7.62 × 51 mm NATO
Full-power battle rifle and GPMG cartridge
The 7.62 × 51 mm NATO is NATO’s full-power cartridge and remains the standard chambering for general purpose machine guns and for sniper and designated marksman rifles in almost all NATO forces. Adopted in 1954 and standardised under STANAG 2310, it substantially out-ranges 5.56 NATO: the M80 ball load goes subsonic at around 900 m, while match loadings remain supersonic beyond 1,000 m.
Full Specifications
Cartridge dimensions
| Designation | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO / 7.62 NATO |
|---|---|
| Case type | Rimless, bottleneck |
| Bullet diameter | 7.82 mm (0.308 in); land diameter 7.62 mm |
| Neck diameter | 8.8 mm (0.345 in) |
| Shoulder diameter | 11.5 mm (0.454 in) |
| Base diameter | 11.9 mm (0.470 in) |
| Rim diameter | 12.0 mm (0.473 in), rim thickness 1.3 mm |
| Case length | 51.2 mm (2.015 in) |
| Overall length | 71.1 mm (2.800 in) |
| Case capacity | 3.38 mL (52.0 gr H₂O) |
Ballistics
| 147 gr (10 g) M80 FMJ | 853 m/s (2,800 ft/s), 3,469 J |
|---|---|
| 150.5 gr (10 g) M59 FMJ | 856 m/s (2,810 ft/s), 3,590 J |
| 175 gr (11 g) match BTHP | 792 m/s (2,600 ft/s), 3,561 J |
| Test barrel length | 559 mm (22 in); 610 mm (24 in) for match loads |
| Rifling twist | 304.8 mm (1 in 12 in), four grooves |
Standards & pressure
| NATO EPVAT Pmax | 415.00 MPa (60,191 psi) |
|---|---|
| C.I.P. Pmax | 415.00 MPa (60,191 psi); proof 521.30 MPa |
| Primer | Berdan or Boxer large rifle |
| Standardisation | STANAG 2310; adopted 1954 |
Service context
| Introduced | Developed 1944–1949, in service 1954–present, United States |
|---|---|
| Effective range | 800–1,800 m depending on mount for a GPMG |
| Typical platforms | General purpose machine guns, battle rifles, sniper and DMR rifles |
Dimensional, ballistic and pressure figures are the published C.I.P., NATO and SAAMI reference values for the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO cartridge (reference data). Steadfast production lots are proof tested and certified against the applicable standard. Product imagery is an in-house Steadfast studio visualisation and is indicative only; actual finish, headstamp and lot markings follow the applicable standard and the customer order.
