Range Report 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

[LinSchryver]

I know this is going to sound like Im behind the times on whats currently the best rounds for a 308, but, I went shooting last weekend and shot some 175 Federal GMM.

I was amazed at how good it shot compared to the 168 grain in the same conditions.

I went up to Impact Training with some customers and we were sighting in a 50 bmg at 400 yards.
I took along one of my new guns I just had built.

I was using a Schmidt and Bender 5-25 with the P4 fine reticle on it.
Even in a 20-25 mph wind it was soaking 5 shots in a 4" group like it was nothing.
I just dont remember it being that easy, in the windy conditions, to do that good with the 168 grain stuff.

I cant wait for warm weather and no wind conditions to see what kind of groups that thing can really shoot.

I have heard that 175 is the way everyone has been going but just what kind of differences has anyone out there seen between the two?

I know the local SWAT teams still use the 168 because thats what they are sighted in for.
Should they be trying the 175 and recalibrating their guns?

Thanks, Lin

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

From the ranges most SWAT teams take shots at, I wouldn't sweat the difference if they are already wedded to the 168s. Personally, I like most anything better than the 168s.

Josh

 

[Graham]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

I haven't found any difference out to 500 meters. The 175's take over at 700, though, stay supersonic much longer, and transition better back through the sound barrier.

 

[skibum]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

Lin,
Good looking rifle! What are the build specs on it?

 

[LinSchryver]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

I used a Surgeon Action, the Surgeon .308 BF Short Integral Repeater Action Model 591 w/Tactical Bolt Knob Upgrade.

I then put a Lilja 1/10 twist barrel and had it left at 1.250" dia.
I had it cut to 24"

Jewell trigger set at 1 lb.

Then used the AI chassis and had it modified to fit the chassis, which really didnt take much.

At 100 it soaks them all in one hole, as you would probably suspect it would. LOL

Impact Training is our closest long distance range in the area.
We can shoot out to 600 yards there and thats a nice distance with the 308.

I have had tons of different 308 rifles and its pretty much my favorite caliber.
After having a Lilja barrel put on a 40X that was traded in here and seeing how it shot, I decided to use it on these builds.
Lilja not only kicks ass in the 50 bmg area, but also in the 308's!


Thanks, Lin

 

[Roscoe_M4]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

Both of my .308s group a little tighter with the 168s at 100yds. I use them for practice because our range is limited to 300 yds except for scheduled matches and because they used to be considerably less expensive when on sale. I still reload them for practice with a couple of factory duplication loads I have developed. Typically, 168s seem to be a little better for 100 - 300 yd matches.

For me the 175s seem to settle down from 200 yds on out and definitely outshine the 168s at long range. I switch over to SMK 175s any time I will be shooting tactical comps or matches that will go past 500 yds, and I keep my primary stick sighted in for 175s.

The 100 yd zero is almost the same for both 168s and 175s in my sticks - just a couple of clicks difference.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LinSchryver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know this is going to sound like Im behind the times on whats currently the best rounds for a 308, but, I went shooting last weekend and shot some 175 Federal GMM.

I was amazed at how good it shot compared to the 168 grain in the same conditions.

I went up to Impact Training with some customers and we were sighting in a 50 bmg at 400 yards.
I took along one of my new guns I just had built.

I was using a Schmidt and Bender 5-25 with the P4 fine reticle on it.
Even in a 20-25 mph wind it was soaking 5 shots in a 4" group like it was nothing.
I just dont remember it being that easy, in the windy conditions, to do that good with the 168 grain stuff.

I cant wait for warm weather and no wind conditions to see what kind of groups that thing can really shoot.

I have heard that 175 is the way everyone has been going but just what kind of differences has anyone out there seen between the two?

I know the local SWAT teams still use the 168 because thats what they are sighted in for.
Should they be trying the 175 and recalibrating their guns?

Thanks, Lin </div></div>

So, you shot MOA at 400 in a 20MPH+ wind. How did you counter wind for such an awesome outcome.

 

[SavageStag]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

Are you bringing that sucker to Impact in June?

 

[Goldbeachman]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sterling Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

So, you shot MOA at 400 in a 20MPH+ wind. How did you counter wind for such an awesome outcome. </div></div>

Detecting a bit of skepticism. Refreshing.

That certainly would be an awesome feat as described. It would have a lot less to do with the gun and bullet than the shooter.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KIMO</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sterling Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

So, you shot MOA at 400 in a 20MPH+ wind. How did you counter wind for such an awesome outcome. </div></div>

Detecting a bit of skepticism. Refreshing.

That certainly would be an awesome feat as described. It would have a lot less to do with the gun and bullet than the shooter.</div></div>

Either the wind was prevailing for all shots, or he's very good with wind favors. I'm assuming he's very good with favors, and, wanting to learn something here, I'd like to know how he did it. It appears, however, he's not going to share his secret.

What's interesting is that going from a 20 to 25 mph wind, or from a 25 mph wind to 20 at 400 yards is worth about 2 MOA, or 8 inches of favor. Thing is, discerning a change in prevailing wind at those velocities would be difficult for me, and I'm pretty good at it. So, yeah, I guess I'm skeptical. I'd be pleased if I could keep 'em all inside 2 MOA.

Yet, since I'm frequently called an arrogant sling shooter snob ass on this forum, I don't want to go further to say the poster was lying or exaggerating, as such words might cause some here to want to prosecute me for what appears to them as me having an attitude, even though the BS of the matter should be obvious to any who actually do know something about the effects of wind.

 

[Notso]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

Well, one thing I did learn here are some new terms. I have never heard the term: "soaking" bullets into one hole or the term "wind favors".

As for whether someone is lying or not..... Why do you care? I see people brag or exaggerate in the internets all the time. As long as they are not trying to make money, promote some product, or provide assistance to someone needing help - I just recognize the braggadocio for what it is, chuckle and move on. People get so worked up over this shit. I'll be the first to throw the BS flag when it's obvious the poster is passing false info to someone that might then turn around and use that bad info out of ignorance. But bragging about shooting MOA in 20+ mph wind? Who knows, maybe he did that day because the wind was really steady or he got lucky or whatever. Who cares. Chuckle and move on.

 

[Goldbeachman]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

Relax brother, anyone who knows anything knows this was a bit of puffery. He's selling the rifle commercially, which by the way, looks like a damn fine gun.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Notso</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, one thing I did learn here are some new terms. I have never heard the term: "soaking" bullets into one hole or the term "wind favors".

As for whether someone is lying or not..... Why do you care? I see people brag or exaggerate in the internets all the time. As long as they are not trying to make money, promote some product, or provide assistance to someone needing help - I just recognize the braggadocio for what it is, chuckle and move on. People get so worked up over this shit. I'll be the first to throw the BS flag when it's obvious the poster is passing false info to someone that might then turn around and use that bad info out of ignorance. But bragging about shooting MOA in 20+ mph wind? Who knows, maybe he did that day because the wind was really steady or he got lucky or whatever. Who cares. Chuckle and move on. </div></div>

Chuckle and move on? Who cares? Well, you cared enough to post an articulate response. And, if I understand it right, I should just treat the incredible post as if it were a fish story? Is that right? Well, now I am chuckling.

 

[mkollman74]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

Life is way too short to worry about this piddly crap...

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mkollman74</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Life is way too short to worry about this piddly crap...</div></div>

I just looked at all of your recent posts, and it appears to me you're a big fan of piddly crap. Why are you wading in it if you don't like it? Words do matter; and, I think if you look at Lowlight's signature you may better understand the consequence of exaggerations, no matter the discussion context.