7.62x51 NATO Ammo Prices

NATO standardized it in 1954 and it armed the M14, the M60, and half the West's battle rifles. It remains in military production worldwide, which keeps surplus-pattern 147 grain FMJ flowing into the civilian market.

The fine print runs the other direction from 5.56: commercial .308 Winchester can be loaded warmer than NATO spec, so 7.62x51 runs safe in .308 rifles while the reverse deserves a chamber check. Case buys of brass-cased NATO-spec ball are the value anchor of the .30-caliber world.