Ordered a case of 168 FGMM from SGammo and pulled a round apart. 40 grains of an extruded powder. Very black and short granules. Is this IMR 3031 by chance?
Current 168 FGMM powder
- Thread starter FredHammer
- Start date
I’ve got that on hand. This powder looks nothing like it, plus the charge weight is 2-2.5gr lower than what’s been reported for IMR 4064.
My deconstruction that appeared to be 4064 ran right at 43 grains. It also matches up with my 43 gr load of 4064 in LC brass.
Ammunition manufacturers usually use non canister grade powders.
It may look very similar or have similar charge weights to certain powders but have different properties by its formulation for thier spec.
Unless it's printed on the box what it is or you've attained the info from the manufacturer I wouldn't trust a guess.
It may look very similar or have similar charge weights to certain powders but have different properties by its formulation for thier spec.
Unless it's printed on the box what it is or you've attained the info from the manufacturer I wouldn't trust a guess.
I would like to know also, since I have been unable to replicate the outstanding current batches of FGMM 168. I can't load anything recently that comes close in my gas gun. About to throw all my reloading gear away and buy FGMM by the case. It's amazing how a 16.00 box of factory ammo surpasses every single one of my .308 loads.
It just happens that I found a discarded 168 FGMM round in the dirt today. I just pulled it apart and found 39.9grs of a short kernel extruded powder inside.
It’s gotta be something similar to 3031.
You can easily replicate this cuz 3031 was used in FGMM factory loads back in the day.
It’s gotta be something similar to 3031.
You can easily replicate this cuz 3031 was used in FGMM factory loads back in the day.
So I went digging in my ammo stash and found another one but it had 41 grains of the same powder. I reduced it to 39.9 so I could have two of the same. I also found 5 more that had 43grs of 4064. Must be older.
I compared the 39.9gr powder to AR Comp and 4166. It is definitely not 4166. It looks like AR Comp based on the kernel length and diameter. Similar bulk density as well.
I loaded 39.9grs of AR Comp and 4166 in FC cases. We’ll see.
I compared the 39.9gr powder to AR Comp and 4166. It is definitely not 4166. It looks like AR Comp based on the kernel length and diameter. Similar bulk density as well.
I loaded 39.9grs of AR Comp and 4166 in FC cases. We’ll see.
I shot AR Comp under 168’s today. And I fucked up an mislabeled my rounds so I will have to do a doover:
Attachments
Last edited:
Well, if they aren’t using 4166 maybe they should! What length barrel were you shooting? Match chamber?
The other day I mislabeled the 4166 and AR Comp rounds. I thunk hard and decided to do a doover because there is no way you can have a 200 FPS spread within 1 grain of powder in the 308.
Therefore:
So it’s definitely not 4166 based on the physical appearance of the powder and the velocity.
But it could be AR Comp. Looks the same and the velocity is similar.
Sorry for the confusion.
Therefore:
So it’s definitely not 4166 based on the physical appearance of the powder and the velocity.
But it could be AR Comp. Looks the same and the velocity is similar.
Sorry for the confusion.
AR Comp has become one of my favorite 308 Win. powders. I get great accuracy, velocity and great ES's with 155's,168's and 175-178's.
In the 223, It's been a bit more finicky so far.
In the 223, It's been a bit more finicky so far.
I have a AR comp load with 77s in the 22 grain range that shoots really well.
8208XBR did shoot better though.
918v,
Wow. That is a nice workup. Thanks for chasing this down. While we will never know for sure I believe you found a great load. What COAL length were you using?
Wow. That is a nice workup. Thanks for chasing this down. While we will never know for sure I believe you found a great load. What COAL length were you using?
If you were stuck with a 20" 1n12 twist what would be your choice for 168 Berger Hybrids and a 175g ( your choice) bullet?
I am currently using the 8lbs of XBR I have and plan on trying RL15 and BLC for the 168s. XBR is getting me 2690 fps according to Magnetospeed @ 5,000' elevation and meters well from the powder thrower I have ,I'm hoping BLC will get me a little more fps but I will not sacrifice my current SD/ES with XBR! RL15 interests me !
I am currently using the 8lbs of XBR I have and plan on trying RL15 and BLC for the 168s. XBR is getting me 2690 fps according to Magnetospeed @ 5,000' elevation and meters well from the powder thrower I have ,I'm hoping BLC will get me a little more fps but I will not sacrifice my current SD/ES with XBR! RL15 interests me !
I’m getting 2780 FPS with 44.8grs of Varget in a Hornady Match case (165gr) under 168ELD @ 2.830” from my 26” barrel, so you should see about 2700. I went as high as 45.8grs before I got pressure signs. That’s my choice for 168/175 in the 308. I’ve been using Varget for 20 years and keep going back to it.
Although 2000MR intrigues me. There’s a pretty good thread on this site where someone is getting 100 FPS more than Varget and the temp stability is decent, about .5 FPS per degree. Maybe that’s the powder for you.
Although 2000MR intrigues me. There’s a pretty good thread on this site where someone is getting 100 FPS more than Varget and the temp stability is decent, about .5 FPS per degree. Maybe that’s the powder for you.
Damn 918V you greatly contributed to my posting. Sorry for such late response, but I’ve been dormant for a spell.
In my absence I found my RPR rifle likes 175SMK and 42gr IMR 4064. Lapua case and WLR primer. Seated mag length at 2.805”.
I ran the 168 FGMM through my AR10 build 18” barrel and got sub minute to minute groups. MV ave was 2440s.
In my absence I found my RPR rifle likes 175SMK and 42gr IMR 4064. Lapua case and WLR primer. Seated mag length at 2.805”.
I ran the 168 FGMM through my AR10 build 18” barrel and got sub minute to minute groups. MV ave was 2440s.
