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Caliber comparison

.223 Rem. vs .308 Win.

.223 Rem. or .308 Win.? In short: According to the C.I.P., the .308 Win. has the longer case (51.18 mm vs 44.7 mm). The C.I.P. allows the higher maximum pressure for the .223 Rem. (4,300 bar vs 4,150 bar). Muzzle energy of the factory loads in the catalog, as stated by the manufacturers: .223 Rem. 1,411–1,939 J; .308 Win. 572–4,080 J. Bullet weights: .223 Rem. 35–77 gr; .308 Win. 108–220 gr. In the gun catalog: .223 Rem. 28 models; .308 Win. 87 models. Standards retrieved on ; catalog date at the bottom of the page.

Specifications side by side

.223 Rem. and .308 Win.: standards and manufacturer data
Spec.223 Rem..308 Win.
IgnitionCenterfireCenterfire
Nominal size5.56 mm7.62 mm
C.I.P. designation223 Rem.308 Win.
Maximum pressure Pmax (C.I.P.)4,300 bar4,150 bar
Maximum case length (C.I.P., L3)44.7 mm51.18 mm
Maximum overall length (C.I.P., L6)57.4 mm71.12 mm
Bullet diameter (C.I.P., G1)5.7 mm7.85 mm
Maximum average pressure, MAP (SAAMI, transducer)55,000 psi62,000 psi
Factory loads in the catalog (manufacturers)119 (16)197 (16)
Bullet weight (manufacturer data)35–77 gr (2.27–4.99 g)108–220 gr (7–14.3 g)
Muzzle velocity V0 (manufacturer data)785–1,219 m/s305–991 m/s
Muzzle energy E0 (manufacturer data)1,411–1,939 J572–4,080 J
of which lead-free826
Models in the gun catalog2887
Shooting disciplines in Germany (by name / by caliber range)27 / 10625 / 157

The C.I.P. and SAAMI each measure chamber pressure by their own method, so their figures are shown side by side and not converted from one to the other.

Factory loads: range of manufacturer figures in the catalog

Only current products are counted. Bullet weight, velocity and energy appear only where the manufacturer states them; they apply to the manufacturer’s test barrel.

.223 Rem.

.308 Win.

Guns in the catalog

The catalog lists these models in both chamberings:

Shooting disciplines in Germany

Approved rulebooks of German shooting associations: .223 Rem. 27 by name, 106 by caliber range; .308 Win. 25 by name, 157 by caliber range. In 114 disciplines, both cartridges are allowed.

A discipline for your gun type in an approved set of sport regulations does not yet mean you have a recognized need. An association your club belongs to must certify, under its sport regulations, that the gun is approved for a discipline and required for it; on top of that come twelve months of sport shooting in a club, the shooting activity record, acquisition spacing, the quota and the minimum age. The association certifies, the authority decides. The wording of the regulations governs.

What this comparison does not say

This comparison puts specifications side by side. Which cartridge may be fired in a particular gun is determined solely by the caliber marking on the barrel or by the gun manufacturer.

How a cartridge performs on target depends on bullet, load, barrel length and distance. This page does not rate which cartridge is “better”.

Sources and date

Standards retrieved on . Our own presentation of individual figures, not an official reproduction; the original document prevails. Waffenschrank is not affiliated with the C.I.P. or SAAMI.

Specifications come from the source cited alongside them; counts are based on our catalog as of the date stated. Not legal advice: what follows from these figures in a given country is decided by that country’s law. Waffenschrank is not affiliated with the manufacturers named.

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