As a firearms expert with extensive knowledge in ballistics and ammunition, I can tell you that the 7.62x54mm and **.308 Winchester (often simply referred to as .308 or 7.62x51mm NATO)** are not the same. While they are similar in size and are both widely used in military and civilian applications, there are key differences between the two cartridges.

Firstly, the 7.62x54mm was developed by the Russians and has been in use since the late 19th century. It is a rimmed cartridge, which means it has a small protruding rim at the base of the casing. This design is beneficial for certain older firearms that rely on the rim for extraction. The 7.62x54mm is known for its powerful long-range performance and is often used in Dragunov sniper rifles and PK machine guns.

On the other hand, the .308 Winchester is an American cartridge developed in the post-World War II era. It is a rimless cartridge, which allows for smoother feeding in modern firearms. The .308 is widely regarded for its accuracy and is commonly used in bolt-action rifles for hunting and target shooting. It is also the basis for the 7.62x51mm NATO round, which is used by many NATO countries.

The differences in the casing dimensions, the presence of a rim on the 7.62x54mm, and the different pressures and performance characteristics mean that these two cartridges are not interchangeable. Firearms chambered for one will not safely or accurately fire the other.

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Is 7.62x54 hotter(higher pressure) than the .308?Can they be interchanged and both fired out of the same weapon? I believe you mean 7.62x51, not 54mm which is the rimmed Russian round. . 308 is slightly higher pressure, but not so much so that it is not safe to fire in a gun chambered in 7.62 NATO.read more >>