As a firearms expert with extensive knowledge in ballistics and caliber specifications, I can provide a detailed comparison between the .308 Winchester and the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges.

The .308 Winchester, often simply referred to as .308, is a popular rifle cartridge that was introduced in 1952. It is known for its accuracy and versatility, being used for hunting, target shooting, and even military applications. The .308 caliber bullet typically has a diameter of .308 inches (7.85 mm) and is commonly used in the United States.

On the other hand, the 7.62x51mm NATO is a military cartridge that was developed from the .308 Winchester. It was adopted by NATO forces in 1954 and is also known as the .308 NATO or .308 Winchester NATO. The "7.62x51mm" refers to the bullet's diameter in millimeters (7.62 mm) and the case length (51 mm). While the bullet diameter is the same as the .308 Winchester, the 7.62x51mm NATO has a longer case, which allows for a higher powder capacity and can result in slightly higher velocities and energy.

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If using .308 Win. ammo in a rifle chambered for the 7.62��51 NATO round, the shooter should pay close attention to the overall condition of the rifle, as the commercial round is loaded to higher maximum pressures. The cartridge was developed in the 1950's as the NATO standard small-arms cartridge.read more >>