Re: Handload or just shoot 175 FGMM? .308
I appreciate your reply, but I did not post "what are you trying to accomplish" so I can earn a pat on the back. I'm interested in what he had to say.
For clarification, I strongly disagree with your strongly disagree comment...you forgot the press, thrower, dies...people get too caught up in $ per round. If you keep accurate record of the dollars you spend on reloading as a whole, most people spend more on reloading than on just buying the ammo and shooting it. I can buy my 338 lapua ammo for $7 per round or i can reload it for $1.20 or so, is that an accurate breakdown of cost...absolutely not!
That's a bold statment about your vintage 700 shooting 1/2 MOA with factory ammo. the problem with most Remington's out there is they set the rifling too far out, which absolutely ruins accuracy. It does not allow the average reloader to have the catridge OAL accidentally set too long which would cause pressure problems. So they sacrifice accuracy for liability purposes. When i first got my 700, i put some federal gold through it and the accuracy was not MOA, it had nothing to do with my gun being worn out. I started reloading and .3 to .6 MOA is were i a now with bullets set out to 2.920"+ OAL... Your vintage may be a needle in a haystack rifle, but I think what you're saying is a bit of a strech.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YAOG</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: precisionshutr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what are you trying to accomplish?</div></div>
Good question. The OP has not posted what he hoped to achieve but ammo cost seems to be a big issue for him per his posts.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: precisionshutr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if it's just a cost issue, buy the FGMM and don't think twice.</div></div>
I strongly disagree. Did you read the OP's posts or others in this thread? Even using the highest quality reloading components the cost of .308Win ammo is half the price of the best deal to be had for 175SMK FGMM even starting with new brass and tossing them out only half used.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: precisionshutr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if your preparing to buy 500 to 1000 rounds, i doubt it's accuracy. I reload, I wouldn't bother shooting any of my bolt guns if i didn't. I've never achieved sub MOA with any factory ammo, i get closer to 1/2 MOA with handloads, and i love the hobby. I'm assuming you're shooting it out of a semi auto configuration and a marginal level of accuracy is ok, then go with the FGMM... </div></div>
I can't say for EVERY Tac-Ops rifle out there but the Tac-Ops X-Ray we are reloading for shoots WELL under 1/4MOA on 175SMK FGMM. Heck, my 1970's vintage Remington 700 Varmint special out of the box was well under 1/2MOA on factory fodder and closer to 1/4MOA with minor tuning work and handloads. If your bolt gun with factory ammo is not shooting at least sub MOA your bolt gun is worn out, out of spec or the problem is not the with the rifle or ammo.
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