What caliber is this?

[jgodfrey]

I bought a pile of this blindly and don't know what caliber it is. Help!

 

[Dave29461]

Should be 7.62x51 NATO / .308 Win. if that is West Germany.

 

[jgodfrey]

Okay great. I have an m1a and the barrel is stamped NM .308. Do you think it would be safe to fire from it?

 

[Dave29461]

If it is copper jacketed, I would say yes. People get in trouble going the other way .308 in a 7.62x51 firearm that isn't built to exceed 50,000 psi. It should shoot fine.

 

[bigfutz]

I was interested in what the NM was for on your barrel. I found this description somewhere. Is this what you have? If so, nice... very nice.

SPRINGFIELD INC Model M1A National Match Semi Automatic

Springfield Armory 10 + 1 308 Win. w/Black Barrel & Walnut Stock

Springfield's National Match rifle offers incredible competition
performance with features such as air gauged national match medium weight
barrel, custom match grade op-rod and recoil spring guides, national match
gas system assembly, national match front sight, national match hooded rear
sight assembly, national match trigger assembly and flash suppressor.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: NA9102
Category: FIREARMS - TACTICAL RIFLES
Action :Semi-Automatic
Caliber :308 Winchester
Bbl Length :22"
Capacity :10 + 1
Trigger :Two stage military
Safety :Garand Type
OAL :44.33"
Weight :9.8 lbs
Stock :Walnut
Finish :Black

 

[jgodfrey]

Thanks Dave, in researching I've found it's non corrosive but also not reloadable. It's copper jacketed and brass cased.

I believe my rifle is a standard m1a with a national match barrel. Only because I haven't seen any markings on the op rod or gas system. Also, it doesn't have the shrouded rear sight. I bought it second handed and thought it to be a standard model. Then later found the NM stamp. It was my lucky day I guess!

It will tear up an 8in target at 100 yards with iron sights. Had planned to scope it but it shoots so well why bother!