Converting 8mm topcover to 308

[fritsch]

A simple question, but one I can't seam to find an answer to, despite the sheer amount of information on this website. My question is: Can I convert a Yugo 8mm top cover to 308 by swiching out the connection lever and feed pawls? Is the distance between the posts that hold these two pieces the same on both calibers?

[JBaum]

The hinge pins on the .308 feed pawls are in a slightly different location so that the pawls move a bit further when feeding the cartridges. This is necessary because the .308 cartridge is fatter than the 8mm, so the pawls need to move a little further to jump over the next cartridge. The pivot points in the cover are the same, it's the hinge points in the pawl assembly that are different.

To convert from 8mm to .308, change to the .308 pawls. The feed lever doesn't need changed, nor the connecting lever.

A .308 barrel, feed tray, and sometimes a smaller nozzle all need changed with the pawls for a conversion. Some guns need the nozzle changed, some don't.

[fritsch]

Yessss!!! Thank you!!!! I converted her to 308 a while ago, but I left the top cover in 8mm configuration. It worked, for a while. Lately, though, she's had problems feeding. I've highly suspected the top cover since I could clearly see it just wasn't able to pull the belt in far enough, but haven't had enough money to get a whole new top cover. Thank you!!

[Franz20]

I hate to revive an old topic.

Does the top-cover have to be changed if using the .308 in 8mm belts? Where do you find the new pawls?

Thank you!

Frank

[Der Alder]

RTG has .308 pawls for the MG3. Not sure of those are the same or would work on the older type covers.

[JBaum]

The same cover can be used for both calibers, only the feed pawl assembly needs changed.

[fritsch]

Are we getting nomenclature crossed? I now have a couple .308 top covers, and I swear on my grandma's grave the feed pawl in the only internal that's the same. The connecting lever is longer on the 308, and the operating lever has the notch in the side of the 308, but I can't find anything different about the feed pawls. Am I missing something?

One of my top covers a post war 308 configured top cover with a wartime operating lever and pawls, but a postwar 308 connecting lever. Go figure.

[42rocker]

On several of my German postwar .308 top covers I found all of the parts were German marked but the middle connecting link which is longer also. Of course a different top cover.

Later 42rocker