Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I’m a revolver & shotgun guy - never thought about buying a rifle here, but ever since Everytown for Internment Camps really, really, doesn’t want me to have a rifle, it’s crystal clear that I really, really should be buying one.

I really like the M14, and know I can get an M1A in .308 from Springfield - an awesome and plentiful cartridge it seems, but I’d I’m attracted to the smaller armory-made ones, which are all in the original 7.62 chambering.

Is 7.62 readily available out here, and if (hopefully) so, where’s the best place to buy it?

Thanks in advance for your time in helping me out!

Yes, you really, really should buy an M14/M1A platform rifle - they are fun to shoot.

I'll leave the availability question to others since I reload and haven't bought centerfire ammo in a long time.  You used to be able to find surplus M80 ball easily, but most of it has dried up.  You can still find guys selling bandoleers of it at the gun show, but it's hard to find someone that is selling a whole can of it.  I know a couple of guys that are sitting on cans of M118 that might consider selling.

Without getting into the whole 7.62 vs 308W subject you can check with the manufacturer if they state that it's safe to shoot 308W in the 7.62 rifle you end up buying.  You can also get an adjustable gas plug like the one offered by Schuster Mfg that will allow you to tune your rile to commercial ammo or handloads.  I've used one on an M1 Garand and it works well.

Good luck in your search.

In general, you'll probably be better off buying a .308 Win rifle (M1A).  The round has a higher standard pressure tolerance than the 7.62x51 rifles:  62,000 psi vs. 60,000 psi respectively (SAMI specs).  The casings for .308 are also slightly thicker to withstand the higher pressure.

It is normally safe to shoot both rounds in a .308 rifle, but you will need to check with the manufacturer of a 7.62x51 firearm to verify it's safe to use .308.

As always, if you load your own ammo, you can make either round interchangeable if you use the lower pressure spec.

Availability is probably better addressed by local gun shops.  Any caliber is subject to shortages, increases in demand, etc.

Yes, you really, really should buy an M14/M1A platform rifle - they are fun to shoot.

I'll leave the availability question to others since I reload and haven't bought centerfire ammo in a long time.  You used to be able to find surplus M80 ball easily, but most of it has dried up.  You can still find guys selling bandoleers of it at the gun show, but it's hard to find someone that is selling a whole can of it.  I know a couple of guys that are sitting on cans of M118 that might consider selling.

Without getting into the whole 7.62 vs 308W subject you can check with the manufacturer if they state that it's safe to shoot 308W in the 7.62 rifle you end up buying.  You can also get an adjustable gas plug like the one offered by Schuster Mfg that will allow you to tune your rile to commercial ammo or handloads.  I've used one on an M1 Garand and it works well.

Good luck in your search.

Thanks for the info dude! - especially that getting components to reload it out here is apparently no big deal.

Thanks again!

In general, you'll probably be better off buying a .308 Win rifle (M1A).  The round has a higher standard pressure tolerance than the 7.62x51 rifles:  62,000 psi vs. 60,000 psi respectively (SAMI specs).  The casings for .308 are also slightly thicker to withstand the higher pressure.

It is normally safe to shoot both rounds in a .308 rifle, but you will need to check with the manufacturer of a 7.62x51 firearm to verify it's safe to use .308.

As always, if you load your own ammo, you can make either round interchangeable if you use the lower pressure spec.

Availability is probably better addressed by local gun shops.  Any caliber is subject to shortages, increases in demand, etc.

Thanks friend! - guess it’s best to get off my ass and call around.  Also, I believe you’re right about being better off with .308/M1A, it’s just I have yen for vintage-stuff, being somewhat antique myself.

Thanks friend! - guess it’s best to get off my ass and call around - mahalo!

Availability is always in flux.  Even if you can find what you need when you need it, it might be a different brand or type than you wanted.

If you're concerned with finding what you like to use, it's best to stockpile some whenever you find it and/or when the price drops.

If you store it properly, I doubt it'll go bad before you get around to using it.  And, if (when?) prices go crazy again, you could make a little profit while helping out shooters who can't find it in stock.

It isn't an uncommon caliber like 50 cal or even 5.7; but it isn't always in stock either like 9mm or 223/556.  This is without any major inventory shortage reasons like panic buying.

My opinion is you can buy that platform and you will be able to get ammo that's available and "affordable".  Compare this if you're asking to buy a 50 cal rifle. 

It isn't an uncommon caliber like 50 cal or even 5.7; but it isn't always in stock either like 9mm or 223/556.  This is without any major inventory shortage reasons like panic buying.

My opinion is you can buy that platform and you will be able to get ammo that's available and "affordable".  Compare this if you're asking to buy a 50 cal rifle.

I believe you are right on point about that!

The folks at Firearms International had plenty of 7.62NATO, and it seems they are intent on keeping pretty wide array of I guess “niche” - probably not the right word - i.e. not 556/223 calibers - like 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Blackout, 7.62x39, etc.

I really like doing business with those guys (& girls) - knowledgeable and helpful - even when you can tell they’re having a bad day (like everyone calling for their affidavits which they want NOW).

I was super relieved, as I really wanted an M14.  I picked up 100 rounds to start, and went ahead and ordered one from James River Armory (paired Winchester bolt, op rod and trigger group).

“Baseball been berry, berry good to me!” - Chico Escuela

I believe you are right on point about that!

The folks at Firearms International had plenty of 7.62NATO, and it seems they are intent on keeping pretty wide array of I guess “niche” - probably not the right word - i.e. not 556/223 calibers - like 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Blackout, 7.62x39, etc.

I really like doing business with those guys (& girls) - knowledgeable and helpful - even when you can tell they’re having a bad day (like everyone calling for their affidavits which they want NOW).

I was super relieved, as I really wanted an M14.  I picked up 100 rounds to start, and went ahead and ordered one from James River Armory (paired Winchester bolt, op rod and trigger group).

“Baseball been berry, berry good to me!” - Chico Escuela

They also help the cause. For me, I will only do business with shops that help the cause.  The only exception is SEC cause my friends family owns the place.

They also help the cause. For me, I will only do business with shops that help the cause.  The only exception is SEC cause my friends family owns the place.

Yep.  Agree 100%.  Boggles my mind that not every single shop in the Islands was fully engaged and fighting.

SB401 was specifically about putting them completely out of business - the long, slow, hard way, by strangling them to death.  Diabolical, in that it said “See, you can keep everything you have now - what’s the big deal” - banking on people here being idiots and not understanding that it was their “final solution” to the 2A in Hawaii.  No ammo in Hawaii without shops to buy it from, etc., etc., etc.

Unbelievable.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I’m a revolver & shotgun guy - never thought about buying a rifle here, but ever since Everytown for Internment Camps really, really, doesn’t want me to have a rifle, it’s crystal clear that I really, really should be buying one.

I really like the M14, and know I can get an M1A in .308 from Springfield - an awesome and plentiful cartridge it seems, but I’d I’m attracted to the smaller armory-made ones, which are all in the original 7.62 chambering.

Is 7.62 readily available out here, and if (hopefully) so, where’s the best place to buy it?

Thanks in advance for your time in helping me out!

wait till you discover AR-10's.  and then go into 6.5CM.   now you got an ammo feeding habit.

 

wait till you discover AR-10's.  and then go into 6.5CM.   now you got an ammo feeding habit.

 

Wow.  7.62NATO is actually a gateway drug ….

Looks like my finances will be fuked.