning on buying some ammo to just shot for fun and to keep around? and what the best for hunting deer or hog?

[savage223]

Wolf FMJ functions fine and is probably the cheapest although it is pretty dirty.

[drine]

NATO spec ammo is suggested, heavily. Commercial ammo may not hold up well due to the fluted chamber. Wolf works for most. Putting cost aside, I'd shoot Winchester white box all day. British RadwayGreen is also good. I like these two mostly because they are very clean and consistent. I've got South African set aside for rainy days. It is sooty but functions well. I've shot Portugese, Israeli, and a couple of the other surplus you USED to be able get and they functioned well. I haven't shot any of the bulk Lithuanian ammo they are offering now.
Hunting ammo should be reloaded from good mil-spec cases. If you don't reload, I have shot a couple of boxes of commercial hunting ammo and haven't had a problem but each one of these rifles have different degrees of wear and of course were reassembled by monkeys. Get a broken shell extractor either way. It should be part of your CETME kit.

[97th Signalman]

NATO spec ammo is suggested, heavily. Commercial ammo may not hold up well due to the fluted chamber. Wolf works for most. Putting cost aside, I'd shoot Winchester white box all day. British RadwayGreen is also good. I like these two mostly because they are very clean and consistent. I've got South African set aside for rainy days. It is sooty but functions well. I've shot Portugese, Israeli, and a couple of the other surplus you USED to be able get and they functioned well. I haven't shot any of the bulk Lithuanian ammo they are offering now.
Hunting ammo should be reloaded from good mil-spec cases. If you don't reload, I have shot a couple of boxes of commercial hunting ammo and haven't had a problem but each one of these rifles have different degrees of wear and of course are were reassembled by monkeys. Get a broken shell extractor either way. It should be part of your CETME kit.

What drine says is all good. I have also fired and reloaded Lithuanian mill spec 7.62 x 51. Stick to NATO marked surplus (Aussie, SA, Portugese, Spanish, RG, and the like) or Nato marked WWB and you won't have to pull many headless cases. For hunting loads I reload WWB and I have also reloaded some Lithuanian but my batch had deeper than normal primer pockets. It worked OK but the primers sure looked funny to be seated so deeply.

[webbed feet]

I just recently picked up 500 rounds of 7.62 NATO DAG from Military Gun Supply of Fort Worth. I am local so I paid taxes, but even then, it was about $.48/round. If you live out of state, I think shipping for 500 rounds in a dry storage box is about $20. The better deal is getting the 1000 rounds at about $.42/round. Even with shipping, you should be able to pick them up at about $.45/round.

Most of the rounds show signs of corrosion. I have read that these rounds were kept in boxes with high acid content. Regardless, the 200 rounds or so rounds I have shot have been without problems. They seem to group just slightly worse than FNM.

[Deadheadmatt]

I just recently picked up 500 rounds of 7.62 NATO DAG from Military Gun Supply of Fort Worth. I am local so I paid taxes, but even then, it was about $.48/round. If you live out of state, I think shipping for 500 rounds in a dry storage box is about $20. The better deal is getting the 1000 rounds at about $.42/round. Even with shipping, you should be able to pick them up at about $.45/round.

Most of the rounds show signs of corrosion. I have read that these rounds were kept in boxes with high acid content. Regardless, the 200 rounds or so rounds I have shot have been without problems. They seem to group just slightly worse than FNM.

Did you tumble or clean the rounds before shooting them? I was wondering about that ammo, but haven't taken the jump yet.

Matt

[19Charlie_84]

Austrian 7.62 is the best surplus, in the green battle packs. Unless you can find Lake City stuff. De-link M60 or M240 if you happen to find any lying around.

[webbed feet]

Did you tumble or clean the rounds before shooting them? I was wondering about that ammo, but haven't taken the jump yet.

Matt

No, I did not tumble or otherwise clean up the ammo I've already used. I think Military Gun Supply offers to tumble the rounds for you if you order the 1000 round lot for an extra $25.

[Smokehouse69]

I agree 100% with Drine. I haven't tried Wolf, I wish I'd got some of the Lithuanian when it was cheaper, I hear it's pretty good stuff. The best I have ever shot was Portuguese and some 69LC Nato. Very clean stuff. :thumbup:

[jbruney]

That old S&B is good shooting(for reasons unknown more accurate in my rifles) and had the best price I've seen in a while. I hear that the stuff is corrosive, so I go a little extra on the clean up with a bit of soapy water.
The Barnaul is okay and just nicks the soft point up every now and then...SA and Lithuanian okay....Haven't done wolf.
I wish that I'd moved into 7.62 NATO about five years ago when that Australian stuff was going around for a song.

[AZIROC]

i shoot mostly nato stuff *german*. but the pervious owner had 2 boxs of federal american eagle .308 and 1 box of UPC (or somethin like that, i forget at the moment). i shot all those and didnt have an issue, but im just playing it safe and shooting the nato stuff till i get enough brass (aorund 2000) and then ill start to reload.

[ssfeldjager]

ok what the best ammo for the cetme and g3, im planning on buying some ammo to just shot for fun and to keep around? and what the best for hunting deer or hog?

So, what is the answer to the OP's question on .308 ammunition?

7.62x51 isn't .308 WIN; he's not asking about surplus.

[97th Signalman]

Because of the difficulties associated with use of commercial .308 ammo in a CETME/G3 your best choice for hunting ammo may be to reload sporting bullets into once-fired military 7.62 x 51 brass.

[ssfeldjager]

Here's a thought consideration: Since 7.62 NATO surplus isn't coming from an infinite supply chain, what are you going to do when the supply of military brass dries up? Does your CETME become another "safe queen"?

[Arkane]

I've fired close to a thousand rounds of wolf through mine with no issues. If you go wolf make sure and spend the extra time to clean the chamber and pay particular attention to the flutes. As stated above the stuff is dirtier than heck.

[97th Signalman]

Here's a thought consideration: Since 7.62 NATO surplus isn't coming from an infinite supply chian, what are you going to do when the supply of military brass dries up? Does your CETME become another "safe queen"?

Winchester loads a batch or two of 7.62 x 51 each year. I would guess that they would increase the frequency and/or size of their production runs. PPU would probably get into the game and you can already buy new Lithuanian ammo. If there is a demand someone will fill it. You can still buy .45-70 and its over 100 years old and hasn't been a military standard for since she Spanish American War.

[earls]

7.62 NATO supply dry up....I seriously doubt that will happen anytime soon.
It is in use with units around the world today, and probably will be for quite awhile to come.
Also as 97th Signalman says "If there is a demand someone will fill it".

[Smokehouse69]

I agree with earls, 7.62x51 is still being produced world wide and there is little chance it will go out of production as long as we keep having wars and revolutions. Lake City is running at 100% capacity at present and I doubt the US Military is going to decrease demand for the stuff.
After 8 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan I think the US and our allies that are fighting with us have discovered that if you want to reach out and touch someone at 500+ meters, the 7.62x51 NATO is the round of choice. In a non-crew served weapon system like the M-14 or M-1A. I here more and more often that M-14s are being sent out to more and more Army and Marine units.

[ssfeldjager]

Availability of supply on the logistical side is one thing for surplus, but the political allowance for releasing government stocks or import restrictions are another matter altogether different. One must not assume that "it will always be there", because is won't, unfortunately. All it takes for the surplus ammuntion supply to dry up is an Executive Order. "It won't happen", you say? Who thought we would have what we have now in the white house? A socialist, islamic president.

Therefore, the need for a "Plan B" reliable ammunition supply. Just thinking ahead, should the need arise due to uncontrollable conditions. :cheers:

[7.62guy]

Availability of supply on the logistical side is one thing for surplus, but the political allowance for releasing government stocks or import restrictions are another matter altogether different. One must not assume that "it will always be there", because is won't, unfortunately. All it takes for the surplus ammuntion supply to dry up is an Executive Order. "It won't happen", you say? Who thought we would have what we have now in the white house? A socialist, islamic president.

Therefore, the need for a "Plan B" reliable ammunition supply. Just thinking ahead, should the need arise due to uncontrollable conditions. :cheers:

you have a point to ponder, but a well stocked reloading bench can take care of that problem p.d.q. for what it's worth.

[bladeworks123]

ok what the best ammo for the cetme and g3, im planning on buying some ammo to just shot for fun and to keep around? and what the best for hunting deer or hog?

Well.... from A to Z....7.62 NATO is what the weapon was designed to fire, To try and adapt it to a hunting round, without reloading, you are limited to Brown Bear, Silver Bear or Wolf with a 148 grain soft point. I'm told Brown Bear isn't quite as dirty as Wolf, but for hunting does dirty matter much???, when you are only talking about two or three rounds, (hopefully less than five). To just have around for fun and plinking,,,,buy some mil surp. Not utilizing your BSE is more fun than using it.


Availability of supply on the logistical side is one thing for surplus, but the political allowance for releasing government stocks or import restrictions are another matter altogether different. One must not assume that "it will always be there", because is won't, unfortunately. All it takes for the surplus ammuntion supply to dry up is an Executive Order. "It won't happen", you say? Who thought we would have what we have now in the white house? A socialist, islamic president.

Therefore, the need for a "Plan B" reliable ammunition supply. Just thinking ahead, should the need arise due to uncontrollable conditions. :cheers:


Under the above scenario, your only "plan B" is going to be what ammo you already have. The same pen that signs your hypothetical Executive Order is going to make all ammmo hard and expensive to get.

[earls]

Availability of supply on the logistical side is one thing for surplus, but the political allowance for releasing government stocks or import restrictions are another matter altogether different. One must not assume that "it will always be there", because is won't, unfortunately. All it takes for the surplus ammuntion supply to dry up is an Executive Order. "It won't happen", you say? Who thought we would have what we have now in the white house? A socialist, islamic president.

Therefore, the need for a "Plan B" reliable ammunition supply. Just thinking ahead, should the need arise due to uncontrollable conditions. :cheers:


Under the above scenario, your only "plan B" is going to be what ammo you already have. The same pen that signs your hypothetical Executive Order is going to make all ammmo hard and expensive to get.

I totally agree with bladeworks123, such an executive order would make any and all ammo hard and expensive to get. Also would probably apply to reloading supplies as well.
IMO such a move would be political suicide.

[Lazarae]

I have had the most success in my .308 rifles with Portuguese surplus. My M1A, HK91 and CETME run like a top with it. I can't use it in our local ranges "run and gun" competition because it is bi-metal. So I used Australian surplus. I have also had success with South African ammo, and Barnaul. I haven't tried the Portuguese with my Saiga .308 or FR-8 Carbine since I bought them later on. If I had to rank the ammo it would go:
Portuguese, most accurate and reliable, pretty clean.
Australian, accurate and reliable, clean.
South African, reliable, a little dirty, I get 1MOA better with Aussie or Port.
Barnaul, reliable, dirty, not as accurate as the SA.

I got about 80 rounds of Chilean ammo with the Saiga. Have yet to try it out. Also the Portuguese was made for use in roller lock rifles. Aussie, and SA was made for variuos FAL rifles.

[cma g21]

... To try and adapt it to a hunting round, without reloading, you are limited to Brown Bear, Silver Bear or Wolf with a 148 grain soft point. I'm told Brown Bear isn't quite as dirty as Wolf, but for hunting does dirty matter much???, when you are only talking about two or three rounds, (hopefully less than five). To just have around for fun and plinking,,,,buy some mil surp. Not utilizing your BSE is more fun than using it.

Under the above scenario, your only "plan B" is going to be what ammo you already have. The same pen that signs your hypothetical Executive Order is going to make all ammmo hard and expensive to get.

FWIW, Georgia Arms loads most of their 'canned heat' .308 using once fired 7.62 NATO brass (easy to spot which they are, by the head stamps). Not cheap, but cleaner and more accurate than Wolf, Barnaul, etc.

http://georgia-arms.com/search.aspx?manufacturer=40&log=false&category=3641

None of the two thousand round of Georgia Arms .308, I bought were loaded using commercial brass (all were 7.62 NATO). I've yet to have a problem with it in a CETME.

YMMV.

[kaizer27]

FWIW, Georgia Arms loads most of their 'canned heat' .308 using once fired 7.62 NATO brass (easy to spot which they are, by the head stamps). Not cheap, but cleaner and more accurate than Wolf, Barnaul, etc.

http://georgia-arms.com/search.aspx?manufacturer=40&log=false&category=3641

None of the two thousand round of Georgia Arms .308, I bought were loaded using commercial brass (all were 7.62 NATO). I've yet to have a problem with it in a CETME.

YMMV.

let me throw out a quick caution on the GA Arms stuff. They like to load from 5.56 nato and 7.62 nato rounds which is true, but most of the brass they get has been run through beltfeds. I have experienced a couple of problems with their .223 stuff, but nothing major.

A couple of years ago they had a couple instances of blown up rifles...I am concerned about a kb in an AR, but the thought of one in 7.62 scares the hell out of me. Just food for thought.

[OUshooter]

Availability of supply on the logistical side is one thing for surplus, but the political allowance for releasing government stocks or import restrictions are another matter altogether different. One must not assume that "it will always be there", because is won't, unfortunately. All it takes for the surplus ammuntion supply to dry up is an Executive Order. "It won't happen", you say? Who thought we would have what we have now in the white house? A socialist, islamic president.

Therefore, the need for a "Plan B" reliable ammunition supply. Just thinking ahead, should the need arise due to uncontrollable conditions. :cheers:

They already took a crack at this earlier this year and it didn't last long. I agree though with your line of thought. However, to keep from derailing the topic.....

I have shot lots of the "white box" Winchester with no complaints. Most of my ammo is stuff I've reloaded using NATO head-stamped cases. Only "commercial" stuff was some Remington that a buddy had, and my lady ripped the 3rd round in half.

[7.62guy]

let me throw out a quick caution on the GA Arms stuff. They like to load from 5.56 nato and 7.62 nato rounds which is true, but most of the brass they get has been run through beltfeds. I have experienced a couple of problems with their .223 stuff, but nothing major.

A couple of years ago they had a couple instances of blown up rifles...I am concerned about a kb in an AR, but the thought of one in 7.62 scares the hell out of me. Just food for thought.

i have fired over 1k rounds of ga. arms in bolt rifles semi autos and full autos with no problems. most of what i shot was 150 gr. nato cases. and 168 gr. match lake city and such no problems.:rockon::2pistol: