I've been driving .308 Win 165gr Hornady AMAX through my 700P for around $25/20rnds but at a local gunshow a couple weeks back a vendor was selling 168gr Sierra MK HPBT FGMM for $17/20. The price definitely tripped me out and was a little wary of how well it performs so I started looking around and saw GAP was recommending it for their builds and saw some pretty tight groups from it. So my question is whether it is worth switching over from Hornady as the rifle is only my daily driver and more of an economy-oriented? The range I usually shoot at only goes to 300yrds (CA, gotta love it), and as an amateur shooter I'm just focusing on getting the fundamentals solid at 100yrds before really trying to venture farther out in earnest so I don't see the 100fps MV drop as being a problem.
Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
- Thread starter rideHPD
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Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
Federal Gold Medal Match (FGMM) is the standard generally by which all other match ammo is judged. It is pretty uniformally consistent and capable of producing extremely good accuracy if the rifle and the shooter are also capable. $17/box of 20 is as cheap as you'll find it anywhere. Actually $18/box + S&H is the cheapest I have heard of until your post. For 300yds, the 168gr stuff is great.
If you can get more for that price, I'd buy all you can get and not look back. Not to question the Hornady ammo which is also good stuff, but considering you can essentially buy 3 boxes (60 rounds) of the FGMM for the same price as 2 boxes (40 rounds) of the Hornady...it'd be a no-brainer for me.
Federal Gold Medal Match (FGMM) is the standard generally by which all other match ammo is judged. It is pretty uniformally consistent and capable of producing extremely good accuracy if the rifle and the shooter are also capable. $17/box of 20 is as cheap as you'll find it anywhere. Actually $18/box + S&H is the cheapest I have heard of until your post. For 300yds, the 168gr stuff is great.
If you can get more for that price, I'd buy all you can get and not look back. Not to question the Hornady ammo which is also good stuff, but considering you can essentially buy 3 boxes (60 rounds) of the FGMM for the same price as 2 boxes (40 rounds) of the Hornady...it'd be a no-brainer for me.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
That's pretty much what I had come to, I just try to run everything by here to see if I missed anything, thanks for the time.
That's pretty much what I had come to, I just try to run everything by here to see if I missed anything, thanks for the time.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
I've had great results with both, but if I'm not using handloads I use Amax because they are a lot cheaper here.
I've had great results with both, but if I'm not using handloads I use Amax because they are a lot cheaper here.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
I used to live by the Federal plant in MN but they wouldn't hand out freebies at the door
I'll use FGMM until I start reloading my own, and even then I could probably use it as a decent stand-in for hand loads. I've probably been through 500+ rounds and haven't had any flyers that couldn't be attributed to CCB, a sneeze, or something else. That's not a bad track record.
I use Federal blue-box stuff for break-ins and because its brass is probably the same.
I used to live by the Federal plant in MN but they wouldn't hand out freebies at the door
I'll use FGMM until I start reloading my own, and even then I could probably use it as a decent stand-in for hand loads. I've probably been through 500+ rounds and haven't had any flyers that couldn't be attributed to CCB, a sneeze, or something else. That's not a bad track record.
I use Federal blue-box stuff for break-ins and because its brass is probably the same.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
At 4500ft Density Altitude HSM 168gr Hornady A-MAX were ringing steel plate at 1000 yards just fine (still supersonic).
At 4500ft Density Altitude HSM 168gr Hornady A-MAX were ringing steel plate at 1000 yards just fine (still supersonic).
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
My bartlein likes the 178 amax a little more which makes me happy since they are a little cheaper then 175 SMKs.
I have totally made the switch.
My bartlein likes the 178 amax a little more which makes me happy since they are a little cheaper then 175 SMKs.
I have totally made the switch.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
The Amax has better terminal ballistics I believe. Paper punch and hunt/protection with it. I have seen outstanding accuracy from both.
The Amax has better terminal ballistics I believe. Paper punch and hunt/protection with it. I have seen outstanding accuracy from both.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
Let the gun tell you which to shoot for accuracy. I'd take an amax bullet over SMK for doing something other than punching paper.
Let the gun tell you which to shoot for accuracy. I'd take an amax bullet over SMK for doing something other than punching paper.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
You should be asking your rifle this question not us
If both perform equally for you, I would take the AMAX over the SMK.
Keep your powder dry,
Goat
You should be asking your rifle this question not us
If both perform equally for you, I would take the AMAX over the SMK.
Keep your powder dry,
Goat
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
i have some AMAX Superformance match i want to try, my gun already shoots the 168 and 175 FGMM damn near perfect, so im not expecting much of an improvement.
i have some 180 grain AMAXs i want to load up for hunting. i think they will be a great hunting round.
i have some AMAX Superformance match i want to try, my gun already shoots the 168 and 175 FGMM damn near perfect, so im not expecting much of an improvement.
i have some 180 grain AMAXs i want to load up for hunting. i think they will be a great hunting round.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
My gun loves the FGMM, I have not been able to duplicate a hand load that shoots consistently as good!! Are you in San Diego?
Diego
My gun loves the FGMM, I have not been able to duplicate a hand load that shoots consistently as good!! Are you in San Diego?
Diego
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
Its six of one and half dozen of the others for my gun.
Its six of one and half dozen of the others for my gun.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tango__Down</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Let the gun tell you which to shoot for accuracy. I'd take an amax bullet over SMK for doing something other than punching paper. </div></div>
That's exactly what I did, and the "rifle" really hated it. I'm going to give another (read fair) shot, as I tested it with a pretty fouled barrel and a sore shoulder and didn't drive the rifle as consistently as is within my ability.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diego-ted</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My gun loves the FGMM, I have not been able to duplicate a hand load that shoots consistently as good!! Are you in San Diego?
Diego</div></div>
I am, usually down at South Bay Rod and Gun when I'm at the range. Late response yes, I forgot about this post and have been pretty busy. And to all thanks for the information.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tango__Down</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Let the gun tell you which to shoot for accuracy. I'd take an amax bullet over SMK for doing something other than punching paper. </div></div>
That's exactly what I did, and the "rifle" really hated it. I'm going to give another (read fair) shot, as I tested it with a pretty fouled barrel and a sore shoulder and didn't drive the rifle as consistently as is within my ability.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diego-ted</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My gun loves the FGMM, I have not been able to duplicate a hand load that shoots consistently as good!! Are you in San Diego?
Diego</div></div>
I am, usually down at South Bay Rod and Gun when I'm at the range. Late response yes, I forgot about this post and have been pretty busy. And to all thanks for the information.
Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
The only way to tell which ammo is best for you rifle is to shoot it. One rifle may like it while another does not. For me in my 308 bolt guns, M1A's, and 300WSM, they all prefer the Amax. It's about a 1/4" difference between the two at 100yds when zeroing and doing load developent.
The only way to tell which ammo is best for you rifle is to shoot it. One rifle may like it while another does not. For me in my 308 bolt guns, M1A's, and 300WSM, they all prefer the Amax. It's about a 1/4" difference between the two at 100yds when zeroing and doing load developent.
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Re: Hornady AMAX Match vs. Federal Gold Medal Match
My TRG loved the FGMM in 175gr SMK. It HATED the Hornady 178gr BTHPM Superformance. In fact, it was blowing primers out of the brass from TWO different lots. The FGMM shot several 5-shot groups I could cover with a dime, and never looked back. In fact, as a dealer, Hornady took back over 800 rounds of their Superformance ammo from me, and didn't argue a word about it. That tells me something right there, IMO. Hornady may be good ammo, but I'll not shoot it again in my guns. Also, with the sales that seem to be out there right now, I can't really see how the Hornady is all that much cheaper than the Federal. YMMV.
My TRG loved the FGMM in 175gr SMK. It HATED the Hornady 178gr BTHPM Superformance. In fact, it was blowing primers out of the brass from TWO different lots. The FGMM shot several 5-shot groups I could cover with a dime, and never looked back. In fact, as a dealer, Hornady took back over 800 rounds of their Superformance ammo from me, and didn't argue a word about it. That tells me something right there, IMO. Hornady may be good ammo, but I'll not shoot it again in my guns. Also, with the sales that seem to be out there right now, I can't really see how the Hornady is all that much cheaper than the Federal. YMMV.
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