Advanced Marksmanship Best 308 Factory ammo?

[SOE_technician]

Hello SH,

Still pretty new hear but have been reading lots and learning too. I am a beginner/novice shooter and recently parted was with my old hunting rifle TIkka T3 308 and am the happy owner of a Savage 10fcp-sr W/5r rifling. these have a 1:10 twist
My question is what are yall's opinions on the best 308 factory rounds, I practice often and have a "competition" fund raiser with a group of my friends whom like me grew up shooting and over the past years have enjoyed the long range stuff but have all recently gone crazy for LRP. Anyways.... wheww sorrry wordy.
ATTACH=CONFIG]17983[/ATTACH] that's the new pride and joy




TO this point i have how only hornady 168 Amax Match and Vmax HTBT
So brand?
GRain?
all you can give me

 

[SOE_technician]

Correction I have been looking for this info some time but have not found it till just now since this rifle is not in production anymore and Savage does not have old info on their website....... it has a 1:11.25 twist. anyone else verify this for me? and now of course I am curious what grain bullet I should be looking into

 

[msmith64]

175 gr federal gold medal match seems to be the gold standard. I have great results with the 168 federal match but it falls apart around 700 yds

 

[SOE_technician]

175 gr federal gold medal match seems to be the gold standard. I have great results with the 168 federal match but it falls apart around 700 yds

falls apart? as in inconsistent to target ? seems to drop fast?
I ask because I shot my 168 Hornady's last wk and we shot out to 544yds approx. and my buddy was shooting a Howa 1500 and was able to dial in 10 MOA for dead hold I on the other hand was dialed up to 10.5 MOA and had to hold over 6inches..... I was unsure what was going on Logged it in my data book and hypothesized a bit, could it be wrong bullet for my gun? my gun is new perhaps his bore is tighter since he has reached a copper EQ ? Is my scope not tracking Correctly. Was odd to me because we dialed the same for targets out to 300 but then mine had to be different after that. Target was coke cans.

 

[George63]

angle of the boat tail on 168 SMK is blamed for poor transonic behavior - 168 Hornady is not 168 SMK - nothing wrong with either to 600yds

as far as the other ??? consider the value of any answer that could be given sight unseen for vague multi part inquiries

 

[SOE_technician]

angle of the boat tail on 168 SMK is blamed for poor transonic behavior - 168 Hornady is not 168 SMK - nothing wrong with either to 600yds

as far as the other ??? consider the value of any answer that could be given sight unseen for vague multi part inquiries

Yea they grouped fine actually really fine just was a different point of impact then i expected, but there a lots of factors it could have been.

 

[msmith64]

Sorry when I said falls apart I meant inconsistent groups and wide spreads. As mentioned above I have been told it is due to the bullet going transonic around 700 yds or so, I actually think it happens beyond 700 yds because I can get consistent hits out to 700 with the round but that's just my hunch.

 

[ksthomas]

It's usually going transonic somewhere between 8-900 yards, depending on local conditions. The 168 SMK was designed for international 300 Meter competition, and was never intended to be used at 1,000 yards. The 175 SMK was designed specifically to remain supersonic at 1,000, out of a 308 Win. Give it a starting speed of around 2625 or better, and it'll usually perform pretty well at that range.

 

[SOE_technician]

It's usually going transonic somewhere between 8-900 yards, depending on local conditions. The 168 SMK was designed for international 300 Meter competition, and was never intended to be used at 1,000 yards. The 175 SMK was designed specifically to remain supersonic at 1,000, out of a 308 Win. Give it a starting speed of around 2625 or better, and it'll usually perform pretty well at that range.

Thanks for the addition to the thread sir, and might I ask what do you feel is the best factory ammunition ? I created this because I am not able to get into reloading just yet.

 

[oneluckysob]

I've had good luck with FGGM 168 and 175 SMK's and also the amax 168 match offerings from hornady. If you haven't tried them yet try southwest ammunition's stuff, everything I've shot of their's has preformed very well.

 

[ptrlcop]

We tested multiple factory loads from several manufacturers and 168 hornady tap precision was the most consistent across a sample of five rifles. Since switching from federal gold medal we have also noticed less variance from lot to lot. Black hills shot bug holes in some of our guns but terribly in others.

I still think fgmm is the standard by which all others are measured, but you may be able to top it in your gun by testing other offerings.

 

[SOE_technician]

We tested multiple factory loads from several manufacturers and 168 hornady tap precision was the most consistent across a sample of five rifles. Since switching from federal gold medal we have also noticed less variance from lot to lot. Black hills shot bug holes in some of our guns but terribly in others.

I still think fgmm is the standard by which all others are measured, but you may be able to top it in your gun by testing other offerings.

Very cool, thanks for the input! I am going to do lots of testing and loging data to see what my rifle likes. Thanks.

 

[DroidSniper]

I have heard good things about the 178GR superperfomance ammo. Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 308 Win :: 308 Win 178 gr BTHP Superformance® Match™ better BC than the 168.

 

[Flying Goose]

Haven't tried the 178g Supers yet but I did some tests with the 150g and found that they were very inconsistent 75+/- fps was the range I found on the 150g Superperformance

 

[gstaylorg]

FWIW - I'd be very cautious using .308 Superformance ammo. There have been a number of posts here in the past regarding pressure spikes using it in bolt guns. I have personally destroyed a bolt in a DTA SRS Covert shooting it. Took 5-6 shots, then with no warning a blown primer and the bolt sleeve was cracked. I was aware of the issues others had reported, so I really can only blame myself for using it.

To the OP, there are a number of factors that should go into choosing among the many factory loads available. First, what is the maximum distance you intend to shoot? If it will be 600 yd or less, FGMM 168s are usually considered the gold standard for factory ammo, assuming they perform well out of your rifle. If you need to go farther, FGMM 175s are usually a good place to start.

Because occasionally you'll find a rifle that doesn't seem to care for the FGMM loads, there are plenty of other choices. Black Hills in 168/175 gr is usually pretty good, although their muzzle velocity extreme spreads tend to be much higher for me than are the FGMM values. I've also had pretty good luck shooting CorBon 175 and 190 gr SMK loads. They tend to be just a bit faster than other factory loads. If you're willing to part with some extra $$$ (particularly for a match), you might consider the ASYM 168 OTM or 175 SMK loads. It's loaded a little closer to handload specs than most factory ammo, but it's very pricey. On the other hand, when competing in a match (especially against your buddies), how much is winning worth? If you don't reload, you're limited by the quality of whatever you can buy, so it might be worth the extra coin when it counts.

Bottom line is that the rifle will tell you what it likes best. Trying a few different factory loads will usually get you one that works pretty well.

 

[Ronin47]

Black Hills and Federal Match 175 are the best factory ammunition we have found!

We have students show up all the time with Federal Match 168. Really no problems out to 800 yards, beyond that groups start to spread?

FWIW, we just finished a Long Range Precision Rifle course this past weekend. There were 3 students shooting Federal Match 168 and all made hits out to 1000 yards.

 

[SOE_technician]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I Got 3 boxes to test now Hornady 168 Match BTHP,this has been shooting very well but I want to see how it compares.
I also have a box of Black hills gold w/ Hornady 178 gr Amax , and a box of Federal GMM 175 w/ SMK BTHP. So this weekend I will be gathering all the data I can .

I have already begun looking at the finite parts acutal bullet Diameters, how deep they are seated, and their factory velocities and proposed ballistic charts. However I cant find a muzzle FPS or Ballistic chart at all on the black hills ? any help? I actually just made a post addressing this .

I did find that all the brands had different seating depths, and bullet diameter, I know I am splitting hairs but I'm a Science Major I over analyze everything... but it keeps me busy.

 

[FatherMorpheus]

I like Federal Gold Medal Match 7.62 (or .308) 175gr SMK HPBT so much, I actually built my hand loads to operate exactly like it. That way I can use my hand loads or a box of factory. It seems actually like a black magic round, it is just that good.

 

[SOE_technician]

I like Federal Gold Medal Match 7.62 (or .308) 175gr SMK HPBT so much, I actually built my hand loads to operate exactly like it. That way I can use my hand loads or a box of factory. It seems actually like a black magic round, it is just that good.

I hope it performs as well for me as I hear it does for everyone else. I have been using 168 hornady and some ADI w/168 SMK but wanted to try the heavier rounds with the higher BC see it if shows

 

[Enough Said]

Lapua?

Lapua anyone?

And guess what it's wrapped in... Yep. Lapua brass.

 

[Graham]

Best 308 Factory ammo?

There's lots [literally, lots] of good .308 factory match ammo. Don't over-think it.

 

[SOE_technician]

Lapua?

Lapua anyone?

And guess what it's wrapped in... Yep. Lapua brass.

Sorry I dont follow? is there a lapua cartridge I should try or .....

 

[SOE_technician]

There's lots [literally, lots] of good .308 factory match ammo. Don't over-think it.

Yes sir, I do realize. But since I don't have a means of reloading just yet. I am interested in experimenting with the different factory match loads and how they differ from one another, and what if any sizable impact those differences will display downrange for my rifle. One day soonish I hope to get the reloading going but till then I can only play with the other variables.

 

[Graham]

Buy whatever is available. You won't have much choice if you are buying now.

BTW, I once got a deal on Rem factory match 168 SMK ammo at $16 a box, and it hammered.


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[Enough Said]

If it's in a bright blue box with Lapua written on it, then you are holding some of the finest factory ammo money can buy. Take your pick all the way up to sub-sonic 200gr.

And they all come wrapped in...
Wait for it...



Lapua brass

 

[Graham]

Best 308 Factory ammo?

I once bought $750 worth of Lapua HPS: 2700fps instead of 2840fps and 1.5 MOA on a good day. And the -wait for it- Lapua brass, had the primers crimped so hard that I could barely swage the pockets enough to make the cases reloadable. Never again on my dime.

Most of the time it's good ammo, though.


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[The Lawn Ranger]

When I had a 308 bolt action, this is what shot best in mine.

.308 Winchester 175 HPBT Match .308 WInchester 175 Grain Sierra MatchKing BTHP [] - $27.99 : Copper Creek Cartridge Co.

second was FGGM.

 

[bmt]

FWIW:

I bought one box of Black Hills, One FGMM, One Hornady, all 175s.

The Black hills was best in my rifle. I never even looked back. A year afterward, I made a first round hit at 950 yards with s strong crosswind--I still wonder how I did that. Crazy accurate ammo in my rifle.

BMT

BMT

 

[Harvey]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I Got 3 boxes to test now Hornady 168 Match BTHP,this has been shooting very well but I want to see how it compares.

Indeed, the FGMM is likely the the most consistent (best?) shelf .308 ammo. Keep in mind that the ideal bullet weight (175-168 and up) will depend upon barrel length and twist. But Federal Gold Medal Match?

Yeah. +1 Now that the self-inflicted ammo shortage is over you can usually find it on sale somewhere for $23.95/20.

My Rem 700 in a 20" barrel 10" twist likes the lighter 175gr; my Rem 700 16" barrel will only eat the 168gr; while both rifles offering splendid groups.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

This site has had very good rapport with one of our sponsors, Southwest Ammo. You might want to contact them and discuss a bulk buy of something suitable yet economical.

Another place to look for ammo is Gunbot, but I can't say I have any experience of buying from their sources.

Greg

 

[Rhyno]

Mel over at sniper central did a test comparing different factory offerings his finding can be found here.

http://www.snipercentral.com/matchammo.htm

Mel was using two different rifles, and was a former sniper. It's a good read, but your results may vary a bit. I believe all testing was 168 grain pills.

 

[jkkfam89]

It depends on rifle. Corbon in 2 of my 308 rifles and hornady in another! Have to test with Your rifle to see. Best 308 ammo now for me is a .260 rem!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I've been evaluating steelcase .223 ammo lately, mostly TulAmmo. The factory load is OK for SHTF ammo, but the cases are boxer primed, and I have reloaded them very successfully, as well as pulling down the factory loads and redoing them with my match recipe. Both the pull downs and reloads shoot quite well; enough so for me to consider trying the Hornady Steelcase Match. Just something else to consider. Some fairly extensive shooting with the steel cases in my Stag AR have failed to uncover any issues that are unique to the steel cases.

I have also reworked some x54R Russian Steelcase Surplus ala 'Mexican Match' with mixed results, the poorer ones probably part of a learning curve on my part.

Greg

 

[FunkBass2008]

I've had decent luck with 175 Black Hills, the 168 Federal didn't do so well in my 26" 1:11.25. My reloads blew them both away. The factory stuff is usually loaded on the conservative side as far as muzzle velocity goes too.

 

[SOE_technician]

I've had decent luck with 175 Black Hills, the 168 Federal didn't do so well in my 26" 1:11.25. My reloads blew them both away. The factory stuff is usually loaded on the conservative side as far as muzzle velocity goes too.

what bullets in ur reloads?

 

[bonesaw5]

This site has had very good rapport with one of our sponsors, Southwest Ammo. You might want to contact them and discuss a bulk buy of something suitable yet economical.

Another place to look for ammo is Gunbot, but I can't say I have any experience of buying from their sources.

Greg

I wouldn't bulk buy shit, until I know my rifle loved the ammo....