Range Report Federal GM vs. Lake City Match vs. DoubleTap group comparison.

[SquidHC]

So I went to the range today to shoot my brand new .308 rifle for the first time! I brought with me the following rounds.

Federal Gold Metal Match 168g Sierra HPBT
McNett's DoubleTap Match 168g HPBT
Lake City 1965 Match 173g FMJ

I acknowledge that I am not a very good shot, so don't laugh at my groups. However, (and I'm sure not to most of your surprise) there was a significant difference in 100 yard my groupings. I'm not being bias. I fired 20 rounds of each type in sequence without getting up, moving, or changing targets while shooting the best I could. Squares are 1".

Federal Gold Metal Match (5 rnds)

McNett's DoubleTap (6 rnds)

Lake City (5 rnds)

Needless to say I know which brand I will be avoiding in the future.

 

[17874]

What kind of rifle and is your barrel broken in?

 

[SquidHC]

These were fired from a Remington 700 AAC-SD. This is results from the first time the rifle had ever been fired. However there had already been around 40 rounds put downrange prior to these groups being tested.

 

[Seuss]

Never used any Double Tap match stuff, but have had some extremely + results w their hunting ammo, sub 1/2" in factory sporters, we have used his stuff for years.

 

[sandwarrior]

If you can put groups together like the Fed GM and LC, the double tap stuff is clearly not for your gun. A lot of times, loads are built around the shortest barrel or gas path you may encounter. So, when you use a longer barrel, the harmonics aren't what they are with FGMM or LC. You'll get wild groups like what you shot.

How did the other 14 bullets fare?

 

[Early Cuyler]

Thanks for taking the time to do the test and posting the results. I think it is pretty clear for you to stay away from the DoubleTap stuff. The FGMM and LC had fliers (possibly due to operator error, no offense) but were still about 1" groups which is a helluva lot better than the 3" DoubleTap group posted. Just for clarification are these the best groups, worst groups, or about average groups for the whole 20rds of each ammo?

 

[den42]

I enjoyed reading your resluts and thank you for taking the time and (money) to go to the range and do this, agree 100% with sandwarrior and the others your rifles DOES NOT like the doubletap ammo, i have never used there ammo before but would be interesting to see how my rig fairs with it, but very good resluts both of the others, I thought those where very good groups.

 

[SquidHC]

If you can put groups together like the Fed GM and LC, the double tap stuff is clearly not for your gun. A lot of times, loads are built around the shortest barrel or gas path you may encounter. So, when you use a longer barrel, the harmonics aren't what they are with FGMM or LC. You'll get wild groups like what you shot.

How did the other 14 bullets fare?

These groups were average for each type of ammunition. This is my first bolt action rifle, and my first time shooting it so the fliers are very likely user error. The rifle has a 20" varmint contour barrel.

 

[sandwarrior]

These groups were average for each type of ammunition. This is my first bolt action rifle, and my first time shooting it so the fliers are very likely user error. The rifle has a 20" varmint contour barrel.

SquidHC,

I'm not thinking it's operator error. A cross section of your groups explains that the "one ragged hole and small flyers" is typical of FGMM and LC. If you had 2/2 of good/bad groups, then maybe. But even though you've put only few bullets downrange through your rifle, I sense you are doing what it takes to shoot tight groups. The rifle is not shooting the double-tap groups the way they should.
If it were me I wouldn't waste more time and money on the double tap stuff in this rifle. FWIW, I don't waste money on 'new and improved' much at all. I shoot what works. The LC and FGMM are getting it done in your rifle.