Does a Browning .30 caliber machine gun fire. 308 rounds?

[Deanimator]

Links would be the major thing to keep them from working. The M1 pull-out link won't fit over many of those cartridges, and be too loose on others.

Note that I said "with the right parts". I include the belts/links in that.

 

[Deanimator]

Which Cal..30 Browning MG you mean matters, too.
While the M-1919 series have been converted to other calibers, the M-1917 really wasn't (although, IIRC, Browning built samples in 7mm & .303 for potential foreign sales).

Due to contractual and patent issues, the Poles made an unlicensed copy in 7.92x57mm Mauser called the Ckm wz. 30. The Swedes used the Kulspruta m/36, chambered both in 6.5x55mm Swedish and 8x63mm Swedish. The Chinese used a local copy in 7.92x57mm Mauser called the Type 30.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

On the opening post, to someone familiar with belted .308 / 7.62x51mm, belted .30-06 can look huge. Familiar with stubby .308 but seeing longer .30-06 it is not a big leap to think .50 BMG (Wikipedia on .50 BMG: "Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge.") .50 BMG was porportioned like the .30-06 to simply development of the larger M2 MG. I myself am inclined to question Hollywood, knowing that in "Wanted Dead or Alive", the prop people put .45-70 cartridges in the cartridge belt for Josh Randall's .44-40 because they were more impressive.

"Others have sound effects and a muzzle flash but the feed belt is not moving!"
Most of the time CGI muzzle flash and sound effects are safer than using blanks. Plus, the audience is supposed to be caught up in the drama and not notice minor details (like an automatic weapon firing without ejecting cartridges, or a zipper in the monster suit). Hollywood also uses "flash paper" guns whose muzzle flash is literally magic shop flash paper, with gunshot sound added in post-production.

 

[jmorris]

My 1919 is in 308 and yes the links are different than 30/06 links.

They are still "pull out" vs "push through" but the shape is just a bit different. Most people wouldn't notice the difference.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I'm pretty sure I saw some rimmed rounds in at least one of the scenes. Could have been .303.